Heart to Heart hopes third time's the charm in Shoemaker Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – For the third consecutive year, Heart to Heart has been flown to California for Monday’s Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Heart to Heart was fourth in 2016 and third last year. This year might be different, and one with a positive result for owner Terry Hamilton and trainer Brian Lynch.

Heart to Heart will start favored on the strength of consecutive wins in Grade 1 races – the Gulfstream Park Turf at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 10 and the Maker’s 46 Mile on April 13 at Keeneland. A 7-year-old, Heart to Heart has won 13 stakes in his 35-race career. Twice, he has won three consecutive stakes, but never three at the highest level.

“Hopefully, he can fire one of his big races,” Lynch said.

Heart to Heart will be easy to find in the $400,000 Shoemaker. He typically runs on the lead, which has worked to his advantage in his last two starts. In the last two runnings of the Shoemaker, however, Heart to Heart was caught after leading or disputing the pace.

Heart to Heart was fourth in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds on turf at Santa Anita in 2014 and 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar last November. Heart to Heart is winless in five starts in California, losses that give rival owners and trainers the belief that he may be vulnerable in an important race Monday.

The winner of the Shoemaker Mile receives a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

The Shoemaker drew a strong field, including Blackjackcat, who was third in the BC Mile last November; Bowies Hero, who won the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile in March; and Hunt, who won the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap last November at Del Mar.

Other starters are Colonist, runner-up in the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf last month, and Om and Next Shares, who were first and third in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes in February and fourth and seventh in the Maker’s 46 Mile.

KEY CONTENDERS

Heart to Heart, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 105-102-78

◗ Heart to Heart’s 2018 campaign had a disastrous beginning. He reared at the start of the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes on Jan. 13 and faded to seventh as a heavy favorite. He has not lost since.

◗ Heart to Heart is most effective from the front.

“I don’t think we’ll try to change his tactics too much,” Lynch said.

◗ Lynch has trained Heart to Heart at Belmont Park this month. Heart to Heart worked a half-mile in a quick 46.80 seconds on turf May 6.

“He seems like he’s in good order,” Lynch said. “His last few works have been very sharp.”

Bowies Hero, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 103-98-101

◗ Bowies Hero has not raced since winning the Kilroe Mile, his first win in a Grade 1 and his fifth stakes win. Bowies Hero won the Mathis Brothers Mile on Dec. 26 and was beaten a half-length by Om in the Thunder Road.

◗ Through the season, trainer Phil D’Amato has noticed continued improvement from the 4-year-old colt.

“He’s put on weight,” D’Amato said. “He’s kind of blossomed.

“I expect him to run his race. The horse looks like he’s getting better every day. He’s matured and getting stronger and smarter. I love the way he’s progressing.”

Hunt, by Dark Angel
Last 3 Beyers: 99-80-84

◗ Hunt had mixed results last November. He was 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 and won the Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf Nov. 26.

“Hopefully, he can start off the year the right way,” D’Amato said. “He looks as good as he can be, and I expect him to fire.”

Next Shares, by Archarcharch
Last 3 Beyers: 97-102-98

◗ Next Shares is winless in six stakes in his career, but his second by a half-length in the Kilroe Mile commands attention. Next Shares was beaten 4 1/4 lengths by Heart to Heart at Keeneland. Trainer Richard Baltas is hopeful a runner such as Om or Blackjackcat will put pressure on Heart to Heart.

“They left him alone, and it was over with,” he said of the Keeneland race. “That could happen here. If it does, he’ll win again.”

◗ Next Shares typically runs from off the pace.

“He needs some speed to run at,” Baltas said. “It would help.”

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