Shimmering Allure triumphs in the Tempted Nov. 5 at Aqueduct (Chelsea Durand)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— Walking L Thoroughbreds’ graded stakes-placed Shimmering Allure will make her third consecutive start at Aqueduct Racetrack when taking on the nine-furlong, $100,000 Busanda for sophomore fillies on January 13 for trainer Kenny McPeek.
The Busanda is the first Kentucky Oaks prep race of the year in New York, and offers the top-five finishers 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points, respectively, towards the prestigious Grade 1 test on the first Friday in May at Churchill Downs.
Shimmering Allure has posted two recent works at Belmont Park in preparation for the Busanda, including a half-mile breeze in 49 seconds flat on Saturday.
“She’ll get one more maintenance breeze before she runs,” said McPeek.
“She’s very professional and it’s not complicated with her. She’s in a nice routine and at this stage, we’re proud of what she’s accomplished. Hopefully she can accomplish more.”
The daughter of Enticed was last seen finishing second to Life Talk in the Grade 2, $250,000 Demoiselle traveling nine furlongs at the Big A main on December 2. There, the dark bay stalked two lengths off the pace in fifth as Life Talk led each step of the way and marked splits of 24.10 seconds, 48.65 and 1:13.10 over the muddy and sealed main track.
Shimmering Allure was asked for her best in the turn by Junior Alvarado and steadily made up ground in the three-path to be within two lengths of the lead at the top of the lane, but could not reel in Life Talk as she completed the course 3 3/4 lengths ahead in a final time of 1:51.10. Shimmering Allure was awarded a career-best 79 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort, and collected five qualifying points towards the Kentucky Oaks.
“It was another professional run and she’s rock-solid,” said McPeek. “I don’t know that we’ll keep her in New York all winter, but we’ll see.”
The Busanda is also expected to attract Most Of All and Princess Mayfair with Gin Gin, Class Act and Zuma among the possible starters.
The consistent filly has hit the board in 5-of-7 lifetime outings, including a fourth-out graduation in a restricted maiden in September at Churchill Downs, and a respectable fourth-place effort in the Grade 1 Alcibiades in October at Keeneland where she was headed out of show honors by Alys Beach. She followed with a strong three-length triumph from off-the-pace in the one-mile Tempted in November at the Big A ahead of her Demoiselle effort.
A $40,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale, Shimmering Allure is out of the stakes-placed Wild Again mare Shimmering Tale and is a half-sister to stakes-placed winners Shimmering Dream and My Daughter’s Song. She boasts a lifetime record of 7-2-3-0 with $239,095 in total purse earnings.
