Kentucky-bred Dr. Schivel became a Grade 1 stakes winner with a determined score in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
Ridden by jockey Flavien Prat for trainer Mark Glatt, Dr. Schivel raced in sixth position early in the six-furlong test. Traveling five wide around the far turn, Dr. Schivel surged into contention. In a brave stretch battle, he assumed command with a sixteenth remaining and prevailed gamely by a neck over fellow Kentucky-bred Eight Rings.
The winner stopped the clock in :1:10.47. The $180,000 winner’s share of the purse increased Dr. Schivel’s career earnings to $416,000 for owners Red Baron’s Barn LLC, Rancho Temescal LLC, William Branch, and William Dean Reeves. The bay colt was bred in the Bluegrass by William Branch and Arnold Hill.
“When you have a really good 3-year-old, like this horse going against older is not big a factor,” Glatt said. “When you have just an average horse, I think (age) comes into play a lot more.”
Dr. Schivel captured the Del Mar Futurity (G1) over the same surface last year at two for trainer Luis Mendez. Subsequently transferred to Glatt, the son of Violence was given a nine-month layoff before winning his 2021 bow in a June allowance race at Santa Anita.
The following day at Del Mar, multiple grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil shipped in and came away with a facile victory in the $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Owned by Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing Limited, and Big Aut Farms, Shedaresthedevil and jockey Florent Geroux left little doubt who was best in the race, drawing clear to win as she pleased by 3 ¼ lengths.
“She ran her race today and she’s very good when she does,” said Geroux. “I’d have to say she’s up there with the best mares I’ve ever ridden. And this is her third Grade 1 win.”
The $180,000 winner’s share of the purse increased Shedaresthedevil’s sizeable bankroll past the $2 million mark. She has now won eight of 15 starts. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Shedaresthedevil is a daughter of Daredevil out of the Congrats mare Starship Warpspeed.