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Clairiere Going After Saratoga Glory in the Shuvee

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Just a mere mention that Clairiere (Curlin) might be underappreciated, brought a quick, robust reaction from Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

“Not by us,” Asmussen said, shaking his head.

Asmussen promptly made the case for the 4-year-old filly, a Stonestreet Stables homebred daughter of Cavorting (Bernardini), who will seek her third win in four starts this year in the GII Shuvee S. Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

“She's a multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire by one of the greatest horses of all time out of one of the greatest horses of all time,” he said. “I do not believe Clairiere has ever been underappreciated or ever will be underappreciated. Because of who she is, she's more than a little special.”

Cavorting, a former 'TDN Rising Star' trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, won six graded stakes, three of them Grade I, and earned just north of $2 million.

The nine-furlong Shuvee will be the fifth round of the cross-country series between Shadwell Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) and Clairiere, both of whom were bred by Stonestreet. Malathaat finished in front of Clairiere in each of their three meetings as 3-year-olds–the GI Kentucky Oaks and the GI CCA Oaks and GI Alabama S. at this track–but Clairiere prevailed in their most recent showdown, winning the GI Ogden Phipps by a head June 11.

“It was where she finally turned the tables on the champion, Malathaat, the deserved 3-year-old filly champion last year,” Asmussen said. “We competed well against her, but did not come out on the right side of it. Obviously, things have changed now.”

In the 1 1/16 mile, one-turn Phipps, which was part of the GI Belmont S. program, Malathaat and Clairiere sat far back off the torrid pace set by champion Letruska (Super Saver) and Search Results (Flatter). They launched their rallies pretty much in tandem approaching the half-mile pole, ran past the tiring Letruska at the top of stretch and caught Search Results inside the sixteenth pole. Malathaat had a slight lead, but Clairiere finished just a bit better under Joel Rosario.

Asmussen said her talent has always been evident–carrying her to a 5-4-2 record and $1,799,592 in earnings in her 13 career starts–and feels that she is getting better.

“She is first class all the way. Always has been. Never been anything but,” he said. “First time out, two turns, broke her maiden against an eventual graded stakes winner and has never done anything but keep the best company. I do think that with maturity she has broken through to a new level.”

Asmussen noted that Clairiere is the top-ranked female in the weekly NTRA poll, putting her at the top of the division.

Despite her sterling record, because she has consistently been in top races–seven of them Grade I–Clairiere has only been the favorite twice. She won both, the GI Cotillion S. in September, and her season-opener, a stakes-quality optional claimer in March at the Fair Grounds.

In addition to Malathaat, Clairiere is likely to face two other millionaires, Bonny South (Munnings) and 'Rising Star' Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map) in the $200,000 race for older fillies and mares that is on the undercard of the GI Coaching Club American Oaks. Together, those four have earned over $5.9 million and won 13 graded stakes, five of them Grade I.

“It's Saratoga,” Asmussen said. “It's the best in the world.”

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Malathaat Works for Shuvee

Shadwell Stable's Malathaat (Curlin), who came up just a head short of Clairiere (Curlin) when second in the June 11 GI Ogden Phipps S. last time out, tuned up for the July 24 GII Shuvee S. with a four-furlong work in :49.22 (44/113) in company Sunday at Saratoga.

Last year's GI Kentucky Oaks winner and champion 3-year-old filly, who has won seven of 10 lifetime starts, will be adding blinkers for her third start of the year next Sunday.

“She seems a little more locked in and a little more concentrated,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “She's trained great up to this race and we're looking forward to seeing how she adapts to the equipment change.”

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Clairiere Picks Up the Pieces in Ogden Phipps to Cap Curlin Exacta

Saturday's GI Ogden Phipps S. may have only attracted five horses, but it was the “right” five with champions Malathaat (Curlin) and Letruska (Super Saver), Grade I winners Clairiere (Curlin) and Search Results (Flatter) and MGSW Bonny South (Munnings). After a knock down, drag out fight on the front end between Letruska and Search Results, it was left to the two Stonestreet Stables-bred fillies, Clairiere and Malathaat, to decide it in the lane. In the end, it was Clairiere, carrying her breeders' famed gold and burgundy silks, who got her head on the line first.

