Shedaresthedevil preps for Breeders' Cup in Locust Grove

Photo: Ted McClenning/Eclipse Sportswire

Kentucky Oaks hero Shedaresthedevil headlines Saturday’s 37th running of the Grade 3, $400,000 Locust Grove at Churchill Downs.

Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Locust Grove could be used to launch fillies and mares to a spot in the starting gate for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. The Locust Grove is carded as Race 10 with a post time of 10:42 p.m. EDT. First post is 6 p.m. EDT. The race shares the Saturday night spotlight with the $300,000 Iroquois (G3), $300,000 Pocahontas (G3), $300,000 Open Mind and $275,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society.

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Owned by Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stables and Big Aut Farms, Shedaresthedevil was the 15-1 upset winner of last year’s Kentucky Oaks and has been perfect in four starts beneath the Twin Spires. Trained by Brad Cox, Shedaresthedevil surpassed $2 million in earnings with a victory in last month’s $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar.

Shedaresthedevil began her career in 2019 at Churchill Downs, where she had a 3 1/4-length debut win for trainer Norm Casse. Following a three-race stint with California-based conditioner Simon Callaghan, she was transferred to Cox in early 2020.

The now 4-year-old daughter of Daredevil is 3-for-4 to start her 2021 campaign, including a one-length score in the $500,000 La Troienne (G1). Jockey Florent Geroux has been aboard Shedaresthedevil for her last eight starts and will be reunited with the eight-time winner Saturday from post No. 7.

Also entered in the Locust Grove is last year’s $200,000 Falls City (G2) winner Envoutante. Owned by Walking L Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm and trained by Kenny McPeek, Envoutante finished second to Shedaresthedevil in the La Troienne. After that race, Envoutante was victorious in the $150,000 Shawnee. The 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo has been away from the races since June 26, when she finished third to arguably the nation’s top Distaff contender Letruska in the $300,000 Fleur de Lis (G2).

Envoutante has recorded five victories through 13 starts with stout purse earnings of $571,438. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount from post 5.