Shoemaker BC Mile J

The Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile S. (G1) on Memorial Day at Hollywood Park is
an ultra-competitive affair, with several in the seven-strong field holding
solid claims in the turf contest. Considering that five of these had run in the
tough Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1), however, we think it’s significant that
SILENT NAME (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) throttled the Kilroe winner and third-placer
when capturing the one-mile Arcadia H. (G2) in dashing style, posting a 103 BRIS
Speed rating. The Gary Mandella charge, who was making only his second U.S.
start in the Arcadia, traveled beautifully in the early going, tucked just
behind a demanding pace, then struck the front on the turn and powered clear,
sublimely indifferent to any closers mounting challenges from the rear. The
Shoemaker figures to unfold in a similar manner, with no shortage of early speed
on offer, and Silent Name should get a similar trip. Victor Espinoza will renew
his acquaintance with the bay colt, having ridden him to victory in his American
bow in a Santa Anita allowance.

Perhaps the most brilliant closer in the group is CHARMO (Fr) (Charnwood
Forest [Ire]), who’s three-for-four at a mile since coming to America and taking
up residence with Julio Canani. His only stateside loss at this trip was in the
Kilroe, run over a course labeled good, in which he wound up sixth but was
beaten just one length. The gray came right back to storm home a decisive winner
in the San Francisco Breeders’ Cup Mile S. (G2), unleashing an explosive move on
the turn to defeat Kilroe runner-up ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway). If he gets
the really firm ground he revels in, Charmo should uncork his patented late kick
(his best BRIS Late Pace rating is a 105) beneath a returning Martin Pedroza.

Kilroe winner MILK IT MICK (GB) (Millkom [GB]) never landed a blow against
Silent Name when third in the Arcadia, but the Jim Cassidy trainee has turned in
four solid efforts so far in America, with his Speed figures topping the century
mark each time. He’s exiting a frustrating third in the Woodford Reserve Turf
Classic S. (G1) at Churchill Downs, suffering from no room to run in deep
stretch. If there were any question about how he’s come out of that tough loss
and the back-and-forth shipping, Milk It Mick answered it with a five-furlong
bullet in :58 4/5 last weekend. David Flores, who partnered him in the Arcadia,
will be back aboard.

French Group 3 winner DIAMOND GREEN (Fr) (Green Desert) has ability, as his multiple Group 1 placings attest,
but we’re wary of a likely short-priced horse who enjoys running second
(14-4-6-1). The five-year-old came into the care of Bobby Frankel last summer,
finishing second in Saratoga’s Troy S. to subsequent Kelso Breeders’ Cup H. (G2)
winner Funfair (GB). He was shelved thereafter until April, when he closed off
dawdling fractions to prevail in a one-mile allowance/optional claimer, earning
a 107 Late Pace rating. While it would be no surprise to see him land his first
prize at the top level, we’re not entirely convinced of his character.

The Neil Drysdale-trained Aragorn was a valiant second in the Kilroe and
settled for runner-up honors again at Golden Gate behind Charmo. Since this
represents his third start back after a layoff, the four-year-old chestnut is
eligible to move forward and could spring a surprise. Kilroe rider Corey
Nakatani will be in the saddle.

WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer) will probably dictate the pace. Although he employed
this tactic successfully in the Inglewood H. (G3) last time out at Hollywood,
he’ll get a tougher trip this time with Aragorn breathing down his neck and
Silent Name in close attendance. He faded to seventh when carving out a
contested pace in the Kilroe, but in fairness, he wasn’t totally fit for that
event. The Vladimir Cerin pupil will lead the field for a long way this time and
could hang on for a minor award.

Drysdale’s other hopeful, TERROPLANE (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]), usually gives a
good account of himself, but he’s yet to win a stakes. There’s little reason to
suppose the Kilroe fifth and Arcadia fourth will turn the form on its head.