Defending Ogden Phipps winner Letruska was hammered down to 3-5 favoritism to repeat here with Malathaat the 3-1 second-choice and Clairiere behind them at 9-2. Clairiere broke sharply, but was quickly out-footed by an over eager Search Results and the typically speedy Letruska. Search Results gained a narrow advantage with the chalk glued to her tail through a :22.75 opening quarter and over a dozen lengths back to the remaining three, led by Malathaat. Clairiere inched up to confront Malathaat as the top two, now on even terms, blazed through a :45.23 half-mile. Search Results overtook Letruska at the five-sixteenths pole as Clairiere and Malathaat began to wind up on the outside. That duo overtook a tiring Letruska in early stretch and set their sights on Search Results. That Chad Brown trainee put in a valiant effort, but the early pace caught up with her in late stretch. Malathaat seized command with Clairiere on her outside shoulder, but it was clear Clairiere had more momentum. She forged past a determined Malathaat in the final strides to secure a narrow victory.

“It was very special, especially with a field like this,” said winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “It was a wonderful experience. 1:41 for a mile and a sixteenth. Is that even possible? They were rolling. The separation they got from the three-eighths to the quarter-pole worried me a bit. The first half, you think, 'perfect'. But when those fillies continued to separate I became concerned. They flew home. 1:41 flat [1:41.10]. They didn't stagger. They had to run.”

He continued, “It was heart, soul and guts, absolutely. What can you say about her? She is racing royalty by Curlin out of Cavorting. I think she's even better this year. She was a wonderful filly last year, but as a 4-year-old, she's faster now than she was then. This is a tremendous stage to do it on. The head went our way this time. I think it is absolutely beautiful that she and Malathaat were that close together the entire race. They are great mares. Unbelievable mares. How proud Stonestreet should be that they bred both of them.”

As for what's next, the Hall of Famer said, “The horse goes to Saratoga next, looking at the [GI] Personal Ensign. The [GI] Breeders' Cup Distaff is the main goal.”

“I always felt Clairiere was coming on strong and if she got a little bit of pace she would do it, and she did it,” said Stonestreet principal Barbara Banke. “She got pace and she did it. I was happy to see Malathaat right behind her. Those are two Stonestreet homebred Curlin fillies. You can't beat that.”

“She was tough to beat and for a second I thought she got me, but she really responded and we got lucky we got it,” said Joel Rosario. “I started by following Johnny [Velazquez aboard Malathaat] for a bit and turning for home it looked like I may never go by, but she did go by.”

As for the runner-up, trainer Todd Pletcher said, “Johnny said she kind of lost focus the last sixteenth of a mile. It's probably time to think about some blinkers, which we've had in the back of our minds for a while. It caught him off-guard because usually if she has a horse next to her, she'll stay focused, but the last 100 yards she saw something and kind of came off the bridle. It's a big effort.”

Clairiere announced herself last year with a win in the race named for her birthplace's most famous resident, the GII Rachel Alexandra S. She was ultra consistent in her next five starts, never finishing worst than fourth, including a second to GI Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat in the GI Alabama S. last August. She got her well-deserved Grade I next out in the Sept. 25 GI Cotillion S. at Parx and rallied from well back to be fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 6, one spot behind Malathaat. Kicking off 2022 with a dominant optional claimer score at Fair Grounds Mar. 16, the homebred came in second to another Eclipse winner in Letruska in Oaklawn's GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 23.

Pedigree Notes:

Clairiere is one of 18 Grade I winner by the mighty Curlin. She is the first foal out of MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Cavorting, who won this race in 2016 for the now-retired Kiaran McLaughlin. That Stonestreet colorbearer is one of 14 mares by the late Bernardini to produce a Grade I winner. Her second foal, the now-3-year-old filly La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro), won the Silverbulletday S., making that two black-type winners from two to race for the star mare. Cavorting's 2020 colt Judge Miller (Curlin) summoned $550,000 at KEESEP form Muir Hut Stables. She was barren when bred to Quality Road for 2021 and was bred back to Into Mischief, but has no live foal reported yet for this year. Out of GSW Promenade Girl, Cavorting is a half to GSW Moon Colony (Uncle Mo) and MGSP Thirstforlife (Stay Thirsty).

