Talco springs 13-1 upset in Shoemaker Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. - Talco proved to be the spoiler in an expected showdown between Midnight Storm and Bal a Bali in Saturday’s $400,000 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita, scoring a 13-1 upset in the turf race.

The win puts Talco well on his way to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 31. The Shoemaker Mile was part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, providing the winner with a fees-paid berth for the BC Mile.

Talco won the most prestigious race of his career in the Shoemaker Mile.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Talco ($28.20) caught even-money favorite Midnight Storm in the final furlong and won by a half-length in 1:35. Midnight Storm, the winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last August, finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Seek Again, who was followed by pacesetter Winning Prize and Bal a Bali.

The winner was the beneficiary of an ideal trip, with Bejarano’s mount closing from last with an uninterrupted rally in the final half-mile.

“I thought it would be like that,” Bejarano said of his trip. “I knew [Midnight Storm] was the horse to beat.”

Talco, who races for Kosta and Pete Hronis and trainer John Sadler, raced on the rail on the turn. Bejarano guided Talco three wide, outside of Winning Prize and Midnight Storm, in early stretch to take the lead late.

“I hit him a couple of times,” Bejarano said. Midnight Storm “had the lead and I wanted to make sure” I got there.

The victory was by far the richest result for the 4-year-old Talco, who has won 5 of 15 starts and earned $491,123. A French-bred by Pivotal, Talco won the minor Thunder Road Stakes at a mile on turf here on April 4 for his first career stakes win, and was second to Bal a Bal in the Grade 3 American Stakes on May 9.

“He’s been doing better and better every day,” Kosta Hronis said. “He’s more relaxed and confident.”

The win was not without a touch of controversy. After the race, jockey Martin Garcia, who rode Winning Prize, and members of trainer Phil D’Amato staff, argued over the outcome. Midnight Storm, trained by D’Amato, was expected to set the pace, but instead tracked Winning Prize to early stretch.

The argument occurred on the walk between the racetrack and the jockeys’ room and drew the attention of track security.