How to Bet Sunday’s Shuvee Stakes

The Saratoga main surface is not for every horse, but the ones that love it sure do thrive on the oval. #5 Just Katherine (9-2) is probably not the most talented contender in the $200,000 Shuvee S. (G2) on Sunday, but her pair of races here in 2023 were excellent, and I’ll tab her for the upset from the outside post. 

Shuvee Wagers

• $30 win #5 Just Katherine ($30)
• $5 exacta box 1-5 ($10)

Trained by Jose Jimenez, the four-year-old competed in the Wilton S. at The Spa last July and finished a huge second behind the brilliant Randomized while finishing 10 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer. She reappeared on the course during closing weekend, and the daughter of Justify drove home a sharp allowance winner at 1 1/8 miles over Chad Brown’s #3 Raging Sea (7-5). 

Just Katherine endured mixed results after leaving Saratoga, but her latest effort indicates that she is rounding up to a huge effort on Sunday. The Kentucky-bred missed by a neck in the Bed o’ Roses (G2) at Aqueduct most recently while finishing clear of third by three lengths. She earned a 101 Brisnet Speed figure, which equaled her lifetime best, and the $85,000 yearling purchase fired a bullet half-mile on the Belmont training track in her latest morning work, as well. 

She has a useful measure of positional speed to stay in touch in the early stages, and the lass also possesses a mostly consistent late kick, too. Javier Castellano will be in the silks atop the talented filly. 

Cherie DeVaux’s #1 Shotgun Hottie (3-2) has gotten back to her strong 2023 form with two fine tries in succession in advance of this contest. By the superb Gun Runner, the five-year-old mare was a bit unlucky last time out at Churchill Downs in the Fleur de Lis (G2), and any improvement off of that will make her formidable in her local debut. Paco Lopez retains the ride and will have this lass saving ground while never far away from the moderate early tempo.