Saturday, Belmont Park
OGDEN PHIPPS S.-GI, $480,000, Belmont, 6-11, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:41.10, ft.
1–CLAIRIERE, 122, f, 4, by Curlin
1st Dam: Cavorting (MGISW, $2,063,000), by Bernardini
                2nd Dam: Promenade Girl, by Carson City
                3rd Dam: Promenade Colony, by Pleasant Colony
O/B-Stonestreet Stables LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Joel Rosario. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 13-5-4-2, $1,799,592. *1/2 to La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro), SW, $159,460. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Malathaat, 124, f, 4, by Curlin
1st Dam: Dreaming of Julia (GISW, $874,500), by A.P. Indy
                2nd Dam: Dream Rush, by Wild Rush
                3rd Dam: Turbo Dream, by Unbridled
($1,050,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Shadwell Stable; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. $100,000.
3–Search Results, 122, f, 4, 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. $60,000.
Margins: HD, 2 1/4, 6 3/4. Odds: 4.80, 3.15, 5.30.
Also Ran: Bonny South, Letruska.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Pletcher Stars, Including Potential Belmont S. duo, Highlight Busy Worktab

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's potential GI Belmont S. duo of Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) and the filly Nest (Curlin) worked in company Friday morning.

Nest, with Jose Ortiz aboard, and Mo Donegal, who was piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., went to the fast main track under cloudy skies and temperatures in the 60s. Nest worked to the inside of Mo Donegal as both horses completed their five-furlong moves in 1:02.99, followed by an extended three-eighths gallop out.

“The main thing I tried to emphasize to Jose and Irad was that I wanted a good, steady, long gallop out breeze. I wasn't concerned about how quickly they went,” Pletcher said. “They got into a good rhythm. I had them out in 1:02 4/5, but what I particularly liked was the three-eighths after the finish line, they galloped out strongly. Both riders said that when I told them on the radio to let them go ahead and go out another eighth, both horses jumped up underneath them and showed they still had something left in the tank, so I was happy. I think both horses have good foundations. I just wanted a good, steady, stamina-building breeze and I thought we were able to accomplish that.”

Mo Donegal, owned by Donegal Racing and Repole Stable, was fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs, where he broke awkwardly from the rail and was forced wide in the final turn. He entered the Derby following a neck win over eventual GI Preakness S. winner Early Voting (Gun Runner) in the GII Wood Memorial S. Apr. 9.

Produced by the A.P. Indy mare Marion Ravenwood, Nest, the full-sister to GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol, was a dominating winner of the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland en route to a runner-up effort as the lukewarm favorite in the GI Kentucky Oaks.

“Pedigree wise, it's a no brainer. You've got Belmont all over her pedigree, so I think she'll run that far. That's a huge part of the consideration,” Pletcher said. “She's given us every indication since the Oaks that she's doing well.”

Last year's champion 3-year-old filly 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) was also on the Belmont work tab Friday, working in company with graded stakes winner Fearless (Ghostzapper) through five-eighths in 1:00.60 over the training track. She is currently on track for the GI Ogden Phipps S. June 11. Three-time graded winner Fearless is being aimed at the GII Brooklyn Invitational June 11.

'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief), a last out fourth in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March, breezed a half-mile in :49.05 over the training track. The GI Pegasus World Cup hero resumed serious training at WinStar Farm in Kentucky earlier this month. Pletcher said Life Is Good is targeting the GII John A. Nerud July 2 at Belmont with the GI Whitney Aug. 6 as a long term goal.

“He worked this morning in :48 and change, did it very easily,” Pletcher said. “I think he's maintained his conditioning level very well, so right now we have the Nerud on July 2, which gives us five weeks back to the Whitney. That's what we're thinking right now.”

Also on the work tab for Pletcher was GIII Bay Shore S. winner 'TDN Rising Star' Wit (Practical Joke), who posted a five-eighths breeze in 1:01.05 in preparation for the GI Woody Stephens S. June 11.

We the People Breezes for Belmont Stakes…

WinStar Farm, CMNWLTH and Siena Farm's We the People (Constitution) put in his penultimate work Friday in preparation for the GI Belmont S., covering a half-mile in :48.39 over the Belmont main track.

“It was an easy half, very routine for him,” said trainer Rodolphe Brisset, who was aboard for the work. “It was exactly what we were looking for. Just a maintenance work to put us in a perfect spot for next week. We just like the way he's been acting and training here. He's not an easy horse and he looks like he's maturing at the right time. Hopefully, the next two weeks will be the same.”

The 'TDN Rising Star' posted a resounding win in the GIII Peter Pan S. May 14, the final local prep for the “Test of the Champion.” We the People led every step of the way over a good and sealed Big Sandy to win his first graded stakes by 10 1/4 lengths. He earned a 103 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“We were happy with the number and you will always have people say it was a sealed track and an easy lead,” said Brisset. “But I just feel like that was the right effort right before the Belmont and I think it's the right move to point him to the big one now.”

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