Millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil, among three finalists for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion older dirt female of 2021, returned to the work tab last Sunday at Fair Grounds, covering 3 furlongs in :36.20 for trainer Brad Cox and co-owner Staton Flurry of Hot Springs, Ark.
Cox reiterated Tuesday afternoon that Shedaresthedevil's first 2022 target remains the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 12 at Oaklawn. Shedaresthedevil opened her 2021 campaign with a victory in the Azeri, holding off expected Eclipse Award winner Letruksa by a head under regular rider Florent Geroux.
“It was a good move,” Cox said, referring to Sunday's breeze. “Pointing for the Azeri. I think it's going to be a realistic goal to get to the Azeri. Obviously, it's a prep for the Apple Blossom.”
Shedaresthedevil hasn't started since a sixth-place finish in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Shedaresthedevil, as a racing/broodmare prospect, sold for $5 million at Fasig-Tipton's Fall Mixed Sale Nov. 9, but her new connections decided to keep her in training with Cox for a 2022 racing campaign.
Flurry said the 5-year-old daughter of Daredevil received a 30-day break following the Breeders' Cup and was in light training at new co-owner Mandy Pope's farm in Florida before returning to Cox in early January at Fair Grounds.
“They had her in Ocala, Mandy Pope's team did, and she came back and looked amazing,” Cox said. “She looked as well as she's ever looked, so I'm excited about getting her started this year and hopefully make her presence felt in some Grade 1s throughout the year.”
The Azeri is the final major local prep for the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at 1 1/16 miles April 23.
In addition to the Azeri, Shedaresthedevil won the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies in 2020 at Oaklawn before capturing the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) later that year at Churchill Downs. She was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2020.
Shedaresthedevil has bankrolled $2,331,458 after winning 9 of 17 career starts. She is a three-time Grade 1 winner.
