5/31/2021

  3  SA    Shoemaker Mile (GI) [BC]
$300.000        3yo&Up       1 m    Turf           124lbs

The tote board was lit up a bit in the Shoemaker Mile (GI) as Sccj Stables’ Ohtani got the job done by a nose, being dismissed by the public at 15/1 odds.  That also stamps his ticket to BC Day, where he was second in the BC Mile (GI) last year.  99/1 shot Roman Rage did everything except win, ending a nose back of the winner.  Iron Nation was a head back in third, in yet another tight finish here in Arcadia, and post time favorite Anoush Command was fourth.  The final running time was 1:32.92. 

The field loaded into the gate on the lush SA turf course and got away in good order with Anoush Command showing speed from the rail, Roman Rage and Tim Warrior, Personal Beliefs on the outside all giving chase.  Just in behind that group, Ohtani from the rail, Going Gone between horses and Show Shocker three wide.  Another gap back to Iron Nation on the inside, King Que Niagra on the outside and Zee Model between that pair, then a gap back to the trailing pair of Darth Invader and Cashing Couch Cutie. 

Swing around the clubhouse turn and they had five furlongs to run, as Anoush Command continued to set the pace, Roman Rage kept the pressure on as Personal Beliefs moved up quickly from the far outside.  A length back, Time Warrior tracked in the three path, back to the rail for Ohtani, Going Gone on his flank, another length back to Show Shocker three wide, Iron Nation on the rail and Zee Model between horses, out four wide to King Que Niagra, then Darth Invader and Casting Couch Cutie was till the back marker.

They made their way down the backside and into the far turn with five sixteenths of a mile to run, Anoush Command was making every step on the front end as Roman Rage continued to press his pace, Personal Beliefs on the outside of that one, a gap back to Ohtani saving ground, Time Warrior three wide and Going Gone between them.  Another length back to King Que Niagra caught four wide, Show Shocker to his inside, Zee Model in the two path and Iron Nation on the inside.  Another gap to Darth Invader and Casting Couch Cutie was still the trailer.

Swing around the far turn and into the lane, they went past the furlong marker and Anoush Command continued to show the way by a half length.  Roman Rage was just not going away on his outside, and down along the rail Ohtani was closing in fast on that pair.  Personal Beliefs down the center of the track, another length to Iron Nation along the inside, Going Gone down the center and King Que Niagra on the far outside… the rest had a lot of work to do and a short time to get it done.

Deep stretch and to the wire, Roman Rage had finally gotten to Anoush Command and had a neck in front, and now Ohtani was flying up the inside with Iron Nation in tow… and as they hit the wire is was a blur of horse flesh and silks and the PHOTO sign went up on the infield tote-board.  After viewing the instant video Ohtani was able to get up in the final strides and took the win.  Roman Rage just missed and took the place, and Iron Nation closed late for the third spot with Anoush Command a neck back in fourth.  Zee Model was fifth, King Que Niagra sixth, Personal Beliefs seventh, Show Shocker eighth, Going Gone ninth, Casting Couch Cutie tenth, Time Warrior eleventh and Darth Invader closed this one out. 

Ohtani is a 4yo gray gelded son of Asset Class – Hollywood Abs, by Absolutely and he was bred in Cal by his owner, Sccj Stables.  this was his fourth win from nineteen starts, and he now has earnings of $1,126.200.  This was his first win of the season, but looks to be in great form as we head into the hot summer-time turf stakes schedule. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm           Time: :23¹  :46   1:09   1:32⁴
$1 Exacta: 2 – 4 Paid 3,271.70        $1 Trifecta: 2 – 4 – 3 Paid 1,554.70
Scratched: Royal Roil
 

Ohtani second flight, responded when asked cutting the corner, bold inside move, up in final strides.  Roman Rage pressed the pace throughout short lead in late stretch, nailed on the wire.  Iron Nation taken back, good late effort, gaining late.  Anoush Command alert start, set the pace to deep stretch, out-finished.  Zee Model taken back off of the pace, good late effort.  King Que Niagra rated, swung wide, not a threat.   Personal Beliefs tracked the pace, lost ground through the far turn, tired.  Show Shocker mid-pack early, tired.  Going Gone mid-pack to the lane, tired.  Cashing Couch Cutie was never involved.  Time Warrior pressed pace to the far turn, tired.  Darth Invader was outrun.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES