Soloshot prevails in the NYSSS Cupecoy’s Joy (Susie Raisher)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— Trainer Lolita Shivmangal delivered an early Father’s Day present on Friday by earning the first stakes victory of her career when Soloshot captured the $150,000 Cupecoy’s Joy Division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies, at Belmont at the Big A.
Shivmangal said growing up around horses helped her to gain the knowledge to start her own training stable, and credited her father, trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal, with fostering her appreciation for the sport.
“I’ve never worked in another barn, it was always my dad,” said Shivmangal. “I’ve been around horses all my life, and without him, I wouldn’t do what I’m doing, and I wouldn’t love it so much. I learned everything from him.”
Owned by Travis and Eddie Racing Stable, Soloshot rated off the pace under Irad Ortiz, Jr. and pounced late find a narrow seam between Being Betty and the pacesetting Geopolitics inside the final sixteenth to score by a nose in a final time of 1:09.03. The effort was awarded a 69 Beyer Speed Figure.
“Oh my God, it was a huge effort,” said Shivmangal. “Even after the race when we went back to the barn at Aqueduct, it’s like she didn’t even run. She was just happy. I was so nervous going into it, and I’m nervous every race, but this one, I was just on edge. But I have a great team of people that works with me, and my barn is family oriented. My family is very much involved.”
Shivmangal, who began training in 2018, is a third-generation horsewoman, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Bulla, and father, into the horse racing industry. The Guyanese family was a competitive outfit in their native country and brought their business to the United States in the 1980s.
Doodnauth, who trained Guyana Star to an astounding 52 wins in his native country according to the Guyana Graphic, went on to start horses at the highest level in America, including the Preakness, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup.
Shivmangal fondly recalled the memory of her father’s first American racehorse purchase, Miss Guyana, who was bought for $8,000 at the 1989 Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale at Belmont Park.
“My grandfather was a trainer in my country, and when he passed away, my dad picked it up. We had a horse named Guyana Star and he won 52 races there,” Shivmangal said. “Then, my dad came to America, and he bought a horse at auction. He came home and he said, ‘Get in the car! We just got our first racehorse in America!’ We all got in the car and went to Belmont and were so excited. He built it from there, and at one time he had 25 horses. Still, my silks for the horses I own are my grandfather’s silks that have been in racing since the 1950s, from my country to here.”
The love and support of her family helped Shivmangal reach her milestone first stakes victory Friday, which was celebrated by a host of her relatives and friends in the winner’s circle. The win came to fruition just three months after Soloshot was claimed for $32,000 out of a runner-up finish on March 3 here. Shivmangal wheeled the filly back in the state-bred East View on March 17 where she finished off the board before turning her focus to turf, a move that has yielded three strong efforts since.
“She had back class and is a 3-year-old New York-bred, so I know being in New York there’s lots of benefits there,” said Shivmangal. “It’s great money, and I like claiming horses. My dad is more of a 2-year-old guy, but I love claiming horses because I love the transformation.”
Shivmangal noted that the daughter of Solomini had a particularly noticeable transformation since entering her barn, and that a strong hands-on approach has helped the filly to blossom.
“She was a finnicky eater when I got her, and she’s become a better eater,” said Shivmangal. “I focused on strengthening her back end, and she is more defined. She’s grown a little, too, and was nervous when she first came in, but we love our horses and kiss them and hug them, and she’s spoiled. We have an owner who comes with cookies and carrots all the time. The horses aren’t a number in my barn.”
The next New York Stallion Stakes Series division is the Statue of Liberty at one mile on July 17 at Saratoga Race Course, a race Shivmangal said could be in play for the talented chestnut. For now though, Shivmangal is content to savor Friday’s victory in the company of her family.
“I said to my dad, ‘We are really blessed, because God is bringing good, humble people to me,’” Shivmangal said. “These owners put their trust in me, and I so appreciate that. I’ve had uncles who were jockeys, and everyone just loves racing. Since I started training, my entire family from all over – in Guyana, Canada, Florida, wherever – are all glued to the TV to watch. My phone was ringing off the hook and everyone was so happy. Racing is in our blood, and there’s a lot of ups and downs, but we come together and get to have a moment like this. It’s why we do it.”
