Spendthrift Farm‘s Leslie’s Rose returned to winning form with a decisive victory in the GII Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga Friday afternoon.
The ‘TDN Rising Star’ and daughter of Into Mischief rebounded from a troubled run in the GI Ogden Phipps Stakes last month, where sloppy track conditions forced her to be eased in the stretch.
Leslie’s Rose ($10.40) tracked early leader Dazzling Move through fractions of :23.62, :47.56, and 1:11.78 before powering away in the stretch to win by 3 3/4 lengths under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Dazzling Move held second while 3-5 favorite Raging Sea finished third.
“She doesn’t care for sloppy conditions and unfortunately we caught those last time—it literally started raining on the way to the paddock and it was the same thing in the Kentucky Oaks,” said trainer Todd Pletcher.
The victory marks a significant turnaround for Leslie’s Rose, who had faced a series of challenging races. Her previous three starts included second and fourth-place finishes behind Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the GI Acorn Stakes and GI CCA Oaks last year, followed by a narrow defeat in the GIII Vagrancy Stakes in May.
Pletcher noted the tactical advantage his filly displayed throughout the race.
“We got a great trip. She’s very tactical—good tactical speed, and put herself in a good position going into the turn and it worked out the way we hoped,” he said.
When asked about targeting the GI Personal Ensign Stakes on August 23—a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff—Pletcher confirmed: “I think so. She ran awfully well here today. We’ll circle that and point towards it.”
The Whisper Hill Farm-owned filly has now compiled a lifetime record of 10-4-1-2 with earnings of $743,800.
She's back! 🌹 #3 LESLIE'S ROSE ($10.40) battles in the Saratoga stretch under @iradortiz to win the $200,000 Shuvee Stakes (G2) for @PletcherRacing and owner @whisper_hill. Another graded stakes winner for @spendthriftfarm's Into Mischief.
Bet Saratoga https://t.co/WBsgDcEauN pic.twitter.com/hiIR11KI3X
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
She's back! 🌹 #3 LESLIE'S ROSE ($10.40) battles in the Saratoga stretch under July 18, 2025
Pedigree Notes
Leslie’s Rose, a $1.15-million Keeneland September yearling purchase, comes from an impressive family that includes GI Florida Derby winner Materiality and GSW & MGISP My Miss Sophia through her dam, Wildwood Rose (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Her dam is a half-sister to My Miss Sophia, who produced GISW Annapolis and MSP Nevisian Sunrise. Another half-sister is the dam of SW & GISP Grand Mo the First and SP Palladium.
Wildwood Rose has produced two offspring since Leslie’s Rose: a placed 3-year-old named Divine Rose (Good Magic) and a yearling filly by Not This Time. She was bred to Gun Runner for 2026.
Second dam SW & MGSP Wildwood Flower (Langfuhr) is a half-sibling to MGSW & GISP Eye of the Tiger and to the mare who produced GISW Afleet Express, MSW & MGSP Reporting for Duty, and GISW Embellish the Lace.
Race Results
SHUVEE S.-GII, $200,000, Saratoga, 7-18, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:50.77, ft.
1–LESLIE’S ROSE, 124, f, 4, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Wildwood Rose (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Wildwood Flower, by Langfuhr
3rd Dam: Dial a Trick, by Phone Trick
‘TDN Rising Star’. ($1,150,000 Ylg ’22 KEESEP).
O-Whisper Hill Farm LLC; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (KY);
T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $110,000.
Lifetime Record: GISW, 10-4-1-2, $743,800.
2–Dazzling Move, 122, f, 4, Not This Time–Lady Liam, by Saint Liam.
($85,000 RNA Ylg ’22 KEESEP; $135,000 2yo ’23 EASMAY).
O-Miller Racing LLC; B-Jesse Korona (ON); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $40,000.
3–Raging Sea, 124, m, 5, Curlin–Stormy Welcome, by Storm Cat.
($300,000 RNA Ylg ’21 KEESEP). O/B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY);
T-Chad C. Brown. $24,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, 9 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 4.20, 4.40, 0.65.
Also Ran: Gun Song, Prides Crossing, Malibu Beauty, Sidamara.
