How to bet the 2021 Shuvee Stakes

A classy field of seven fillies and mares will go postward in Sunday’s $200,000 Shuvee S. (G2) at Saratoga. Five of the seven in the cast have either won or placed at the highest level, making the 1 1/8-mile offering an exciting and competitive affair.

Shuvee Contenders

#1 HOROLOGIST -- Mott trainee ran some peak races in 2020, but hasn’t been as sharp as of late. Gemologist five-year-old has a good rail post, and she could get a dream voyage tracking the tempo behind the pace players drawn to her outside as well. If the mare runs her best, which I expect, then she is an obvious win contender. Junior Alvarado has the call.

#2 GOLD SPIRIT -- Chilean import will make her stateside debut for conditioner Chad Brown. Chestnut homebred is a Group 1 winner who seemed to take a big step forward as the distances increased, and she should be fit and acclimated after working in the U.S. since early spring. Castellano has the assignment.

#3 LIBERTY M D -- Lightly-raced filly from the Ian Wilkes shedrow gets a class test following two solid wins to kick off her career at Churchill Downs. Daughter of Constitution will need to take a massive move forward to upset this bunch, but she could hit the board in her 1 1/8-mile debut with marked improvement. Brian Hernandez Jr. retains the mount.

#4 DUNBAR ROAD -- Second for Chad Brown rolled home to take the 2019 Alabama S. (G1) in her lone prior appearance on the strip. The millionaire daughter of Quality Road was flat in the La Troienne S. (G1) while making her five-year-old bow, but she fits with this field and distance much better, and the mare looms large with anything resembling her previous experience at The Spa. Irad will be in the silks.

#5 ANTOINETTE -- 2020 Saratoga Oaks queen displayed her versatility when second in the Fleur de Lis S. (G2) on the dirt last time out behind the surging Letruska. Godolphin homebred has never finished out of the money on the main surface, and she was a respectable third in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) here last season, too. Johnny V will ride and force the action from the start atop the daughter of Hard Spun.

#6 CRYSTAL BALL -- Speedy sort is 3-for-3 in 2021 and is Grade 1-placed on the surface, as well. Malibu Moon four-year-old is well drawn directly outside of the other pace in the field, and she should receive a perfect trip to the top of the lane in hopes of securing her initial graded win. Luis Saez will guide.

#7 ROYAL FLAG -- Consistent daughter of Candy Ride has finished in the top three in each of her nine lifetime races for Brown. Chestnut was a sharp runner-up at Keeneland in her 2021 debut, and she surely has room for improvement being lightly raced overall. The Kentucky-bred was a smart second in the race last campaign, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her bidding for the win late on Sunday. Rosario will take the reins.

Shuvee Wagers

• $1 superfecta 4 with 1,5,7 with 1,5,7 with all ($24)
• $1 superfecta 4 with 1,5,7 with all with 1,5,7 ($24)