Ohio seeks Grade 1 repeat in deep renewal of Shoemaker Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ohio fought off accomplished rivals early and late to win his Grade 1 debut in the $400,351 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita on March 30. The result confirmed his status as one of California’s top milers just in time for a tougher assignment in Monday’s Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on the same turf course.

This time, the purse is $500,000 and the long-term ramifications are greater: The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile here Nov. 2.

Ohio will need to be as impressive in the Shoemaker as he was in the Kilroe. The competition on Monday is stout, including Catapult, second by the slimmest of noses in the Kilroe Mile; Delta Prince, the winner of the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland on April 12; and Sharp Samurai, who won the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile here last October.

The race drew a field of nine, eight of which are stakes winners. Le Ken was a Group 1 winner in Argentina in 2016, while Bowies Hero won the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile in 2018. River Boyne and Bolo are multiple winners of Grade 2 stakes.

Desert Stone has yet to win a stakes, but was third in the Kilroe Mile, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. He rates as a threat from off the pace.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ohio, by Elusive Quality

Last 3 Beyers: 99-96-92

◗ An 8-year-old owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bruce Treitman, Ohio is the senior member of the field and quite a success story in the last year, winning half of his six starts since being claimed for $50,000 last June.

“This is his toughest test to date in field size and quality and caliber of horses,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “We want him to give a good account of himself and go from there.”

◗ In the Kilroe Mile, Ohio was never farther than 1 1/2 lengths off the pace and led by a length in the stretch before holding on for the win.

McCarthy envisions Ohio having a similar trip under jockey Ruben Fuentes.

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“If he breaks well, he’ll place himself nicely,” McCarthy said.

Delta Prince, by Street Cry

Last 3 Beyers: 101-103-86

◗ Trained by James Jerkens in New York, Delta Prince won his second stakes, and first Grade 1, in the Maker’s 46 Mile, closing from last in a field of seven to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The Maker’s 46 Mile was run on a good course and there is a chance for similar conditions on Monday, depending on the strength of an expected rainstorm Sunday.

◗ Delta Prince has won 5 of 8 starts at a mile. In the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at 1 3/16 miles at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26, he led at the furlong pole, but faded to finish third, 2 3/4 lengths behind race winner Bricks and Mortar.

Catapult, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 99-99-100

◗ Second in the BC Mile at Churchill Downs last November, Catapult ran too well to lose in the Kilroe Mile at 4-5. The placing judges needed eight minutes to determine whether there was any margin between Ohio and Catapult.

Catapult closed from fifth in a field of six with a rally between horses to just miss.

“He ran great,” trainer John Sadler said. “I was happy with the race. He didn’t have a great trip. It was a little trafficky.”

◗ Sadler envisions Catapult stalking runners such as Ohio and Sharp Samurai on Monday. A 6-year-old, Catapult is approaching the race in peak form.

“I think he’s as good as any of them,” Sadler said.

Sharp Samurai, by First Samurai

Last 3 Beyers: 104-100-101

◗ Sharp Samurai has won five turf stakes in the last two years. He was pre-entered in the BC Mile last fall, but did not start because of an illness. In the buildup to Monday’s race, Sharp Samurai has worked quickly at times for trainer Mark Glatt.

“I’m very confident,” Glatt said. “In a perfect world, he’d have his first start of a layoff with a little easier group of horses.

“He runs good fresh. I like the pace scenario. I don’t see a lot of early speed. I think he’ll be forwardly placed. That’s my hope.”