Shakis repeats in Bernard Baruch

Shadwell Stable's homebred SHAKIS (Ire) (Machiavellian) was beaten like a

drum in three previous starts this year, but relished a returned to Saratoga on

Saturday by notching the $200,000

Bernard Baruch H. (G2) for the second consecutive year. Flying down the

center of the course under Alan Garcia, Shakis caught long-time presser War

Monger (War Chant) in the final yards to score by three-quarters of a length in

a time of 1:46 3/5 for 1 1/8 miles on the firm inner turf. The 6-1 third choice

returned $14.80, $8.40 and $6.20 while keying the $144 exacta, $1,261 trifecta

and $5,193 superfecta (6-10-3-2).

"He's very sound and he trains good," winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

"We just wish they ran the Bernard Baruch twice a year."

Shakis joined Win (1984-85) and Hap (2000-01) as the only back-to-back

winners of the Bernard Baruch. Two others, Red Reality (1971, 1973) and

Fourstars Allstar (1992, 1995), won two editions of the race in non-consecutive

years.

Shakis was content to sit in eighth for the opening seven furlongs while

Thorn Song (Unbridled's Song) held a comfortable one-length advantage through

fractions of :23 2/5, :48, 1:11 3/5 and 1:35 1/5. A mad rush ensued turning for

home with War Monger, who stalked in second since the backstretch, taking first

crack at the long-time leader. His lead was very brief, however, as Shakis

finished full of run to nab the victory. The near 7-1 fourth pick, War Monger

held second by three-quarters of a length and paid $8.40 and $5.60. Operation

Red Dawn (Miswaki), who trailed in 10th much of the way, rallied to gain the

show in a four-horse photo. The 9-1 chance brought back $6.30.

Finishing a head behind Operation Red Dawn was Thorn Song, who rounded out

the superfecta by a nose over Elusive Fort (SAf) (Fort Wood). Next under the line

were Proudinsky (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]), Drum Major (Dynaformer), Sensational

Humor (Distorted Humor), Distorted Reality (Distorted Humor) and Yate's Black

Cat (Black Minnaloushe).

Following his victory in last year's Bernard Baruch, Shakis finished third in

the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) in October. He didn't reappear until April 11 this

year when he finished sixth in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1). Favored at close to

even-money in the Dixie S. (G2) in his next start, Shakis finished fifth, 10

lengths behind Pays To Dream. He was also nowhere to be found in the Manhattan

H. (G1), where he finished 7 1/2 lengths behind in ninth. Shakis improved his line to 32-7-4-4 with earnings of $685,532.

Shakis is out of the winning Nashwan mare Tawaaded (Ire), making him a full

brother to the multiple French stakes-placed Sahaat. He has an unraced juvenile

three-quarters sister named Muir Station (Street Cry [Ire]), a yearling

half-sister by Mr. Greeley and a 2008 brother by Dixie Union. This is the family

of champion Devil's Bag (Halo), Grade 2 winner and noted sire Saint Ballado

(Halo) and Canadian Hall of Famer Glorious Song (Halo), who is herself the dam

of top stallions Rahy (Blushing Groom [Fr]) and Singspiel (Ire) (In the Wings

[GB]).