Wavell Avenue looks to get back on track in Shine Again
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Wavell Avenue ran in the Shine Again Stakes in 2015, she was no better than the second choice in the wagering and managed only a fourth-place finish. Few would have predicted then that 87 days later she would win the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Wavell Avenue will be back in the $100,000 Shine Again at Saratoga on Wednesday, looking to jump-start a campaign with the goal of returning to the Breeders’ Cup.
The Shine Again, at seven furlongs, is restricted to fillies and mares who have not won a graded stakes in 2016. Wavell Avenue has competed in three graded events this year, finishing third in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland, fourth in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs, and, most recently, second in the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses Handicap at Belmont Park.
Trainer Chad Brown could have run Wavell Avenue in last week’s Grade 2 Honorable Miss here at six furlongs but preferred the extra week and extra furlong of the Shine Again.
“I like the fact we gave her an extra week after such a strong number she ran in her last start,” Brown said.
Despite breaking from post 2 in the Bed o’ Roses, Wavell Avenue was five wide down the backstretch, four wide around the turn, and six wide in the stretch. Meanwhile, By the Moon split horses in the stretch and beat Wavell Avenue by 1 3/4 lengths.
The pace was quite pedestrian in the Bed o’ Roses but looks to be livelier in the Shine Again, with West Coast Chick and Momameamaria among the front-runners in the field.
“There should be enough speed in there,” Brown said.
Promise Me Silver, a winner of 10 of 13 career starts, also has speed and is coming off two confidence-building stakes wins at Louisiana Downs and Lone Star following an extended layoff.
The wild card in the field is Linda Linda, who makes her seasonal and U.S. debut after going 4 for 7 in Chile. The Dream, a filly she beat in Chile last fall, was beaten 22 lengths by Stellar Wind in Saturday’s Grade 1 Clement Hirsch at Del Mar.
KEY CONTENDERS
Wavell Avenue, by Harlington
Last 3 Beyers: 92-87-96
◗ Gets some class relief after running in three straight graded stakes, losing them all, including two as the favorite.
◗ Compromised by a wide trip in the Bed o’ Roses, where she also gave the winner six pounds.
◗ Did win an allowance here last summer.
Promise Me Silver, by Silver City
Last 3 Beyers: 93-82-59
◗ An eight-time stakes winner, she finished last in the Grade 2 Prioress here last summer.
◗ Returned from an eight-month layoff with two wins against inferior competition in Louisiana and Texas.
“She’s a filly that won her first eight in a row, then she got off track,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “I let her stay down there, get her confidence built up. With a couple of easy races in her, now we’ll see where we’re at.”
Theophilia, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 80-83-85
◗ Won 3 of 4 starts before going to the sidelines last fall.
◗ This will be her first start in 271 days. She won a seven-furlong maiden race here last summer off a 294-day layoff for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.