Shedaresthedevil, winner of the 2020 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) and a grade 1 winner at Churchill Downs again this year, dares to challenge several Southern California graded stakes-winning distaffers in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar Aug. 1. The 1 1/16-mile Hirsch will go as the ninth race on a 10-race card, with a post time of 6:00 p.m. PST. It is a Breeders' Cup Challenge event for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), which will be held Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
As Time Goes By, Venetian Harbor, and Warren's Showtime pose the biggest threats to the invasion of Shedaresthedevil. All have won multiple stakes on the Southern California circuit. The field also includes stakes-placed Paige Anne and Clockstrikestwelve and allowance winner Cover Version.
Brad Cox, the Eclipse Award-winning trainer of 2020, is sending Shedaresthedevil, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Daredevil —Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats, to the Hirsch for owners Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stables, and Autry Lowry Jr. Regular rider Florent Geroux will pilot from post 7.
Shedaresthedevil is no stranger to Southern California. Simon Callaghan trained her for most of her 2-year-old season in 2019, and she ran third in the Sorrento Stakes (G2) at Del Mar and second in the Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita Park. This year Shedaresthedevil has won the La Troienne Stakes Presented by Twinspires.com (G1) and Azeri Stakes (G2) and most recently finished third in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1).
Warren's Showtime is one of two California-breds Craig Lewis has in Del Mar's weekend graded stakes, the other being Brickyard Ride in the July 31 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1). Both are by Clubhouse Ride, a top California sire Lewis trained to multiple graded wins.
"They resemble him in appearance and toughness," Lewis said of his current runners. "He loved to train and run, and so do both of them."
With the strong Cal-bred stakes program at Del Mar, Lewis has the option of the Aug. 15 Solana Beach Stakes on the turf for Warren's Showtime, who drew the rail in the Hirsch and has the services of Juan Hernandez.
"It'll probably be a last-minute decision," Lewis said. "She may be a little bit better on grass, but she definitely can run on dirt as well."
A 4-year-old homebred for Ben and Sally Warren, Warren's Showtime most recently won the Wilshire Stakes (G3T) on turf, but she also took the 2020 Melair Stakes against state-bred competition on the dirt.
As Time Goes By, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah from the Bob Baffert barn, drew post 3 and will have Mike Smith aboard for the Hirsch. Owned by the Coolmore connections of Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, and Derrick Smith, As Time Goes By is coming off back-to-back victories in the April 24 Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) and May 22 Santa Maria Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. In her stakes debut, she finished second to champion Swiss Skydiver in the Beholder Mile (G1).
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Mario Gutierrez will be aboard Venetian Harbor from post 6 for trainer Richard Baltas and owners Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm, and Domenic Savides. A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Munnings , Venetian Harbor last out won the June 5 Monrovia Stakes (G2T) in her first race since unplaced in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). She captured the 2020 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2) and Las Virgenes Stakes (G2).
Del Mar, Sunday, August 1, 2021, Race 9Entries: Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Warren's Showtime (CA) Juan J. Hernandez 121 Craig Anthony Lewis 8/1 2 2Clockstrikestwelve (KY) Kyle Frey 121 Jonathan Wong 30/1 3 3As Time Goes By (KY) Mike E. Smith 123 Bob Baffert 8/5 4 4Paige Anne (KY) Flavien Prat 121 Simon Callaghan 15/1 5 5Cover Version (KY) Abel Cedillo 121 Reed Saldana 30/1 6 6Venetian Harbor (KY) Mario Gutierrez 121 Richard Baltas 2/1 7 7Shedaresthedevil (KY) Florent Geroux 125 Brad H. Cox 7/5
