Shivaree shines in Buffalo Man

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Among the best stories on last Saturday’s Juvenile Showcase program was the game victory by Shivaree in the $75,000 Buffalo Man Stakes.

Not only did Shivaree reassert himself after being passed on the lead by even-money Went West a furlong from the finish line to register a neck decision, he did so while competing on just one week’s rest, having won his maiden just seven days earlier at Gulfstream Park West. Shivaree, a homebred son of Awesome of Course owned by Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm, is a half-brother to stakes winner Garter and Tie. He covered the six furlongs in 1:09.42 and received a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure for his effort in the Buffalo Man.

“When I saw him make the lead, it was – was he good enough from there?” trainer Ralph Nicks said. “When the other horse collared him and stuck his neck in front, it was – he may be second best. But Fred teaches them to run. They’re trained to be tough. They don’t quit.”

Nicks made one obvious comparison between Shivaree and older brother Garter and Tie right off the bat.

“Garter and Tie came around a little earlier, but it was his fourth one before he broke his maiden,” Nicks said. “And it was this horse’s fifth start before he got his first win. It’s the family. They get better later.”

Nicks said he’ll take a wait-and-see attitude regarding Shivaree’s next start, although he guaranteed he won’t come back in one week this time.

“We’ll see what this takes out of him,” Nicks said. “He’s had two tough races back to back. He won by a lot at Gulfstream West, but he was ridden out and he ran fast, seven furlongs in 1:23. And he ran 9-and-2 today. His feet might have to cool off a little bit.”