Played Hard and Bauer, Work Towards Shuvee

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – While Clairiere (Curlin) and Nest (Curlin) are in the spotlight, attracting most of the attention in the runup to the GII Shuvee S. on Sunday, Played Hard (Into Mischief) is, well, lurking.

Stonestreet Stable's Clairiere has won consecutive Grade Is to climb to the top of the older dirt filly division. Nest, last year's 3-year-old filly champ co-owned by Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House, will make her first start of 2023. Meanwhile, Played Hard, trained by Phillip Bauer for Rigney Racing, has been building a solid resume. She gave her connections their first Grade I victory in the La Troienne on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs and has finished in the top three in her last 10 starts, six of them graded stakes.

Bauer said that Played Hard has established herself as a very capable and consistent runner while accumulating $1,480140 in purse earnings.

“I think she needs to be recognized as part of the equation this year in that division. However, it's, a tough division,” he said. “I'm sure with the years that they've had, Clairiere currently, and Nest last year, they deserve some respect and obviously some recognition.

But we're excited the way our filly is training and we've kind of mapped out a plan. So we just kind of put our blinkers on and whoever is in it, go to battle with them and see where we stack up at the end of the year.  The main goal is the Breeders' Cup. How we get there is probably going to be different than some of the others, but the Shuvee is the first step.”

Played Hard | Mike Kane

With both trainer and owners from Louisville, the 38-year-old Bauer has trained for Richard and Tammy Rigney since 2013. The Rigneys topped the owner's table at the 2022 Churchill Downs Spring Meet and had a spectacular Saratoga season, winning six of 13 starts. Played Hard delivered one of the Saratoga victories and has been in graded company since, finishing first in three of five starts. In the oh-so-important La Troienne victory she held off Secret Oath (Arrogate) by a neck.

“To me, she showed maturity,” Bauer said. “She's really figured the game out. Early on, it almost looked like she wanted to get rank in her races and stuff like that. She still likes to show pace, but it's some maturity, that I think has helped her and then, obviously, just the desire to win.”

Bauer smiled at the suggestion that the sixth win of her 16-race career was something of a coming out party.

“I would have to think so,” he said.  “She showed up and danced her dance.”

In her next start, Played Hard ran third to Clairiere and Search Results (Flatter) in the GI Ogden Phipps on June 10. With hindsight, Bauer said he regrets the decision to leave Louisville with the questions swirling about safety issues at Churchill Downs and ship the 5-year-old mare to New York.

“I think maybe a little trainer error on my part going up to the Ogden Phipps,” he said.  “We changed gears with everything that went on at Churchill. I don't necessarily think that it was the filly, I think it was more so a mistake that I made.

“We originally were targeting the (GII, July 1) Fleur de Lis, so we kind of changed course. Obviously, the Grade I was appealing, too. The fact we had one if you could get two you really enhanced your odds of winning an Eclipse Award.

Played Hard was forwardly placed by John Velazquez, but finished three lengths behind Clairiere in the one-turn Phipps at Belmont Park.

“We told ourselves, we're not going to regret our decisions,” Bauer said. “She still got third in a Grade I. As far as a page for her when she becomes a broodmare, it doesn't hurt.”

Played Hard has breezed three times since the Ogden Phipps, including a bullet five furlongs on July 7 at Churchill Downs. She worked a half-mile at Saratoga on Saturday.

Played Hard and Phil Bauer last summer at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

“It'll be interesting to see who else goes in there, how the race sets up,” Bauer said. “I anticipate us being part of the mix early. If nobody else is in there maybe it will aid our chances. She loves it up here. She's won a couple of races and we're excited to be back and try again.”

Bauer and the Rigneys have been racing at Saratoga since 2016. They had a productive summer in 2021 with a 3-5-2 record from 21 starts. Last year, they had a remarkable run.

“We were very fortunate,” Bauer said. “It seemed like every time you opened the condition book, there was a race exactly where you wanted it all the way from maiden claimings to two-other-thans. Everything just fit like a glove. We didn't miss a beat and I think that was part of the reason for some of the success.”

Bauer said he and his owners understand what they have known all along, that it's tough to win at Saratoga.

“We're kind of making sure we realize that coming into this meet,” he said. “You don't come up here expecting to win that many.  We want to come up, be competitive and leave here proud of what our horses have accomplished, whether it's wins or not.

You want to lead them over there to run their best race. And if they do it up here, sometimes it's not good enough.”

Bauer brought 14 Rigney horses to Saratoga this year, a couple more than in past seasons. Played Hard is the star of the stable and in the Shuvee faces the tough task of facing Clairiere and Nest, two horses Bauer admires.

