Trainer Todd Pletcher sends out three contenders in Sunday’s $125,000 Shuvee at Saratoga. (Photo credit kateb0625 is marked
under CC0 1.0.).
Trainer Todd Pletcher, battling with Chad Brown for the training title will send out three contenders in Sunday’s $125,000 Shuvee (G2) at Saratoga.
The 1 1/8-mile test for fillies and mares on the main track drew a field of nine and among the trio Pletcher will saddle Nonna Madeline (4-1) and Bellara (10-1) may have the best chance.
Nonna Madeline won the Summer Colony in her last outing on Aug. 5 over the main track at the Spa.
“I thought she ran terrific last time and she’s coming into this one training well,” Pletcher said.
Bellera checked in third in the Summer Colony, beaten by her stablemate by 8 ½ lengths, but she has shown she is capable of better.
“Bellera should improve for having that race in the Summer Colony,” Pletcher said. “I thought she ran a little bit flat last time but she’s had a really good schedule since then and I expect an improved race from her.”
Summer Colony Replay
Pletcher’s third contender is Another Broad (15-1), who was third in the Fleur De Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs on June 27 in her last outing.
The Pletcher trio will have to deal with the Brown trained Royal Flag (7-2), who was third in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth Park on July 18. The daughter of Candy Ride will be making her first start at 1 1/8 miles this afternoon.
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Let’s head out to Saratoga for Sunday’s featured race of the day:
Saratoga Race 9 The Shuvee G3 (5:46 ET)
9 Royal Flag 7-2
6 Nonna Madeline 4-1
2 Bellera 10-1
5 Golden Award 9-2
Royal Flag
The Brown trainee came up short as the beaten chalk last out in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth Park. The Brown trainee tracked the early pace while saving ground and had no punch in the stretch, finishing 7 1/2 lengths behind the winner. The filly came off a 3 1/2 month break two back to beat Alw-2 optional claimers at Churchill Downs. Her last trip was her first at nine furlongs and willing to give her another look here. She is bred to handle the extra ground, by Candy Ride out of a Mineshaft mare. She can turn the tables her and reunites with Castellano who was aboard her two back.
Nonna Madeline
This filly dueled for the early lead and took over heading for home, drawing clear late to win by 1 1/4 lengths in the restricted Summer Colony here at nine furlongs. She matched her career top speed gig she earned two back in a runner up finish in the Added Elegance at a mile at Gulfstream Park. The filly owns solid early and mid pace numbers and she looks capable of winning right back in this spot.
Bellera
This gal along with our second choice are both sent out by the Pletcher barn. This filly tracked the early pace and weakened to finish third in the Summer Colony, beaten 8 1/2 lengths. She was a decent third two back in the Delaware Handicap (G2). This gal won back to back stakes at nine furlongs at Aqueduct last November and January. She should get a good tracking trip and her 10-1 morning line looks fair.
