Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile | Race 9 | Santa Anita | May 26


This race is one of the top turf events of Santa Anita's spring meeting and features a competitive field of middle-distance specialists competing for prestigious honors on Memorial Day. The event has drawn several accomplished stakes performers, including recent graded stakes winners and thoroughbreds aiming for their first Grade 1 victory.


1. Seal Team (6/1) Richard Mandella / Juan Hernandez


This is the first of two horses in this field, conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. Seal Team enters the Shoemaker Mile, making his second start of 2025 following a promising runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes on February 1 at Santa Anita. The horse demonstrated resilience in that effort despite breaking through the starting gate before the race and requiring reloading, suggesting mental toughness that could serve him well. Two starts back, Seal Team bobbled at the start and finished third in the Grade 2 San Gabriel at Del Mar last December. His last two races have paired up similar Equibase Speed Figures (117 & 116), which indicates a forward move. He owns the fastest late-pace speed figure in the field (121.5) and has hit the board in four of his five career turf starts at Santa Anita. There is a lot to like with Juan Hernandez in the irons for the first time. Win Contender and my Top Choice.


2. Atitlan (10/1) John Shirreffs / Antonio Fresu


Atitlan arrives at the Shoemaker Mile in peak form after achieving consecutive graded stakes victories at Santa Anita. His recent wins include the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1½ miles and the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1¼ miles. In his most recent race, Atitlan came from fourth place in a field of six to win by a head over Packs a Wahlop on May 3, showcasing his tactical speed and finishing ability. He’s paired up back-to-back 114 Equibase Speed Figures, but returning to race after only 23 days suggests a bounce is very likely. This 4-year-old son of The Factor faces a significant challenge in transitioning from longer distances, where he has excelled, to the one-mile distance of the Shoemaker Mile. His last attempt at one mile came in the Grade 2 Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds on December 26, where he finished third, 1½ lengths behind the winner. Regular rider Hector Berrios, who has been aboard for all four of Atitlan’s victories, has decided to ride Mi Hermano Ramon, a major red flag. Toss.


3. Seminole Chief (8/1) Jack Sisterson /Irad Ortiz Jr.


Seminole Chief will travel from Gulfstream Park, where he won his last two races, including a one-mile listed stakes. He earned a career-best 110 Equibase Speed Figure on March 18, a 7-point new top. I think he bounces off that effort and will struggle to hit the board. The cross-country shipper arrives with momentum from his success in Florida but faces the challenge of making a class jump to compete against some of California's top turf performers. His class and speed figures are significantly lower compared to the other horses in this field. Toss.


4. King of Gosford (7/2) Phil D'Amato / Flavien Prat


King of Gosford enters the Shoemaker Mile having displayed consistent excellence since October 2024, posting a record of two wins and two close second-place finishes in the California stakes competition. His most recent effort saw him unable to catch Cabo Spirit as the 4/5 favorite in the Grade 3 American Stakes at Santa Anita. Still, the performance suggests he is eligible for improvement in his second start of 2025. He earned a career-best 110 Equibase Speed Figure. King of Gosford loves the Santa Anita turf course with four wins, one Place, and one Show in six lifetime starts. The retention of ace jockey Flavien Prat, one of the premier turf riders in North America, indicates the connections' confidence in the horse's chances. Win Contender.


5. Formidable Man (3/1) Michael McCarthy / Umberto Rispoli


Formidable Man is one of the most accomplished horses in the field, having accumulated multiple stakes victories in California since last summer. His credentials include a significant half-length victory in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes on March 1 at Santa Anita, where he defeated three horses he will meet again in the Shoemaker Mile. The horse's form shows some inconsistency when shipping outside California, as evidenced by his last-place finish of 12 in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes in January when he traveled to Florida. However, his return to familiar surroundings at Santa Anita should work in his favor, and trainer Michael McCarthy's decision to keep him in California for this spot suggests confidence in the home-field advantage. This 4-year-old colt by City of Light is 2-for-4 at Santa Anita and 3-for-5 at this distance, with a second-place finish in each previous data point. The One to Beat.


6. Zio Jo (30/1) Doug O'Neill / Kyle Frey


Zio Jo dominated the allowance competition with two victories last fall in California. When stepping up to stakes company, Zio Joe has failed to win a race. His most notable performance came in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile, where he nearly upset Formidable Man, finishing second by just half a length at odds of 23/1. His fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 American Stakes came after early traffic trouble, where he had to check. Handicappers will note that he performed well despite this troubled trip. This 5-year-old gelded son of Nyquist has been the post-time favorite in only two of his 19 starts. Use Underneath.


7. Mi Hermano Ramon (5/1) Mark Glatt / Hector Berrios


Mi Hermano Ramon brings impressive consistency in the Shoemaker Mile, never finishing worse than fifth in 12 starts, with four victories. The 5-year-old gelding recently won the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar and finished strong in second place to Johannes in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes. Although his speed figures have declined from a peak of 122 in the Seabiscuit, he has faced traffic issues that have prevented a Grade 1 victory. His fourth-place finish in the Pegasus World Cup Turf showcased his national competitiveness, and a break from racing could benefit him. Trainer Mark Glatt has a win rate of 23% and a 60% in-the-money finish rate after a layoff of two to six months. Meanwhile, jockey Hector Berrios boasts an impressive 24% win rate and a 52% placement rate in turf routes over the past five years. Win Contender.


8. Cabo Spirit (20/1) George Papaprodromou / Frankie Dettori


Cabo Spirit secured a spot in the Shoemaker Mile field by winning the Grade 3 American Stakes, defeating competitors like King of Gosford and Zio Joe. He has the most starts (33), is tied for wins (6), and has the second-highest earnings ($1,134,430) in the field. Mike Smith, who rode Cabo Spirit in his last two races, will now ride Goliad, making his first start since last November. Cabo Spirit's forward-running style indicates he performs best near the early pace, having been in the lead at the first call in five of his last seven races. Expect him to be on or near the lead with a clean break. He's often been a long shot, showing odds of 10/1 or higher in 11 of his last 12 starts, including 7 times at 20/1 or higher, and may need this race after a lengthy layoff. Toss.


9. Goliad (4/1) Richard Mandella / Mike Smith


The 8-year-old gelding Goliad enters the 2025 Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita as one of the most intriguing contenders, combining veteran experience with a proven affinity for turf miles. Owned by Ramona and Perry Bass, this War Front offspring has accumulated over $1.7 million in earnings across 21 starts, which includes three wins and one Place in 11 career turf starts at The Great Race Place. Last year's 11th-place finish in the Shoemaker Mile and a recent Breeders' Cup disappointment indicate vulnerability against elite competition. Goliad will likely employ his signature gate-to-wire tactics. With limited early speed (Cabo Spirit & Seminole Chief) in this field, he could duplicate his Kentucky Downs performances if there are moderate fractions. Following a six-month hiatus, Richard Mandella enters the Shoemaker Mile, acknowledging the challenge: "I wish I had an easier race". The Hall of Famer trained one of my horses (Tizmagician), and he's not one to mince words. Toss.


Selections:


#1 Seal Team (6/1) Win & Place


#7 Mi Hermano Ramon (5/1) Place & Show


$1 Trifecta Box (#1, #5, #6, #7)


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