“Just phenomenal horses that if you ever run across those kind you're lucky to have,” he said. “Played Hard is the best horse I've ever hung a bridle on. It's exciting to be in the mix. That's what we all strive for in this game, to reach that level and have horses like that. I'm obviously a fan of what those fillies and mares have done and at the same time, hope to beat them.”

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Into Mischief Filly Not Playing in La Troienne

Making her first start since winning last fall's GIII Falls City S. at 45 cents on the dollar, Rigney Racing's Played Hard (Into Mischief) rewarded those that remained loyal to her from a pari-mutuel perspective with a near 9-1 upset in Friday's GI La Troienne S. at Churchill Downs. For the second time in as many races, Briland Farm's Secret Oath (Arrogate)–who won the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks on this program 12 months ago–took a dirty beat in Grade I company, having been pipped on the post in the Apple Blossom H. last time, while Search Results (Flatter), beaten a neck by Malathaat (Curlin) in the 2021 Oaks, was a brave third.

“I went to bed many nights dreaming of this moment,” said trainer and Louisville native Phil Bauer, who was unsaddling his first top-level winner. “Horse racing can be like climbing Mount Everest. Today, I feel like we've made it to the top. As a Louisville guy, this means everything to me. It's so hard to put into words what Tammi and Richard Rigney mean to me. They've supported me through the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.”

Ridden for some speed by John Velazquez, Played Hard argued the early issue inside of Search Results and Society (Gun Runner), but when it was clear that Florent Geroux was intent on taking the latter to the top, Velazquez took a tug on Played Hard and pulled her to the outside to hound the front-runner from second. Society led through a half in a solid :47.28 and took the field into the second turn, but Played Hard was breathing down her neck and came calling for the lead with just under 2 1/2 furlongs to go. A few lengths behind, Secret Oath was making ominous progress after covering ground, but had to be asked by Tyler Gaffalione.

In front as they hit the top of the lane, Played Hard was urged along to maintain her advantage, but Secret Oath, six or seven wide off the final corner, looked to have the momentum down the center of the track while Search Results refused to lay down at the rail. Played Hard drifted out under a left-handed crop and she and Secret Oath brushed, but she boxed on gamely and was home narrowly best. A claim of foul against the winner was ultimately disallowed and the result stood as is.

“She's very brave. All the credit goes to Mr. Phil Bauer and his team,” said Velazquez, winning the La Troienne for the third time. “She's been working really good, and I didn't know if she had enough to beat Secret Oath today. But she put in a couple of good works here. I knew she was going to run well. The whole team did such a great job, to get her ready after a long layoff, and to run with this horse. I've got to give it to Phil, great job.”

Tyler Gaffalione said the incident in the stretch likely cost Secret Oath the race.

“Honestly, it felt a lot worse than it looked,” he said. “My filly must have been getting tired at that point, and we came together. I had pretty good position going into the first turn, then we ran into traffic, and a lot of shuffling, so I didn't want to get myself in a bad spot, so I got her out of there. She's got such a tremendous kick, that I wanted to rely on that.”

Off the board just once in eight previous runs beneath the Twin Spires, Played Hard romped home by 5 3/4 lengths in the GIII Locust Grove S. during Churchill's September meet last fall, then was third, but soundly defeated, in the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland ahead of her Falls City performance.

Pedigree Notes:

The 16th Grade I winner for her spectacular sire, Played Hard–a $280,000 Keeneland September acquisition–is out of daughter of SW Well Dressed, the dam of G1 Dubai World Cup hero Well Armed (Tiznow); GSW Witty (Distorted Humor), the dam of Grade III winner Bombard (War Front) and MGSP Amuse (Medaglia d'Oro); GISP Helsinki (Distorted Humor); and of the dam of GISW and current Darley Japan stallion American Patriot (War Front). Well Lived is the dam of the 3-year-old colt Highest Regards (Candy Ride {Arg}) and delivered a colt by Constitution Apr. 3. Played Hard is bred on a similar cross to champion Wonder Wheel as well as Grade III winner Comical. Rocket Can, who starts in Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, has asecond dam by Tiznow.

