Throat infection behind her, Dunbar Road makes return in Shuvee

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Dunbar Road returns to the site of her biggest victory Sunday as she tries to get her first victory in a year when she runs in the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Stakes for older fillies and mares at Saratoga.

Dunbar Road, a 5-year-old daughter of Quality Road owned by Peter Brant and trained by Chad Brown, won the Grade 1 Alabama here in 2019. She had a promising start to her 4-year-old career with a stakes win at Churchill Downs and the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap. Dunbar Road had a throat issue last year, but she finished her campaign with a solid third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff behind Monomoy Girl and Point of Honor.

In her lone start this year, Dunbar Road finished fifth, beaten four lengths by Shedaresthedevil, in the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs. Shortly afterward, Dunbar Road was diagnosed with a throat infection that landed her in an equine clinic.

“I was quite worried about her for a while,” Brown said. “She’s had a good string of works now. I expect her to run pretty good.”

Dunbar Road, who breaks from post 4 under Irad Ortiz Jr., is one of three entered by Brown in this race.

Royal Flag finished second to Letruska in this race last year. She ended 2020 with a 2 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm at Aqueduct. In her lone start this year, Royal Flag was beaten a head by Bonny South in the Grade 2 Doubledogdare at Keeneland on April 16. Graceful Princess, the third-place finisher in that race, won last weekend’s Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park.

Brown said Royal Flag was one of several horses in his care that was impacted by a virus that went through the barn during the spring.

“She was one of the ones that got it, and it knocked her out a bit,” Brown said. “She’s been training well of late.”

Royal Flag, a 5-year-old daughter of Candy Ride, has never finished worse than third in nine career starts.

Brown also sends out Gold Spirit, a Chilean-bred filly who hasn’t raced since December in her native country. She has beaten males in group races back home and has trained well enough for Brown to give her a shot here.

Both Dunbar Road and Royal Flag figure to benefit from the seeming presence of ample speed in the field. Crystal Ball, narrowly beaten by Paris Lights in last year’s Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, won three straight races including the Lady Jacqueline Stakes at Thistledown. She figures to be part of the pace along with Antoinette and/or Horologist, the latter two trained by Bill Mott. Liberty M D, who is 2 for 2, also may be a forward factor.

Antoinette has had more success on turf than dirt, but is coming off a second-place finish behind Letruska in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs.

“Her speed figures are actually better on dirt if that means anything,” Mott said.

Mott also felt that Horologist being taken back in her last two starts compromised her chances.

The Shuvee, a stepping-stone to the Grade 1 Personal Ensign here Aug. 28, goes as race 9 on a 10-race card.