Eighth in Presque Isle Downs Masters S. on Sept. 15 at Presque Isle Downs
When trainer Donald Chatlos Jr. heard about the new Eclipse Award for female sprinters, he began to map out a campaign for Shaggy Mane that could lead the four-year-old filly to that honor.
Shaggy Mane opened this year's campaign with a victory in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park, but her subsequent two starts in Grade 1 competition failed to find her in the winner's circle.
She rebounded to finish second to River's Prayer in the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) at Calder Race Course, one of the key races in a plan that is intended to culminate in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).
Whatever races Chatlos may have been considering between those two events got knocked out of the equation when Presque Isle Downs offered a purse of $400,000 for its September 15 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes at six furlongs on a Tapeta surface.
It was a monetary offer that Chatlos couldn't refuse with timing that gives Shaggy Mane a six-week break before the Breeders' Cup.
Unfortunately, the wheels came off the cart again as Shaggy Mane dueled for the early lead, got it, and then faded in the stretch to finish eighth and last, beaten 20 1/2-lengths.
Since Shaggy Mane worked out in Southern California on September 9, just six days before the Masters, it may be that the cross-country journey to Pennsylvania had a significant impact on her performance.
Just as significantly, the six week break before the Breeders' Cup seems much more important in the wake of the loss.