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My Shea D Lady adds $150K NYSSS Statue of Liberty

by Christian Abdo

Shea D Boy’s Stable’s My Shea D Lady was the lone dirt stakes winner in the field and backed it up in Wednesday’s off-the-turf $150,000 Statue of Liberty division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, contested at one-mile from the Wilson Chute on the main track for eligible-sired sophomore fillies, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Carlos David, the Solomini dark bay added to her resume that features a win in the seven-furlong $500,000 NYSSS Fifth Avenue on dirt in December at Aqueduct Racetrack. In victory, she also rebounded from a last-out fifth when making her grass debut in the six-furlong NYSSS Cupecoy’s Joy on June 14 at Belmont at the Big A.

“I’m really glad it came off, although I wanted to try her two turns and wanted to see if she can handle it on the turf. The first time we went six furlongs, she did it well,” said David. “We’re hoping maybe more distance she’ll be able to relax and come back. But I was hoping it would come off because I think she handles better the one turn.”

Owner Dennis Shea of Shea D Boy’s Stable was in agreement regarding his filly’s versatility.

“These Stallion Series races are so great and the opportunity is there, you just got to take it. When it came off, I kind of felt pretty good,” said Shea. “It was great and a lot of fun. Great to be up here at Saratoga and win a race.”

Piloted by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, My Shea D Lady broke alertly from post 3 as post-time favorite Sohana shot to the front to her inside under Flavien Prat. My Shea D Lady settled into second position behind Sohana, with Tour Jete, who stumbled at the start, filing in behind through an opening quarter-mile in 23.92 seconds over the fast going.

Sohana continued to lead down the backside, increasing the gap to My Shea D Lady to 4 1/2-lengths as Baroness Bourbon advanced from the back of the field to third position as the half-mile elapsed in 46.98.

Castellano held second aboard My Shea D Lady, content to sit well off Sohana who led the field through the far turn while Baroness Bourbon continued to improve her position along the rail to prime for her bid after three-quarters in 1:11.81.

“I broke and wanted to make sure to put my horse in a forward position. It was a small field, not a lot of speed. I wanted to put myself in a place to keep track of the speed horse,” said Castellano. “My horse, she likes to look around a little bit, but I didn't want to be too close to another horse and get her to engage too early.”

At the top of the stretch, Prat gave Sohana her cue but My Shea D Lady had already minimized the deficit and the two were nearly on equal terms after the turn. It was a two horse race with Sohana battling on along the rail as My Shea D Lady drifted out into the center of the course, but flying by to lead by 1 1/2 lengths at the stretch call.

Once her path was straightened, it was straight to the winner’s circle for My Shea D Lady, finishing 1 3/4-lengths over Sohana in a final time of 1:38.27.

“I like the way she did it today – very professional,” Castellano said. “I let her step up to the outside and get her rolling and switch leads and she took off much the best. Very happy with the way she did it.”

It was seven lengths back to Baroness Bourbon in third, with Tour Jete another length back in fourth. Amy’s Light completed the order of finish.

While approaching the gate prior to the race, Cap Ferrat flipped and unseated jockey Manny Franco, leading to a late scratch. She was collared quickly by the outrider and walked off under her own power, as did Franco.

Soloshot, Spirit of Esther, Being Betty and Bossy Jeans were scratched, along with also-eligibles Starlight Dancer and War Terminatrix.

Prat said the Brad Cox-conditioned Sohana was a game runner-up after showing the way up front.

"She broke well and put me into the race. I was traveling well all the way around, but just got outrun," said Prat.

David said, despite winning today when the race came off the turf, he will consider a potential next start in the state-bred $125,000 Suzie O’Cain going 1 1/16 miles on the turf on August 14 here.

“Man, I kind of want to try her on the grass one more time and see, because she didn’t run bad [in the NYSSS Cupecoy’s Joy]. She’s a great dirt [horse] and she seems like she’s handling the more and more distance you throw at her,” said David. “I guess we go there and if it rains, we’re still running.”

Bred in the Empire State by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, My Shea D Lady, a $100,000 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase, is out of the Teuflesberg mare Ladyberg, who is a half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Hoosick Falls and stakes-placed Manor Prospect.

My Shea D Lady banked $82,500 in victory while improving her record to 8-3-1-1. A $2 win bet returned $6.40.

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