Breakthrough victory for Dr. Shane in lucrative NY Breeders’ Futurity

by Sarah Mace

Relatively dismissed at 13-1 odds in the face of heavily-backed favorite Championofthenile, Dutchess Views Farm [2]homebred Dr. Shane, winless since breaking his maiden on debut going five furlongs at Belmont on May 29, achieved a breakthrough stakes victory in the $296,693 New York Breeders’ Futurity contested at six furlongs on Saturday afternoon at Finger Lakes.

A dark bay son of Freud trained for Dutchess Views by Nicholas Esler, Dr. Shane has been competing solely in stakes since his maiden win. Although overmatched second out in the open Tremont at Belmont on June 5 (won by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile contender Cocked and Loaded), he has been consistently taking nibbles against state-bred juveniles while posting steadily improving Beyer Speed Figures. He finished third to Manipulated in Belmont’s Rockville Centre on July 18, third to Sudden Surprise in the Funny Cide at Saratoga on August 28 and second to Love That Jazz (also in the Futurity) in the Aspirant at Finger Lakes on September 18 for a career-high 68 Beyer.

Partnered for the first time with leading Finger Lakes rider Jaime Rodriguez, Dr. Shane broke alertly from the inside post of six, but wisely settled back off the blistering pace set by longshot Saratoga Giro, Love That Jazz and Championofthenile, who were locked in a three-ply battle for the lead through a first quarter mile in 21.93. The half went in 45.49.

Through the turn Dr. Shane advanced into striking position, poised to loop the frontrunners four wide, while Championofthenile cut the corner at the head of the stretch, shook off his two rivals and assumed clear lead.

Dr. Shane continued his bid with energy, ran down Championofthenile inside the furlong grounds, then opened up to a two-length victory. Mind Your Biscuits was third, followed by Saratoga Giro and Love that Jazz. The final time was 1:12.85. [VIDEO[4]] The stretch run of the Futurity was marred by the breakdown of longshot Sky Devil, who was making a bid from the back of the pack four wide at the head of the stretch. He was vanned off and there was no word from the racetrack about his condition.

Dr. Shane’s $124,176 winner’s share of the Futurity purse brings his earnings to $220,328, while his career record now stands at two wins, a second and two thirds from six starts. He is one of two winners out of French Link, an unraced daughter of Orientate, who is also the dam of Esther the Queen by Purim. The mare currently has a weanling filly by Desert Party and was bred back to Freud this year.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2015/10/18/dr-shane-ny-breeders-futurity/

---