Shoemaker Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The Memorial Day feature at Hollywood Park, the $250,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1),

pits three quality speed horses against each other. While one of them could

theoretically secure the lead, slow down the tempo, and abscond with the prize,

it's more logical to envision a pressured pace, if not an outright duel through

fast splits. If so, the closer most eligible to pick up the pieces is GALLANT

SON (Malabar Gold), who exploited just such a scenario to score handily in the 1

1/16-mile Inglewood H. (G3) over the course on April 25. Although the four-year-old's

overall resume does not scream Grade 1 winner, he shapes up as a turf horse who

has been spending too much time on synthetics. Indeed, the Frank Lucarelli

charge is two-for-three on grass, with a victory in the 2009 Pasadena S. and a

runner-up effort to the top-class The Usual Q. T. (Unusual Heat) in the Sir

Beaufort S. (G3) last December. On that evidence, Gallant Son has the class to

perform at this level, and with circumstances likely to be in his favor Monday,

he can break through beneath a returning Mike Smith.

KARELIAN (Bertrando) is the likeliest of the pace factors to hold on grimly

to the very end. Partly, this is because he has done so already in both the

Tampa Bay S. and Maker's Mark Mile (G1) in his past two, beating dual champion

Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in the former and Court Vision (Gulch) in the

latter. Reinforcing Karelian's propensity to hang on is the fact that he's no

one-dimensional front runner. The Rusty Arnold veteran is happy to take charge

if no one else wants to lead, but the eight-year-old is equally capable of

stalking if conditions suit. Karelian figures to track the other committed speed

in here before striking the front, and he is a very difficult horse to pass.

Rafael Bejarano takes over for the sidelined Julien Leparoux.

The streaking COMPARI (Redattore [Brz]) is sure to blaze to the front, in a

bid to emulate his wire-to-wire heroics in the Arcadia H. (G2), Crystal Water H.

and Sensational Star H. this campaign. The Arcadia form is impeccable on paper,

since runner-up Fluke (Brz) (Wild Event) and third-place finisher Battle of

Hastings (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) had previously filled those same placings in

the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1). On the other hand, Compari got away with a

much steadier pace that day, a luxury he won't have on Monday. Factor in the

minor foot issue that kept him out of the Inglewood, and the likelihood of his

extending his winning streak to seven begins to recede. We still have a lot of

respect for the once-beaten gelding, and will use him in our exotics.

Like our top selection, Eddie Read (G1) star GLOBAL HUNTER (Arg) (Jade

Hunter) should relish the prospect of a hot early pace. Unlike Gallant Son,

Global Hunter is coming off a seven-month layoff and may need a race or two to

reach his peak. Still, the seven-year-old has been training sharply for A.C.

Avila, and with his class and running style, he should crack the superfecta with

new pilot Omar Berrio. GOLDEN BALLS (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) rolled home for

fourth in the Arcadia in his first start back from an 18-month layoff, and a

repeat of that would make him a major factor here. Unfortunately, he since came

right back and faded to sixth in the San Francisco Mile (G2), perhaps regressing

off his comeback. We've always thought highly of this lightly-raced six-year-old

and want to give him another shot to regroup.

BLUE CHAGALL (Fr) (Testa Rossa) has yet to duplicate his Group 3-winning

French form in the United States. A late runner, the Julio Canani trainee has

been compromised by a lack of early pace at times, but will not have to face

such an obstacle here. Judging by his decent fourth in the Kilroe three back, he

can hold his own in Grade 1 company. Blue Chagall nevertheless remains a

hit-or-miss type, and one to treat more with caution than confidence. NOBLE

COURT (Doneraile Court) has plied his trade as a closing sprinter for John

Sadler. He's an unknown quantity going a mile on the turf, and he might well

have class concerns too. We won't be surprised if he motors home, but we'll run

the risk.

MR GRUFF (Mr. Greeley) has displayed scorching speed in winning four straight

over Santa Anita's downhill turf, including the past two runnings of the San

Simeon H. (G3). Were he lone speed, we might give him more of a chance, but

facing Compari and Karelian is a rude introduction to two-turn racing. We'll

take a stand against in his first start beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. San Simeon

runner-up VICTOR'S CRY (Street Cry [Ire]) couldn't make the frame in his past

graded attempts over a grassy mile. TANGLED TANGO (Petionville) was a useful

turf sophomore in 2008, but needs to improve dramatically off his 2009 form to

take a hand in a tough seasonal reappearance.