Shedaresthedevil Looking To Follow Up Azeri Stakes Success With La Troienne Stakes Victory

There is a thrilling weekend of racing in store at Churchill Downs, with the Kentucky Oaks taking place on Friday and the Kentucky Derby taking place on Saturday. There will also be a Grade 1 race before the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, with Shedaresthedevil at the top of the betting for the La Troienne Stakes. Below, we will have a look at her chances of victory in the Grade 1, and have a look at some of the other Graded races taking place on Friday.

The La Troienne Stakes is the eighth race on the card at Churchill Downs on Friday, and fans will be looking forward to seeing Shedaresthedevil back on the track. The Brad Cox-trained horse is as short as 8/5 with some sportsbooks to win the Grade 1, and it is hard to poke holes in her form.

She returned to the track in March after a disappointing third in the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes in October last year with a victory in the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes. She looked in a phenomenal form on that occasion, and it was the response that connections would have been looking for after the run at Keeneland. Her career record is staggering, as she has won six from 12 starts, which includes Graded wins in the form of the Kentucky Oaks, Indiana Oaks, and Honeybee Stakes.

Her main opposition this weekend could come in the form of Dunbar Road, who is trained by Chad Brown. She has won six from eleven starts and has only failed to finish outside of a place position on one occasion. This will be her first start this calendar year, and she will be looking to bounce back after consecutive third-place finishes in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Beldame Stakes, respectively.

The race that follows the La Trionne Stakes on Friday is the Eight Belles Stakes. It looks set to be a thrilling renewal, with a competitive contest expected. Dayoutoftheoffice will be the horse at the top of the betting, but at 3/1, she is by no means a short-priced favorite for the running of this race. The Timothy Hamm-trained horse does have excellent form behind her and was the runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November. That was the only defeat that she has suffered on track and could be the solid fancy for many.

However, Bob Baffert-trained Kalypso could interest many for this race. She has won once from three starts this season, with that victory coming in the Santa Ynez Stakes. However, she has performed admirably when finishing second in the Las Virgenes Stakes and third in the Santa Ysabel Stakes. Slumber Party will be lining up for just the third time in this competitive Group 2, but is showing early signs of promise. After winning her maiden at Gulfstream Park, she finished second in the Beaumont Stakes. More could be set to come from this Kelly Breen-trained horse.

One of the most competitive betting races of the day comes in the form of the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes. Fast Boat is the current 7/2 favorite, as she will be looking for a first Graded success after winning the Pulse Power Turf Sprint Stakes last time out. There are a number of horses just behind her in the betting, including Sombeyay, Fiya, and Catotari.

Diamond Oops could be another significant mover before the race. The six-year-old won two Grade 2s last season but is yet to reach the same heights. She most recently finished ninth in the Grade 3 Mr Prospector Stakes. Just Might is another interesting selection, as she won the Colonel Power Stakes in February before finishing a distant tenth in the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes.