Doodnauth Shivmangal, owner and trainer of Shkspeare Shaliyah, is attempting to raise money to supplement
the colt to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on November 5 at
Churchill Downs.
After finishing third in his August 27 debut at Saratoga, Shkspeare
Shaliyah won two starts at Belmont Park, breaking his maiden on September 18
and giving his trainer his first graded stakes victory by taking the Grade 3
Pilgrim on October 9.
“He came out of the [Pilgrim] perfect,” reported Shivmangal.
“Nothing bothered him and he didn’t lose any weight. He’s
been doing everything perfectly from the race until now.”
To run Shkspeare Shaliyah in the Juvenile Turf, Shivmangal would have
to pay $100,000 to supplement the colt and $30,000 in pre-entry and entry fees.
“I’m not scared to take this horse to any kind of
race,” said Shivmangal. “We knew at Saratoga he could run, and I’m not
scared of the Breeders’ Cup. It’s hard for us to put up the money.
There a lot of people who called to buy the horse, but [running the horse
under] my silks means more than the money. Everything is going the way
it’s supposed to be. It’s hard for us to supplement the horse for
$100,000, but we have to get it done.”
Shkspeare Shaliyah has come from off the pace in his three starts, and
Shivmangal believes his running style will be beneficial in the Breeders’
Cup.
“I know Shaliyah has the last kick,” said Shivmangal.
“He has a special engine, this horse. If he can get a pace in front of
him, he’ll run a better race.”
Shivmangal said Skspeare Shaliyah will have his first post-Pilgrim
breeze this week, with the colt to either work Thursday on turf or Saturday on
dirt.