Friday, Churchill Downs
LA TROIENNE S. PRESENTED BY TWINSPIRES-GI, $750,000, Churchill Downs, 5-5, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:42.48, ft.
1–PLAYED HARD, 123, m, 5, by Into Mischief
           1st Dam: Well Lived, by Tiznow
           2nd Dam: Well Dressed, by Notebook
           3rd Dam: Trithenia, by Gold Meridian
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($280,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Rigney Racing, LLC; B-Susan Casner (KY); T-Philip A. Bauer; J-John R. Velazquez. $441,750. Lifetime Record: 15-6-5-2, $1,420,140. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Secret Oath, 123, f, 4, by Arrogate
           1st Dam: Absinthe Minded (MSW & MGISP, $607,747), by Quiet American
           2nd Dam: Rockford Peach, by Great Above
           3rd Dam: Strawberry Skyline, by Hatchet Man
O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. $142,500.
3–Search Results, 123, m, 5, by Flatter
           1st Dam: Co Cola (GSP), by Candy Ride (Arg)
           2nd Dam: Yong Musician, by Yonaguska
           3rd Dam: Alljazz, by Stop the Music
($310,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $71,250.
Margins: NK, HF, 1HF. Odds: 8.93, 1.68, 4.02.
Also Ran: A Mo Reay, Desert Dawn, Pauline's Pearl, Soul of an Angel, Sixtythreecaliber, Society, Classy Edition.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Pauline’s Pearl Prevails in La Troienne

Well-bred Pauline's Pearl, eighth in last year's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, reached the highest level Friday while running down 2020 Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil. Off as the second choice having last finished runner-up in Oaklawn's Mar. 12 GII Azeri S.–one spot ahead of Shedaresthedevil and behind 2021 champion female sprinter Ce Ce (Elusive Quality)–the grey was briefly hung wide into the first turn before working her way inward slightly in midpack as Shedaresthedevil showed the way. She mounted a three-wide challenge after six furlongs in 1:11.78, and continued to grind away at the leader's advantage as longshot Ava's Grace boxed on in between. Pauline's Pearl seemed to hit another gear past the eighth pole, and Shedaresthedevil could no longer hold her off, with the former notching a snug decision.

“[Trainer Steve Asmussen] told me to watch her at the gate; that she could break slow. But she came out fine and I got a good position,” said winning pilot Joel Rosario. “I got pushed out a bit on the turn [for home], but once we straightened out she leveled off. She ran well through the stretch.”

A winner of last April's GIII Honeybee S. over Ava's Grace, Pauline's Pearl was freshened after the Oaks ahead of a third in the GIII Iowa Oaks and seconds in both the GIII Charles Town Oaks and GIII Remington Park Oaks. She finished off her sophomore season with a score in the Nov. 21 Zia Park Oaks–good for a career top Beyer Speed Figure of 96–and resurfaced a convincing winner of the GIII Houston Ladies Classic S. Jan. 20 before returning to Hot Springs for the Azeri.

“So many things go into it,” said Hall of Famer Asmussen, who was winning his second La Troienne. “She was a nice filly early that continuously competed and got better. She came back a [better] 4-year-old. All four races this year have been tremendous. It is so satisfying for her to come back and get her first Grade I on Oaks Day. She did her best last year in the Oaks. You can see the improvement one year has made in her.”

This was the 100th graded stakes win for a horse bred by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet, whose recent products also include last year's Kentucky Oaks heroine Malathaat (Curlin).

Friday, Churchill Downs
LA TROIENNE S. PRESENTED BY SIGNIFY HEALTH-GI, $750,000, Churchill Downs, 5-6, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:42.46, ft.
1–PAULINE'S PEARL, 123, f, 4, by Tapit
        1st Dam: Hot Dixie Chick (GISW, $343,252), by Dixie Union
        2nd Dam: Above Perfection, by In Excess (Ire)
        3rd Dam: Something Perfect, by Somethingfabulous
1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Joel Rosario. $455,700. Lifetime Record: 13-5-4-2, $1,494,200. *1/2 to Union Jackson (Curlin), MSW & GSP, $273,874. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Shedaresthedevil, 123, m, 5, by Daredevil
        1st Dam: Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats
        2nd Dam: Andria's Forest, by Forestry
        3rd Dam: Andriana B., by Far North
($100,000 Wlg '17 KEENOV; $20,000 RNA Ylg '18 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '19 KEENOV; $5,000,000 4yo '21 FTKNOV). O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited and Whisper Hill Farm, LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $147,000.
3–Ava's Grace, 123, f, 4, by Laoban
        1st Dam: Cover Girl Elle, by Out of Place
        2nd Dam: Cover, by A.P. Indy
        3rd Dam: Gild, by Mr. Prospector
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-Cypress Creek Equine; B-Southern Equine Stables, LLC (KY); T-Robertino Diodoro. $73,500.
Margins: HF, 2 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.90, 0.80, 12.70.
Also Ran: Battle Bling, She's All Wolfe, Jilted Bride, Temper Time.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:
Pauline's Pearl is the 29th Grade I winner for her super sire, who was also responsible for 2014 Asmussen-trained Oaks heroine Untapable. Broodmare sire Dixie Union has sired the dams of seven North American highest-level winners (and two more in South America), including 2018 La Troienne victress Salty (Quality Road).

