Johannes will step into Grade 1 company for Shoemaker Mile

A sharp win by Johannes in his 2024 debut in Thursday’s Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita will lead to the 4-year-old colt’s Grade 1 debut in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile on May 27.

Johannes chased a fast pace in the $102,500 American Stakes, closing from third in a field of 10 to win his first start in 11 months. Johannes was timed in a quick 1:32.08.

On Friday morning, trainer Tim Yakteen said the colt emerged from the race in ideal condition.

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“Johannes is very good, and so is his training,” Yakteen said. “I was expecting a good race from him, and he ran a very, very good race for us. If somebody would have said we would run in 32 [1:32], I would have said, ‘I don’t think so.’ ”

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Johannes stalked a fast pace of 21.85 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.98 for a half-mile set by the stakes winner Air Force Red. Rispoli moved Johannes three wide on the turn, before taking the lead with a furlong remaining.

“Things set up well for us,” Yakteen said. “The race unfolded the way it looked on form. It had a legitimate pace. I don’t think any of us envisioned the pace being that strong.

“He was in a good position and then had a little bit for the stretch.”

The Shoemaker Mile is the leading turf race of the spring portion of the marathon Santa Anita meeting. A win in the Shoemaker Mile by Johannes would lead Yakteen and Joe and Debbie McCloskey, who bred and own Johannes, to have greater goals in the second half of 2024, such as the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

“We have dreams and we’re taking it one step at a time,” Yakteen said. “He’s come back where he left off last year. We’re excited to see his first effort.”

A winner of 4 of 8 starts, Johannes won his third stakes in the American. In early 2023, Johannes won consecutive turf stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita – the Baffle for sprinters on the hillside course, and the Pasadena at a mile.

Last May, Johannes finished fifth by two lengths in the American Turf Stakes for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs in what turned out to be his final start of 2023.

◗ Nadette won her first stakes in the United States in Thursday’s Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf. On Friday, trainer Neil Drysdale said the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf May 27 is “a possibility” for Nadette.

Ridden by Hector Berrios for the Team Valor International partnership, Nadette closed from last of 10 with an inside trip to win for the first time since May 2022 when the mare was based in France.

“She was kind of due,” Drysdale said. “She’s had some difficult trips.”

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