Shedaresthedevil, Swiss Skydiver Rematch in Phipps

A nine-month wait for a rematch of last September's Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), a race in which Shedaresthedevil  defeated Swiss Skydiver , has at last arrived.

The two 4-year-old fillies meet June 5 in the $500,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park as part of a stellar lineup of six older fillies and mares. Also entered in the 1 1/16-mile race are Letruska , Queen Nekia , Water White , and Bonny South . Valiance  was entered but will not race due to a temperature, according to a Daily Racing Form report issued June 3.

Though the seven original entrants collectively won 50 races and more than $7 million, none of Saturday's competitors is a winner at Belmont. Only three—Letruska, Queen Nekia, and Water White—have even raced at the local main track, where 1 1/16-mile routes are around one turn.

"I'm a little concerned because it's not her routine. It's a little bit different," said Swiss Skydiver's trainer, Kenny McPeek. "But she's doing super and it's an ideal spot for her timing-wise. She's been a filly that handles about anything and everything."

Though Shedaresthedevil won the Oaks last year, Swiss Skydiver won the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly. Instrumental in that prize, among other victories, was her upset win over Horse of the Year Authentic   in the 2020 Preakness Stakes (G1).

Jockey Jose Ortiz replaces Robby Albarado on Swiss Skydiver, a daughter of Daredevil   owned by Peter Callahan.

"Nothing that Robby has done whatsoever," McPeek said of the rider change. "We just felt that with Jose based in New York, it was the home track for him. So we decided to use a local rider."

Albarado was up for Swiss Skydiver's last four races and two starts this year, a victory in the Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park followed by a third-place finish in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1). She lacked her usual competitiveness in the latter race, losing by 6 1/2 lengths to Letruska.

"She had a small infection in a hind leg," McPeek said in her training leading up to the Apple Blossom. "We thought we had it under control, but I think in hindsight—we had to treat her with antibiotics for a few days—it caused her to run flat."

Swiss Skydiver carries high weight of 124 pounds, spotting her rivals two to six pounds apiece.

Shedaresthedevil has experience against another Phipps foe. She edged Letruska in the March 13 Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park after Letruska broke poorly, before that rival went on to edge dual champion Monomoy Girl  in the Apple Blossom for her first grade 1 score.

Most recently, Shedaresthedevil won the La Troienne Stakes Presented by Twinspires.com (G1) at Churchill Downs April 30 for owners Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stables, and Autry Lowry Jr.

"She's a big, beautiful filly, and I think she's moved forward from 3 to 4," trainer Brad Cox said.

Letruska, accustomed to racing with Lasix, competes without the diuretic Saturday. The New York Racing Association began prohibiting Lasix, used to control respiratory bleeding, in all stakes beginning this year amid a phase-out of raceday medications, as did Kentucky and California. 

Juddmonte's Bonny South won the Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) this spring and recorded a five-furlong workout in :59 2/5 May 29 at Churchill Downs in company with Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) favorite Essential Quality.

The Phipps is a Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifier for this fall's Breeder's Cup Distaff at Del Mar.

Entries: Ogden Phipps S. (G1)

Belmont Park, Saturday, June 05, 2021, Race 7

• Grade I
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $500,000
• 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 3:18 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Swiss Skydiver (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	124	Kenneth G. McPeek	5/2
2	2Valiance (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Todd A. Pletcher	4/1
3	3Letruska (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	122	Fausto Gutierrez	9/5
4	4Queen Nekia (FL)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	30/1
5	5Shedaresthedevil (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Brad H. Cox	5/2
6	6Water White (KY)	Manuel Franco	118	Rudy R. Rodriguez	30/1
7	7Bonny South (KY)	Joel Rosario	120	Brad H. Cox	10/1