Precocious dam Hot Dixie Chick–a half to 2017 GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister)–annexed the 2009 GI Spinaway S., but was third at 3-5 in the following year's GIII Eight Belles S. on this same card. Her current 3-year-old Marsalis (Curlin) garnered 'TDN Rising Star'-dom in March. Hot Dixie Chick aborted to Good Magic after her subsequent mating, but produced a Constitution colt last season. She was bred to both Tapit and Quality Road for 2022.

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Shedaresthedevil Refuses To Lose In La Troienne Stakes Triumph

The last time Shedaresthedevil entered the starting gate at Churchill Downs, she was a longshot who was forwardly placed and fought doggedly to win the Kentucky Oaks. Seven months later in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes, Shedaresthedevil was now the giant to slay, but everything else remained the same.

The 4-year-old daughter of Daredevil was put on the lead coming out of the gate by jockey Florent Geroux on Friday afternoon, followed closely on the rail by Envoutante, and on the outside by Bajan Girl. Shedaresthedevil held a one-length advantage over her closest rivals through the first turn, and went through the opening quarter-mile in :23.99 seconds.

Bajan Girl, an 18-1 longshot, remained on the outside hip of the favorite across the backstretch, while jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., settled Envoutante a bit on the rail through the straightaway, another length behind the first two. Under a restrained trip by Geroux, Shedaresthedevil entered the final turn after a half-mile in :47.94 seconds.

Geroux started to give his mount a little more rein through the turn, as others moved up to challenge, including Envoutante on the inside and Dunbar Road and Bajan Girl in the middle of the track. After going six furlongs in 1:11.71, it appeared as though the momentum belonged to any number of challengers to the leader, particularly Envoutante moving through the rail path.

Envoutante drew about even with Shedaresthedevil with about a furlong to go, but the pacesetter never let the challenger pass her as they separated from the rest of the field. Under aggressive riding and a left-handed crop from Geroux, Shedaresthedevil dug in to snuff the bid attempt from Envoutante, and draw off to win by a length.

Finite looped around the also-rans to finish a distant third, about a half-length ahead of Bajan Girl.

Shedaresthedevil completed the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:42.69, and she paid $5.40 to win as the 8-5 favorite.

This is the second consecutive year that Geroux has teamed up with trainer Brad Cox to win the La Troienne, after booting home champion Monomoy Girl for the Eclipse Award-winning trainer in 2020. Geroux also won the La Troienne in 2017 aboard Tom Amoss trainee Big World.

Shedaresthedevil is owned by the partnership of Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing Ltd. and Big Aut Farms. She was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, out of the Congrats mare Sharship Warpspeed.

Friday's victory improves Shedaresthedevil's record to seven wins in 13 starts for earnings of $1,807,318. The La Troienne was her fifth career graded stakes victory, and her second against Grade 1 competition.

The filly is now a perfect three-for-three at Churchill Downs. In addition to her triumph in last year's rescheduled Kentucky Oaks, she won her debut start at the Louisville track as a juvenile in June 2019.

To view the Equibase chart, click here.

Shedaresthedevil triumphs in the G1 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Florent Geroux (Jockey, Shedaresthedevil, winner) – “She loves to race at Churchill; she showed it again today. They made me work hard for this. When we turned for home, she kept her head up and I could tell she was digging in. Those other fillies came to her but she showed a lot of heart and a lot of grit and I knew she wasn't going to let them by.”

Brad Cox (Trainer, Shedaresthedevil, winner) – “This is huge. She has been training really well coming up to this. We freshened her up after the Spinster last year. We didn't want to try and chase the Breeders' Cup Distaff. It was obviously the right move. She's moved forward at four. She's shown that in her two starts. She has a lot of fight and determination down the lane. She showed that again today down the lane. She's now a Grade 1 winner at 4. We'll target the Breeders' Cup Distaff and work our way back from that. There are some obvious races in New York and one at Del Mar we are thinking about.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. (Jockey, Envoutante, runner-up) – “She ran hard. Turning for home when it opened up, I thought 'Oh good, I'm going to get through and win.' She spurted for me but the other filly just had more. On paper it looked like there would be a little more speed than they showed. I thought for sure somebody was going to press her, but the one filly that tried just wasn't good enough. She went for a half but that was it. The winner is a fighter and she got a breather out there and that made it tough.”

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