Delta Prince shipping cross country for Shoemaker Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Delta Prince, an outstanding New York-based turf miler, and Sharp Samurai, a high-class California comebacker, will help make the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on May 27 the strongest turf stakes this year in California.

It is fitting, since the Shoemaker is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge event for the BC Mile.

Delta Prince and Sharp Samurai will tackle Catapult, Ohio, Blitzkrieg, and possibly Bolo and River Boyne in the $500,000 Shoemaker.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens confirmed that Delta Prince, winner of the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland, will ship from Belmont Park on Thursday and be ridden by Joel Rosario. Delta Prince, who is expected to vie for favoritism, will be the first Santa Anita runner owned by Stronach Stables since the Jerkens-trained Shaman Ghost won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March 2017.

Sharp Samurai, a multiple graded winner working well for his first start since October, will be ridden by someone other than Gary Stevens for the first time in nearly two years. The jockey assignment is pending, according to trainer Mark Glatt.