Saratoga Sunday: Pletcher Seeks Record, Clairiere Defends Title

Stakes action continues on Sunday at Saratoga with the running of the Shuvee. The field is short on numbers but not on talent with Clairiere and Nest ready to face off.

Shuvee Stakes

The Shuvee Stakes, held at Saratoga Race Course, is a Grade III race that attracts top fillies and mares aged three years and older. Named after the remarkable mare Shuvee, who won the race in consecutive years in 1970 and 1971, this event showcases the finest female talent in horse racing.

Recent Champions

In recent years, the Shuvee Stakes has seen some impressive winners. Past champions include stars such as Midnight Bisou, who captured the race in 2019 with a breathtaking display of talent.

Before her, Blue Prize emerged victorious in 2018, displaying her exceptional abilities and cementing her status as one of the top mares in the country. The Shuvee Stakes has consistently been a battleground for exceptional fillies and mares, making it a highly anticipated race on the summer racing calendar.

Successful Connections in the Shuvee

Throughout the history of the Shuvee Stakes, several jockeys and trainers have achieved remarkable success in the race. Leading jockeys like Mike E. Smith, Javier Castellano, and John Velazquez have all notched multiple victories in the Shuvee, demonstrating their expertise in guiding these elite equine athletes to triumph.

Among trainers, Todd Pletcher stands out as a prominent figure, boasting 4 wins in the race. One more would tie him with the late Allen Jerkins for the most wins in Shuvee history. Pletcher sends out Nest on Sunday.

Sunday Saratoga Full Card Analysis

Saratoga Race Course – Race 1

Post: 1:10 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #13 BUCHU (6-1) is expected to improve off the first start and gets the top selection. She has shown consistency in recent races and should be ready to run a big one here. This one will be closing strongly and possesses a good kick that could secure victory.
• #2 HARD TO JUSTIFY (7-2) is making her debut and could be a contender in this race. With the combination of trainer Brown and jockey Prat, she demands respect.
• #3 LOOKS FIRST (10-1) offers value and appears to be a fringe contender in this spot. She has shown enough promise to challenge this field. This one is likely to sit mid-pack and make a late surge.
• #10 SINTRA (6-1) is another runner expected to improve from her first start and can be considered a fringe contender. Her speed figures make her a logical choice. This one enters the race in excellent form.

Selections: 13 – 2 – 3 – 10

Saratoga Race Course – Race 2

Post: 1:46 PM ET; $149.5k Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 SLIP MAHONEY (2-1) is the top pick. He has displayed strong performances to beat this group. This one has been consistently competitive and should be ready for a big race here.
• #3 SET SAIL (5-2) is also a strong contender. He has competitive speed figures.
• #5 TOP SECRET (7-2) is a good choice for exotic bets. He tends to run evenly and is expected to get a fair pace scenario. With trainer Asmussen and jockey Rosario, he poses a threat.
• #4 MOUNT UP (3-1) is another one to consider for exotic bets. With trainer Pletcher and jockey Ortiz, he enters the race in good form.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 5 – 4

Saratoga Race Course – Race 3

Post: 2:25 PM ET; $100k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 9

• #7 GET THE CANDY (2-1) looks best here. She seems to fit well in this field.
• #3 PALACE GOSSIP (7-2) is a strong contender and the class of the field. She has shown performances good enough to beat this group.
• #1 HOWDYOUMAKEURMONEY (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She has displayed performances good enough to challenge this field. This one is projected to sit mid-pack and make a late run.
• #5 SOCIAL WHIRL (10-1) offers value and could be a fringe contender. She will likely be among the front runners and should have a chance late.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 1 – 5

Saratoga Race Course – Race 4

Post: 3:00 PM ET; $200k Shuvee S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 4

• #2 NEST (4-5) gets the top selection. She has been consistently strong in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance here. This one appears to be well-suited for this race.
• #4 CLAIRIERE (3-5) should be competitive in this spot. She has solid speed figures and has been performing well lately. This one is likely to be a strong contender.
• #1 SKRATCH KAT (20-1) is a longshot and might compete for minor placings in this contest. With trainer Bauer and jockey Gaffalione, this one enters the race in good form.
• #3 PISTOL LIZ ABLAZEN (15-1) is another longshot that might contend for minor placings. She could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 1 – 3

Saratoga Race Course – Race 5

Post: 3:33 PM ET; $36k Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #8 PRINTRACK (12-1) is the top pick. He has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 DURKIN’S CALL (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one runs evenly and should benefit from a fair pace scenario.
• #7 THREE TWO ZONE (12-1) is a value pick and looks to be a major player in this race. He has competitive speed figures and a strong overall power rating.
• #3 WINNING DRIVE (12-1) offers value and should be competitive in this spot. He has shown performances good enough to challenge this group. This one has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 8 – 1 – 7 – 3

Saratoga Race Course – Race 6

Post: 4:06 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #2 MYSTICAL CHANT (5-1) is expected to improve from her first start and looks best here. She has been consistently solid in recent races and should be ready for a big effort. This one makes sense based on speed figures.
• #1 CANDY LOVER (10-1) is a value pick and should be competitive in this spot. She has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #10 CAMERA (5-2) is making her debut and could be a contender in this race. She goes out for trainer Pletcher and jockey Ortiz.
• #9 SAM’S TREASURE (6-1) is expected to improve from her first start and should be a fringe contender. With trainer Ward and jockey Ortiz, she has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 10 – 9

Saratoga Race Course – Race 7

Post: 4:39 PM ET; $50k Starter Allowance going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 COLONEL BOWMAN (6-5) gets the top selection. He has solid early pace figures in a race that lacks a ton of front running speed. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders.
• #5 CARAMEL CHIP (3-1) is a strong contender. He has solid early pace figures in a race that lacks a ton of front running speed. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #9 FLOAT ON (15-1) offers value and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #7 GLORY ROAD (6-1) is a value pick and seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 9 – 7

Saratoga Race Course – Race 8

Post: 5:14 PM ET; $64k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 11

• #11 PEACE SEEKER (6-1) is the top pick. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run.
• #7 R CALLI KIM (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has shown performances good enough to beat this group.
• #3 LINNY KATE (20-1) offers value and should be competitive in this spot. She seems to fit well enough here. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #6 BLUE TIMES (4-1) is a value pick and seems to be a fringe contender in this spot. She seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 11 – 7 – 3 – 6

Saratoga Race Course – Race 9

Post: 5:47 PM ET; $100k Allowance Optional Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 MAJORITY PARTNER (9-5) looks best here. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Rice and Lezcano. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 BIG ENGINE (3-1) is a strong contender. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #7 OCEAN’S RESERVE (6-1) is a value pick and isn’t without hope. He goes out for the Gyarmati barn and gets Castellano in the irons.
• #8 THRILL OF IT (8-1) is a value pick and isn’t without hope. He seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 7 – 8

Saratoga Race Course – Race 10

Post: 6:20 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 16

• #8 LAKESIDE GETAWAY (5-1) gets the top selection. She has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 RED BUTTERFLY (6-1) is a strong contender. She should be competitive in this spot and makes sense on speed figures. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #4 THREE GIRLS (4-1) is a strong contender. She should be competitive in this spot and shouldn’t have trouble with the 5 1/2 furlong distance. This one runs evenly and should benefit from a fair pace scenario.
• #6 MO DAMORNINGGROUCH (10-1) offers value and should be competitive in this spot. She has shown performances good enough to challenge this group, and her consistent pace figures should work well in a moderately paced race.