Shadwell Turf Mile’s talent pool runs deep
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mostly out of respect for his dramatic triumph in the Arlington Million, The Pizza Man could go off as a slight favorite Saturday in the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.
But you sure can’t blame horseplayers for taking long looks elsewhere.
Not only is The Pizza Man turning back from the 1 1/4-mile Million to sharpen up for the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Cup Turf four weeks later, but more notably, the depth of the opposition in the Grade 1 Shadwell is extraordinary.
A nearly full gate of 13 3-year-olds and up will include such accomplished American runners as Bobby’s Kitten, Grand Arch, and Jack Milton, as well as a trio of European shippers with sneaky-good form. This 30th running of the Shadwell is complicated.
“We picked a tough spot, didn’t we?” said Ken Ramsey, whose homebred Bobby’s Kitten will be making his second start since winning the BC Turf Sprint last fall. “Obviously, our horse has the class to win, but we need to have the right kind of trip.”
As for The Pizza Man, “the whole objective is to get a race over this course and have targets to run at and hopefully get the job done,” said Richard Papiese, whose Midwest Thoroughbreds bred and owns the 6-year-old gelding, who already is in the Breeders’ Cup via the Arlington Million, a Win and You’re In event.
The Shadwell also is a Win and You’re In toward the BC Mile. It is the last of five straight graded races, and the ninth of 10 races overall, on a blockbuster card that starts at 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Post time is 5:45 for the Shadwell, which will be featured on a one-hour NBC broadcast (5-6). The preceding stakes are the Woodford (race 5), Thoroughbred Club of America (race 6), First Lady (race 7), and Breeders’ Futurity (race 8).
This is the first time since 2010 that the Shadwell field will not include Wise Dan, the two-time Horse of the Year who was recently retired because of a tendon injury. Wise Dan won the 2012 and 2014 runnings but was upset in 2013 by Silver Max when the Shadwell was moved off the turf and onto the Polytrack surface then in place, resulting in his only defeat in a 15-race span.
As a final tribute to a sensational career in which he won 23 of 31 races and more than $7.5 million, Wise Dan will be paraded here before and after the third race (post, 2:12).
The weather outlook for Saturday is a wet one, with the forecast calling for an 80 percent chance of rain and a high of 57.
Shadwell Turf Mile, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
The Pizza Man (Last 3 Beyers: 103-92-91)
◗ While this might not be his ideal distance, he did set the record for a mile on turf at Arlington, and “he can go anywhere from a mile to forever,” said Papiese.
Grand Arch (Last 3 Beyers: 102-98-94)
◗ Perennially underrated by fans, his top efforts include a second to Wise Dan here last fall at 19-1 and an 8-1 score in the Grade 2 Fourstardave at Saratoga in his most recent start.
King Kreesa (Last 3 Beyers: 91-100-105)
◗ New York-bred standout is a winner in graded company and figures to be a forward factor as usual when trying to add to his $1.1 million career bankroll.
Bobby’s Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 80-98-97)
◗ Clearly, the two turns are the main challenge for a 4-year-old colt who turned in one of the more amazing performances in Breeders’ Cup history with his rally in the Turf Sprint last fall.
Jack Milton (Last 3 Beyers: 88-97-100)
◗ His recent form isn’t so great, but then you remember how impressive he was in winning the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile here in the spring for Todd Pletcher.
Tourist (Last 3 Beyers: 99-90-93)
Recent comeback victory at Kentucky Downs could not have been done much easier; has been long held in very high regard by his connections, and now would be an opportune time to shine.
Seek Again (Last 3 Beyers: 101-98-97)
Juddmonte Farms homebred tends to draw more than his fair share of wagering action while usually coming back with one excuse or another; gets the No. 13 hole here.
Kelinni (First North American start)
◗ One of the three Euro shippers, along with War Envoy and Dutch Connection, this 7-year-old gelding makes his 50th career start while getting first-time Lasix.