Shoemaker Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The Memorial Day feature at Hollywood Park, the $250,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1),
pits three quality speed horses against each other. While one of them could
theoretically secure the lead, slow down the tempo, and abscond with the prize,
it’s more logical to envision a pressured pace, if not an outright duel through
fast splits. If so, the closer most eligible to pick up the pieces is GALLANT
SON (Malabar Gold), who exploited just such a scenario to score handily in the 1
1/16-mile Inglewood H. (G3) over the course on April 25. Although the four-year-old’s
overall resume does not scream Grade 1 winner, he shapes up as a turf horse who
has been spending too much time on synthetics. Indeed, the Frank Lucarelli
charge is two-for-three on grass, with a victory in the 2009 Pasadena S. and a
runner-up effort to the top-class The Usual Q. T. (Unusual Heat) in the Sir
Beaufort S. (G3) last December. On that evidence, Gallant Son has the class to
perform at this level, and with circumstances likely to be in his favor Monday,
he can break through beneath a returning Mike Smith.

KARELIAN (Bertrando) is the likeliest of the pace factors to hold on grimly
to the very end. Partly, this is because he has done so already in both the
Tampa Bay S. and Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) in his past two, beating dual champion
Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in the former and Court Vision (Gulch) in the
latter. Reinforcing Karelian’s propensity to hang on is the fact that he’s no
one-dimensional front runner. The Rusty Arnold veteran is happy to take charge
if no one else wants to lead, but the eight-year-old is equally capable of
stalking if conditions suit. Karelian figures to track the other committed speed
in here before striking the front, and he is a very difficult horse to pass.
Rafael Bejarano takes over for the sidelined Julien Leparoux.

The streaking COMPARI (Redattore [Brz]) is sure to blaze to the front, in a
bid to emulate his wire-to-wire heroics in the Arcadia H. (G2), Crystal Water H.
and Sensational Star H. this campaign. The Arcadia form is impeccable on paper,
since runner-up Fluke (Brz) (Wild Event) and third-place finisher Battle of
Hastings (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) had previously filled those same placings in
the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1). On the other hand, Compari got away with a
much steadier pace that day, a luxury he won’t have on Monday. Factor in the
minor foot issue that kept him out of the Inglewood, and the likelihood of his
extending his winning streak to seven begins to recede. We still have a lot of
respect for the once-beaten gelding, and will use him in our exotics.

Like our top selection, Eddie Read (G1) star GLOBAL HUNTER (Arg) (Jade
Hunter) should relish the prospect of a hot early pace. Unlike Gallant Son,
Global Hunter is coming off a seven-month layoff and may need a race or two to
reach his peak. Still, the seven-year-old has been training sharply for A.C.
Avila, and with his class and running style, he should crack the superfecta with
new pilot Omar Berrio. GOLDEN BALLS (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) rolled home for
fourth in the Arcadia in his first start back from an 18-month layoff, and a
repeat of that would make him a major factor here. Unfortunately, he since came
right back and faded to sixth in the San Francisco Mile (G2), perhaps regressing
off his comeback. We’ve always thought highly of this lightly-raced six-year-old
and want to give him another shot to regroup.

BLUE CHAGALL (Fr) (Testa Rossa) has yet to duplicate his Group 3-winning
French form in the United States. A late runner, the Julio Canani trainee has
been compromised by a lack of early pace at times, but will not have to face
such an obstacle here. Judging by his decent fourth in the Kilroe three back, he
can hold his own in Grade 1 company. Blue Chagall nevertheless remains a
hit-or-miss type, and one to treat more with caution than confidence. NOBLE
COURT (Doneraile Court) has plied his trade as a closing sprinter for John
Sadler. He’s an unknown quantity going a mile on the turf, and he might well
have class concerns too. We won’t be surprised if he motors home, but we’ll run
the risk.

MR GRUFF (Mr. Greeley) has displayed scorching speed in winning four straight
over Santa Anita’s downhill turf, including the past two runnings of the San
Simeon H. (G3). Were he lone speed, we might give him more of a chance, but
facing Compari and Karelian is a rude introduction to two-turn racing. We’ll
take a stand against in his first start beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. San Simeon
runner-up VICTOR’S CRY (Street Cry [Ire]) couldn’t make the frame in his past
graded attempts over a grassy mile. TANGLED TANGO (Petionville) was a useful
turf sophomore in 2008, but needs to improve dramatically off his 2009 form to
take a hand in a tough seasonal reappearance.