The Shoemaker Mile – GI [BC]
5/27/19
SA Race 2 1M – Turf
Purse $500.000
Three Year Olds and Up

A field of ten turf specialists are entered up for this years running of the Breeders Cup “Win and You’re In” Shoemaker Mile here over the Santa Anita turf course. Last years winner Z One Chance will be going for a repeat win in the race. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Regret Nothing (17-4-2-2 $747.800), trained by Estero Farms

The first runner in the field right here is coming into this field off of a win in the Crystal Waters Stakes which was for California breds over this same course and distance. This is a big step up in class for him though and I don’t really see him being much of a threat unless he runs huge.

2. Z One Chance (20-8-5-1 $1345.540), trained by John Henry

Last years winner of this race right here and he is coming into this years running off of some dirt sprints. He is very versatile but I do think that a mile on the turf is his absolute best race. I think he has a pretty good chance at repeating but he will need to run a big race to get the job done.

3. Block Message (15-5-4-2 $301.600), trained by Tiratzo

And now to this horse right here who is coming into this race off of a third place finish in the grade one Makers Mark Mile at Keeneland. Granted that was a five horse field but he still ran a big race that day. Sometimes he goes to the lead and when he gets a clear lead he can be dangerous.

4. Balsamic Moon (16-5-2-2 $212.880), trained by Dagg Ranch

Well here is the one in the race that I can pretty much say has no chance at winning. He has not been very competitive this year and the trainer only has six starts on the year so it is a questionable entry for sure. I just do not see him having a chance at all in this spot.

5. Going Gone (25-7-5-3 $494.720), trained by John Henry

The second runner for John Henry right here and this horse is coming out of the Sensational Star Stakes which is on this same turf course but down the hill. He was a close third that day and ran a good race. He usually likes to close from behind so a quick pace would benefit him.

6. Sweet Son (32-7-7-4 $919.950), trained by Oval Express Farms

Well here we have one that is cutting back in distance pretty significantly as he is coming out of the grade two Elkhorn at Keeneland which is a mile and half. He hated the soft turf that day and got beat by ten lengths. He is very inconsistent so who knows what type of race he will run.

7. Decibel (18-5-5-2 $1152.300), trained by Threshold

One of the most classiest horses in the field is this horse right here. He was fifth in the grade one Breeders Cup Mile last year. He is a grade one winner and a very classy horse and if he runs like he can when he is at his best he could definitely win this race.

8. Id Rather Go Blind (20-1-4-3 $148.920), trained by TwinTowers Racing

And now to this horse right here who is one that is very camera shy because he just never seems to win. He usually runs his race but his usual come from behind style usually doesn’t get him in front. He will need a pace meltdown in here to go by these quality of runners.

9. The Hand Youre Dealt (22-7-5-4 $861.480), trained by Mb Stables

One of those coming out of the Makers Mark Mile right here is this horse and he was a closing second that day. He was fourth in the grade one Breeders Cup Mile last year and he is also a grade one winner. He is a very good horse and is definitely one of the top contenders.

10. Devilish Luck (15-6-4-1 $877.020), trained by D J C Racing Stables

And the final runner in the field right here is the winner of the grade one Makers Mark Mile. He beat a couple others in this field that day and that was definitely his biggest win so far. If he can repeat that performance there is no doubt he can win this but it is a tough task from this post.

Summary

Well definitely a very good field we have here and there is at least five or six that I could make a very strong case for in here. My top pick goes to Decibel as I think he is sitting on a very big race in here. Good luck to all in this quality field.

7-10-9-3

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