Whisper Not shows new dimension, will step up in Shoemaker Mile
Racing on the outside of rivals, Whisper Not closed from fourth to win his first stakes in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on turf at Golden Gate Fields on April 24.
That was a change from results earlier this year when Whisper Not led or disputed the pace, often setting a quick tempo.
The more patient and successful result at Golden Gate Fields has left trainer Richard Baltas hopeful that Whisper Not can handle a tougher cast of runners in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on turf at Santa Anita on May 31.
“That was a big thumbs up,” Baltas said of the San Fran Mile.
“It’s been all about getting him to relax. When he went to Golden Gate, he sat third or fourth. He wasn’t tucked in and rated really well.”
The $300,000 Shoemaker Mile has long-term ramifications. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 6.
The Shoemaker Mile is expected to have a short field, led by 2020 winner Raging Bull and the multiple stakes winner Smooth Like Strait. Whisper Not, a winner of 4 of 10 starts, was third to Smooth Like Strait in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds on turf at Santa Anita last December.
Geovanni Franco rode Whisper Not in the San Fran Mile and will have the mount in the Shoemaker Mile, one of three Grade 1 races worth $300,000 at Santa Anita on May 31. The program includes the Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf and the Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles.