Shedaresthedevil Wins Azeri in 4-Year-Old Debut
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Photo: Coady Photography
Shedaresthedevil wins the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park
The $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park is considered the natural stepping stone for older fillies and mares to the richer $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) next month at the Hot Springs, Ark., racetrack.
Yet after 2020 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Shedaresthedevil narrowly captured the March 13 renewal of the Azeri over favored Letruska there was talk of Kentucky in the air.
"The La Troienne (Stakes, G1, April 30 at Churchill Downs) is the next spot that makes the most sense," said Brad Cox, who trains the 4-year-old daughter of Daredevil for Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stables, and Big Aut Farms. "She ran really hard today. I thought she was getting a little tired at the end but it was a very good filly she held off. We'll watch her, but timing wise, the La Troienne makes the most sense."
Cox then added a rather profound "and."
"And," he said, "obviously we don't want to bump heads with Monomoy Girl right now."
Yes, Cox is in the enviable position of training both Shedaresthedevil and Monomoy Girl, the two-time Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner who is targeting the April 17 Apple Blossom.
In a perfect world, the Distaff would be a grand time for Shedaresthedevil and Monomoy Girl, last year's champion older dirt female, to butt heads. But before that, Cox's most recent Kentucky Oaks winner seems poised for a stellar 4-year-old campaign based on a gritty victory in her first race since a third in the Oct. 4 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1).
"It was a good race off the layoff," Cox said. "Hopefully she can move forward off it. We kind of rushed her to make this, but it worked out."
The victory in her 4-year-old debut was the sixth in 12 starts for Shedaresthedevil, who was purchased for $280,000 by Flurry Racing Stables from Hunter Valley Farm's consignment to the 2019 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Out of the Congrats mare Starship Warpspeed, the half sister to the grade 3 placed Mojovation has now earned $1,503,518.
Starship Warpspeed, who has produced four winners from four foals to race, also has three unraced daughters: Jemison, an Outwork 3-year-old; Blackheartedgypsy, a Speightster 2-year-old; and an Exaggerator yearling.
Letruska figured to be the early leader in the 1 1/16-mile Azeri, but Florent Geroux and Shedaresthedevil broke quickly and grabbed a 1 1/2-length advantage after a half-mile in :47.79 with Envoutante and Letruska right behind her.
Those two took a run at the leader on the final turn and reached her flank but were unable to reel her in. St. George Stable's 5-year-old Letruska, the 3-2 favorite, posted the biggest threat in the stretch, cutting the lead to a half-length at the eighth pole and slowly gaining on Shedaresthedevil ($5.60) in the final yards, but the wire popped up in time for the 8-5 second choice.
The final time was 1:42.57.
Letruska finished two lengths ahead of The Elkstone Group's Getridofwhatailesu, a 5-year-old trained by Cox.
"We caught a flyer out of the gate," Geroux said. "I was expecting Letruska to lead all the way. I don't know if she didn't break fast enough or stumbled, but we inherited the lead and I just took it from there. My filly is extremely talented. You want to slow her down, just keep her in a nice rhythm. Turning for home, she gave me everything she had. She maybe got a little bit tired down the lane, but it was good for her first race off the break.
"I don't think she was 100% cranked up for this. We have hopes for a big year with her."