Mondialiste, Ironicus head deep renewal of Shadwell Turf Mile

Tepin may be the star of Saturday's card at Keeneland in the First Lady (G1), but the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) is surely the race of the day despite her absence.

Mondialiste, second to Tepin in last fall's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) over this course after scoring in the Woodbine Mile (G1), could be a slight favorite following a recent triumph in the Arlington Million (G1), but Ironicus also figures to be well-backed.

Widely considered one of the country's top turf milers last season before an injury derailed his Breeders' Cup prospects, Ironicus has run just twice this year. After a season-opening score in the Fort Marcy (G3), the Shug McGaughey trainee was a credible second to Flintshire in the 1 1/4-mile Manhattan (G1) on June 11 after lacking a clear run in upper stretch.

Those are just two of the legitimate contenders among a super field of 11. So tough is it that defending titlist Grand Arch, who owns a solid 7-3-3-1 local mark, is likely to go off at double-digit odds.

Likely to attract more play are Tourist, who belated earned his first top-level win in the Fourstardave H. (G1) at Saratoga last out after missing by a neck in last year's Shadwell Turf Mile and placing in several other Grade 1 events. Ring Weekend, a rough-trip sixth in the Fourstardave, rebounded to take the Bernard Baruch H. (G2) and is seemingly in the form of his life.

What a View took Southern California by storm earlier in the year winning four straight, including the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) and Thunder Road (G3) at Santa Anita. However, the layoff since April 9 might work against him.

The filly Miss Temple City, who turned in a mild surprise last spring beating the boys in the Maker's 46 Mile (G1), is here not wanting to take on Tepin in the First Lady. Although a horse for the course, this field looks significantly deeper than the one she defeated in April.

Longer shots with some solid recent form are Wise Dan (G2) winner Pleuven; Tower of Texas, second to Tepin in the Woodbine Mile last out; and Kasaqui, a close second in both the Wise Dan and Arlington Million.

(Mondialiste photo: Four Footed Fotos)