Shoemaker Mile – Grade I
SA Race #4 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Silver Rocket Crocker Ggs Gutierrez Mario
The three year olds only get a 3Lb allowance today but the draw monster has shown some sympathy to them by giving them the inside two draws which can be worth a few pounds at HRP.
This gelding has won three from four on the grass and one feels his record would look a lot better had the trainer not had a crack at the TC qualifiers on the dirt. He dug deep on an off track last time to take a big ticket allowance and looked much happier to be back racing on the turf after four tough races prior. There is no doubt this is a talented horse but his biggest hurdle to overcome may be his preferred running style which seems to be that of a deep closer. We all know that with a click of a button you can change that but he does look better coming from behind so this draw may prove awkward if he gets trapped on the rail.
2 Proud Bo TwinTowersRacing Sanchez M J
The other three year old he looks a bit like the three year olds of old that used to win grade ones against older horses simply because they got a weight allowance as he has yet to really show any sort of form that approaches this sort of level. Having said that i think we may be seeing a bit of a throw back here as i like the fact his works have been very sharp and i feel he is on the upward curve as far as improvement goes. Sure it is a stretch on his known form but i just feel this one has the look of a big priced winner about him.
3 Express Majestic John Henry Velazquez J R
He seems to have found his mojo this year winning three from three and i really liked his last win in a sub 1.33 time for the turf mile even though it was just a small allowance race. Best drawn of the older horses this may be a step up in class but i think he is ready to take it.
4 Cold Weather Rider Night Rider Stables Cedillo A
A great old battler with a touch of class he really has come into his own as a veteran. Fourth in the BC Turf sprint last year he moved up to the mile for the first time in his career to take the Thunder Road and proved that was no fluke with a good third in the Makers Mark Mile last time out. He is in the best form of his life and is sure to let everyone know he is in the field.
5 Ptyrannical Arindel Pereira T J
In front of Cold Weather Rider when just missing by a nose in the Makers Mark and the winner of the Kilroe Mile before that this is one of the top milers of the year so far and this race looks at his mercy. His recent works have been super quick may even show that he is still getting better so he has to be the form choice for this race.
6 Jakarta Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
This is a consistent sort who has run some of his best races in defeat and is not very far off Ptyrannical as far as having the best form for this race. The winner of the Mathis Brothers Mile last year he has had a stunted season so far with just the one run when fourth in the Elkhorn but that run would’ve brought him on for this and i expect him to be right there at the end.
7 Trumbull Valley Mb Stables Saez L
A consistent and tough sort he has never been consistently successful at stakes level but can turn in some good performances. he was very impressive in a sub 1.33 time over the mile at optional claiming level last time but this is a step up and he may find a couple too good.
8 Cinnamon Strike Smokey Stover Jaramillo E
Gets the wide draw but this is an under rated sort who is working strongly. Capable of running on the speed i think the trainer may use the wide gate to get this one in front and then it will be down to the others to get passed him.
SUMMARY
This looks like it is between Ptyrannical and Jakarta but i will be having a little each way bet or throwing the three year olds in the exotic bets.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
