The Shoemaker Mile Grade 1
- Without Parole (GB)- Ortiz Jr./ Brown
- His only start at a mile in the states was a 3rd in the Breeders Cup Mile. I think this horse benefits at a Mile, and the best effort of his career has come at SA at a mile with Irad Ortiz back again. Back with Lasix again today and should have enough pace to close in to. A top choice for me.
- True Valour (IRE)- Valdivia Jr./Callaghan
- Valdivia Jr. rides today for Simon Callaghan and is coming out of Graded stakes but only runner up finishes. He should be sitting more mid pack than the 1. His speed figures are lower than others but he’s not out of it. I will be looking elsewhere.
- Next Shares- Velazquez/Batlas
- Velazquez has only ridden this horse once and it was in the BC Mile in 2019. That race didn’t end up with a positive result at all because he finished last. I think Velazquez is a very talented jockey who will give this horse the backing he needs to improve, but I think there is better elsewhere in here.
- Voodoo Song- Smith/Mandella
- Good old Voodoo Song. The Saratoga Specialist. Since moving out west and joining the Mandella barn he has only had 1 start back in March which didn’t amount to much. His recent works have been super positive as of late, and I think if he gets the lead, he can go gate to wire. However, there’s a lot of speed in this race.
- War of Will- Prat/Casse
- I just don’t see the appeal of turf for War of Will. The original Derby winner goes back to turf which he has a 2nd and a 3rd out of 4 starts. Nothing screams Grade 1 turf horse for me on this. 4/1 is a huge underlay and I will pass.
- Blitzkrieg- Van Dyke/O’Neill
- Blitzkrieg, screams sprinter for me on turf so the Mile is slightly too far for me. I do like Drayden getting aboard as he is the best US rider on this horse since Prat back in January of 2019. I think he has a real good chance to run in exotics.
- Majestic Eagle- Velez/Drysdale
- Majestic Eagle is a first time gelding and should be closing. Gets Velez aboard today for the first time and even as a talented young jockey, he is probably the lesser of this horse’s old jockeys. Majestic Eagle might be more focused with the Gelding change but I think underneath is the only spot I can put him today.
- Raging Bull (FR)- Rosario/Brown
- Raging Bull probably will be the favorite here but I don’t think a flat mile is his preferred distance. The layoff doesn’t benefit him in my opinion either but I just do not like layoffs of 6 months or more, especially as morning-line favorites. Joel Rosario should be rolling late but I think the other Brown is the better horse in this spot.
- March to the Arch- V.Espinoza/Casse
- I think this Casse has a lot better of a chance than War of Will to me. This gelding will be flying home late with Victor Espinoza. I think Espinoza will be able to get comfortable on this horse and be able to make a solid effort when timing his one run. Should be flying late.
- Neptune’s Storm- Rispoli/Batlas
- Neptune’s Storm is the most interesting horse in the field for me. I don’t know if I like this horse or want to toss this horse. I think he will be sitting super close to the pacesetters and Rispoli is a great turf jockey. At 15/1 should be a huge overlay in my opinion so I’m expecting some money being bet on him.
- River Boyne (IRE)- Cedillo/ Mullins
- River Boyne (IRE) is my top selection here. Abel Cedillo has been on fire this weekend coming into this race and should be able to lay in around the first turn to sit a very pleasing trip. I think if Abel sits this horse 4th or 5th, he will be making a huge run late. Coming out of a Grade 1 win, this horse figures here.
TOP PICK:
#11 River Boyne (IRE)
#1 Without Parole (GB)
#6 Blitzkreig