Multiple Grade 1 queen VENTURA (Chester House), a gallant second in both of
her attempts versus males in North America, hopes that the third time’s the
charm in Monday’s $250,000
Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Hollywood Park. The Bobby Frankel mare gets in with a
119-pound impost, receiving a five-pound break in the weights from her seven
male opponents.
If Ventura is victorious, she would become only the third distaffer to win
the Shoemaker in its 65-year history. Its first two female stars, Happy Issue
(1946) and Special Touch (1951), won the event in its former incarnation, when
it was contested at six furlongs on the main track and known as the Hollywood
Premiere H. Special Touch was ridden by none other than Hall of Famer Willie
Shoemaker himself, for whom the race, now held at one mile on turf, was renamed
in 1990.
Ventura has occasionally been nabbed at the line by fillies too. In her only
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The expected quick pace in the Shoemaker could play right into Ventura’s
late-running strengths, but it will also suit the highly regarded WHATSTHESCRIPT
(Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), who will make his 2009 bow for John Sadler. In his
2008 debut at Hollywood, the bay turned in a scintillating display when landing
the American H. (G2) over STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein) and HYPERBARIC (Sky
Classic). Whatsthescript was a respectable third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1)
in October, perhaps compromised by being stuck in post 11, but will save ground
from post 2 here with new rider Joel Rosario.
Citation H. (G1) winner Hyperbaric and Argentinean champion Storm Military
figure to flash early speed, along with Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) victor THORN
SONG (Unbridled’s Song). Hyperbaric and Thorn Song will try to rebound off
disappointing efforts. Hyperbaric, third in last year’s Shoemaker, faded to
finish 14th in the super-tough Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) last time out, but the
hitherto consistent performer should do much better back on his home turf. The
Julio Canani charge gets a rider switch to Victor Espinoza. The front-running
Thorn Song wound up fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Woodford Reserve Turf
Classic (G1) and Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) in his past two. Mike Smith picks up the
mount on the Dale Romans-trained gray, who will bid to carry his speed farther
in his Hollywood debut.
Storm Military, a stablemate of Ventura, returned from an eight-month layoff
to finish a game runner-up to Madeo (Mizzen Mast) in the Inglewood H. (G3) over
the course. Irish highweight U S RANGER (Danzig) was another head away in third,
and he too should move forward in his third start off a layoff for Neil Drysdale.
In his final start of 2008, U S Ranger was a creditable fifth in the Breeders’
Cup Mile. Brice Blanc will be back aboard Storm Military for Frankel, while
Rafael Bejarano will get acquainted with U S Ranger.
Richard Mandella will saddle two who project stalking trips in the Shoemaker.
The more accomplished of the duo is DIXIE CHATTER (Dixie Union). A Grade 1
winner as a juvenile, the bay was a close third to Gio Ponti and Ventura in the
Kilroe, and he exits a driving score in the Arcadia H. (G2). Tyler Baze sticks
with the honest campaigner. TIZ WEST (Gone West) lost his form after landing the
Cinema H. (G3) here last summer, but was freshened and prepped for this
engagement with a useful fourth in the San Simeon H. (G3) sprinting down the
hill. Joe Talamo has the call.