SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Simply mentioned that Claire (Curlin) may not have been appreciated, yielded a quick, powerful response from Hall of Fame coach Steve Asmussen.
“Not us,” Asmussen said, shaking his head.
Asmussen is quick to make the case for the 4-year-old, daughter of the Stonestreet Stables of Cavorting (Bernardini), who will be looking to win her third of four starts this year in GII Shuvee S. Saturday at Saratoga Racecourse .
“She is a millionaire who has won a Rank 1 by one of the greatest horses of all time among the greatest horses of all time,” he said. “I do not believe that Claire has ever been underestimated or will ever be underestimated. Because of who she is, she’s a little more special. “
Cavorting, a former ‘Rising star TDN’ coached by Kiaran McLaughlin, won six classified shares, three of which were Class I, and earned just north of $2 million.
Nine-furred Shuvee will be the fifth round of a cross-country series between Shadwell Stable’s ‘Rising star TDN’ Malathaat (Curlin) and Claire, both of which were bred by Stonestreet. Malathaat finished ahead of Clairiere in each of their three meetings as 3-year-olds — GI Kentucky Oaks and GI CCA Oaks and GI Alabama S. at this track — but Clairiere won the contest. Their most recent confrontation, won GI Ogden Phipps by a top on June 11.
“That’s where she finally turned the table with the champion, Malathaat, last year’s coveted 3-year-old champion,” Asmussen said. “We played well against her, but we weren’t on the right track. Obviously, things have changed now.”
In the 1 1/16 mile, Phipps turn, as part of the GI Belmont S program. They launched their rallies pretty much in parallel as they approached the half-mile pole, running past Letruska weary at the top. road segment and catch the Search Result inside the sixteenth column. Malathaat had a slight lead, but Clairiere finished only slightly better under Joel Rosario’s lead.
Asmussen said her talent has always been on display – taking her to a 5-4-2 record and earning $1,799,592 in 13 career starts – and feels that she is becoming a part of her career. better.
“She was first class all the way. Always. I said. “First appearance, two turns, beat her maidenhood against a final graded equity winner and has never done anything but retain the best company. I think with maturity, she broke out to new heights.”
Asmussen noted that Clairiere was the top-ranked woman in the NTRA’s weekly poll, putting her at the top of the table.
Despite her first-place record, because she has consistently placed in the top races – seven of which are Class I – Clairiere has been a favorite only twice. She won both, the GI Cotillion S. in September, and her season opener, a March quality stock option claimant at the Fair Grounds.
In addition to Malathaat, Clairiere is likely to face two other millionaires, Bonny South (Munnings) and ‘Rising Star’ Crazy Beautiful (Map of Liam) in the $200,000 race for old bitches and mares listed by the GI Coaching American Oaks Club. Together, those four earned more than $5.9 million and won 13 rating shares, five of which were Class I.
“That’s Saratoga,” Asmussen said. “It’s the best in the world.”
