The Grade II Shuvee Stakes, set for Friday, July 18, 2025, at Saratoga, is a $200,000 dirt route for fillies and mares aged 4 and up, contested over 1⅛ miles. Named after the legendary Hall of Fame mare Shuvee, this race is a summer staple for older female dirt routers and often serves as a prep for the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) later in the meet.
Field Overview & Horse-by-Horse Analysis
| Post | Horse | Sire – Dam (Dam Sire) | Jockey | Trainer | Breeder |
| 1 | Sidamara | Arrogate – Spring in the Air (Spring At Last) | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott | Juddmonte Farms |
| 2 | Gun Song | Gun Runner – Nicole H (Mr. Greeley) | John Velazquez | Mark Hennig | Marianne Stribling |
| 3 | Leslie’s Rose | Into Mischief – Wildwood Rose (IRE) | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | John D. Gunther & Eurowest |
| 4 | Prides Crossing | Quality Road – Key to My Heart (IRE) | Cristian Torres | Chad Brown | Summer Wind Equine |
| 5 | Raging Sea | Curlin – Stormy Welcome (Storm Cat) | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | Alpha Delta Stables |
| 6 | Dazzling Move | Not This Time – Lady Liam (Liam’s Map) | Jose Ortiz | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Jesse Korona |
| 7 | Malibu Beauty | Buffum – Slow and Steady (Malibu Moon) | Kendrick Carmouche | Gary Capuano | ZWP Stable & Non Stop Stable |
Top Contenders & Strategic Insights
Raging Sea
Winner of the G1 La Troienne earlier this year and runner-up in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
By Curlin, a sire known for stamina and class on dirt.
Trainer Chad Brown has won multiple editions of the Shuvee and excels with older mares.
Gun Song
By Gun Runner, North America’s leading sire of dirt routers.
Trainer Mark Hennig has her fresh off a strong second in the G3 Obeah Stakes.
Dam Nicole H was a multiple graded stakes winner, adding sprinting class.
Leslie’s Rose
Sired by Into Mischief, known for brilliance and versatility.
Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz Jr. are Saratoga royalty.
Lightly raced but improving, with a sharp third in the G3 Vagrancy.
Pedigree Highlights & Breeding Trends
Sidamara (Arrogate) is bred for stamina and late kick, with dam Spring in the Air a graded stakes winner.
Prides Crossing (Quality Road) has turf influences but has shown dirt adaptability.
Dazzling Move (Not This Time) is a G3 winner with tactical speed and a strong female family.
Malibu Beauty (Buffum) is a Delaware Park specialist stepping up in class.
Expect a moderate pace, with Malibu Beauty and Dazzling Move likely to press early. Raging Sea and Gun Song are ideal for stalking trips and late surges. For Pick 4 or Pick 5 players, Raging Sea is a logical single, but Gun Song and Leslie’s Rose offer value underneath.
