Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Preview
May 24, 2008
5/26 (MON) G1 Shoemaker Mile S.- HOL
This year’s edition of the Shoemaker Mile is worthy of its Grade 1 billing. Stars such as Perfect Drift, Ever A Friend, and Daytona will be looking to take down this $250,000 purse. Perfect Drift returns from a 10 month layoff, while Daytona is fresh off a win in the Arcadia. Ever a Friend won the Frank Kilroe Mile last out, and will try to take this race just as Kip Deville did last year. Let’s take a look at the contenders and try and find the winner.
#1 Perfect Drift- This 9 year old gelding is certainly battled tested and a seasoned vet of the racing circuit. The Shoemaker is certainly an ambitious spot for a comeback. He is 8-2-1-0 on the turf in his long career, so he has showed some ability. He is a wild card in this race, but I would throw him out off of the 10 month layoff.
#2 Mast Track- Robert Frankel trainee is fresh off an a allowance win. Maybe Frankel knows something we don’t but Mast Track certainly seems outclassed in this spot.
#3 Ever A Friend- I like the name on this one. His last win in the Kilroe Mile was against some of the best in the division, and he drew clear by 3 lengths. Mike Mitchell certainly has him cranking! The connections claimed in December for 62k. Quite a claim so far. I like him to run second.
#4 Get Funky- This one is racing second off of the layoff and is winless in 4 starts at the distance. He was second in this race last year, and trainer John Sadler believes he fits here. I wouldn’t be shocked if he won, but I’m not expecting it.
#5 Notional- Winner of the 2007 Risen Star just hasn’t been the same as a 4 year old. His turf efforts have been lackluster and I see no reason to expect him to improve. I have immense respect for Doug O’Neil, but 6th in a state bred stakes last out wont cut it in this Grade 1.
#6 Thousand Words- Poor guy ran into a buzz saw last out against Elite Squadron. He has had some success at this distance, including a nice optional claimer win at this past Santa Anita meet. This one could surprise, but I’m going to look elsewhere.
#7 Hyperbaric- Julio Canani’s lightly raced 5 year old gelding ran a monster last out, and just missed Daytona. Bejarano gets the mount which is definitely a bonus. He is riding lights out right now. He has been very good at this distance posting a 3-2-1-0 record. Hyperbaric could get it done here; respect.
#8 Daytona- Speed to the lead for this one. I wonder why Mike Smith lost the mount? Alex Solis is up for the 3rd consecutive race. He will have to withstand pressure from Ever A Friend and Hyperbaric, but could definitely get it done. Keep an eye open for Daytona, the likely winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile!
1st- Daytona
2nd- Ever a Friend
3rd- Hyperbaric
Plays:
$1 Trifecta Daytona/ Ever A Friend, Hyperbaric/ALL
WIN on Daytona
