The Shadwell Turf Mile (Grade 1) (BC)- $1,000.000 Purse
KEE- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
October 5, 2019
An automatic berth in the BC Mile is at stake as a full field of fourteen goes to the gate for the 15th running of the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile. Of course, the winner does not have to choose the BC Mile. That came into play last year, when Spanish Showboat opted to run in the BC Turf after winning this race. While Spanish Showboat was a versatile horse, that was the best decision for him, and it shows that there can be a decision to be made for trainers of horses that can be contenders in both possible races. Here is a quick look at Saturday’s race!
#1- On The Spot (Mb Stables, ridden by C J Lanerie)- Only began running regularly on the grass this spring after initially starting his career on the turf. His return was successful, winning the Grade 2 Whittingham, and did fare well in the Sword Dancer at SAR in his last start, grabbing the fourth place check. Not the favorite, but certainly capable.
#2- The Ego Has Landed (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by D E Centeno)- After handling soft turf well in the Grade 1 Forester Turf Classic at CD, The Ego Has Landed has not given us much reason to be excited about him. Perhaps something has to give to get him closer to the pace early.
#3- Mojave Rattler (Mo Mentum Farm, ridden by T Gaffalione)- The Snakie gelding has been effective in ungraded stakes, but is searching for his first graded win. That should come at some point, as he looked real sharp in the National Museum of Racing at SAR. If that can be duplicated he is right there with the bigger names in this race.
#4- Spiral (Mb Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- A late blooming three year old that is making just the fourth start of his career. He is a perfect 3-for-3, including a stunning come from well behind the rabbit effort in the $1,000.000 JC Derby. I’m more impressed with his win at ELP in August.
#5- Puako (Smokey Stover, ridden by F Pennington)- Here is another three year old making just the fourth start of his career. Puako, unlike Spiral, has not attempted a stake of any type yet, but is coming off a nice win in an ELP allowance against two others were almost everyone in the grandstands bet on him.
#6- Name Drop (Fractious, ridden by Mario Gutierrez)- After the Fractious to John Henry train seemed to be one way with many transactions with an apparent sell out, Name Drop went the other way a couple days ago. Must be nice. Horse was sixth in the BC Mile last year.
#7- Going Gone (John Henry, ridden by A A Gallardo)- The next two horses in the gate come out of the WO Mile, and they finished very close to one another. Going Gone was third there, but boasts a win in the Shoemaker Mile, making him a top threat here, and a strong BC Mile contender.
#8- Cherra Grans (Team 7 Illusions, ridden by L H Colon)– Just missed out in the WO Mile, finishing second by a nose to Decision In Five. The highlight of his season was winning the Grade 2 American Turf, but the gelding looks to be coming into his own right now, which is the best time to be doing so.
#9- Ardetha (Aer Stables, ridden by A Bocachica)- After having success in KYD prep races, things have not gone well for Ardetha since attempting the big race itself. So, it’s off to the grass to make his turf debut. The Shadwell is a pretty tough place to do that. Solid work at BEL coming into the race, though.
#10- The Joker (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by J Lezcano)- He was happy to see a more reasonable pace in his last race after the joke of a pace from the DMR Handicap. Although maybe not, since he was second in that, but off the board in his last start. The distance is shorted up here.
#11- Banshee Star (Joseph Racing, ridden by A Beschizza)- The five year old gelding makes the 31st start of his career in this race in an effort to return to the BC Mile. His last start was his only start of 2019 on firm turf, and he was third there in the DMR Mile. Still seems to be on good overall form.
#12- Nowhere Man (Mb Stables, ridden by E Maldonado)- He’s been a regular runner at this condition, and has won two of his last three races. Most recently, he was first in the Grade 2 Baruch Handicap at SAR, and also won the Forbidden Apple there at the start of the meet. Has some excellent works coming into the race.
#13- The Grandmaster- Scratched
#14- Lunar Blaze (John Henry, ridden by J R Velazquez)- It was a year that began with a win in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf, the second of three straight wins also including the Kilroe Mile (Grade 1). The gritty veteran was back on top of the division, but has only hit the board once in his five starts since. Three of his last four starts have been from a double digit post. Make it four out of five, now.
#15- Sundays Sauce (Calia Stable, ridden by M Tunon)- Getting into the field due to a scratch, this gelding has mostly been a turf sprinter, and he has had some success at that. After a blistering mile work, the horse makes his second graded start of his career. His seven furlong races are impressive, but this is a tough post to start from.
Prediction: 7-8-6-12
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
