Stanwyck looks sharp for Shuvee
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Stanwyck won last fall’s Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm Handicap at Belmont at 21-1, trainer John Shirreffs said she really thrived while training at Saratoga.
On Sunday, Shirreffs hopes that trend continues when Stanwyck runs in the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles.
Stanwyck, a 5-year-old daughter of Empire Maker, will be making her first start since April 11, when she finished third behind Close Hatches and On Fire Baby in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.
“She really blossomed up here,” said Shirreffs, who won his first race of the meet Thursday with the good-looking mare Katie’s Garden. “She turned her form around when she came up here. She ran well at Santa Anita, she ran in graded company, so that was a big improvement for her. She just continued along that vein.”
Stanwyck will break from post 5 under Joel Rosario.
Antipathy was a 30-1 longshot when she finished a neck behind Close Hatches and Princess of Sylmar in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park on June 7. Prior to that, she finished second to Belle Gallantey in a second-level allowance race at Belmont on May 1. Belle Gallantey won the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap in her next start.
Antipathy figures to be the primary speed in the Shuvee, run at 1 1/8 miles and the local prep for the Grade 1 Personal Ensign here Aug. 22.
Flashy American, second to Authenticity in last year’s running, was entered in the Shuvee, as were Unlimited Budget, Hot Stones, Swinger’s Party and Ambusher.