Where Will Shared Belief Run Next? Not Dubai, Maybe Met Mile, Maybe Sooner

by LAURA PUGH

You have to love the madness of Social Media. A mere day after Shared Belief’s incredibly easy Santa Anita Handicap score, it was reported that Jerry Hollendorfer had confirmed the gelding’s next major target would be the Metropolitan Mile, at Belmont Park.

This confirmation is what fans have been itching to hear for months, as Shared Beliefs has never left the comfy confines of his home state, California. It also would represent a chance to redeem himself against a field of elite competitors that could include last year’s winner Palace Malice, Gulfstream Park Handicap victor Honor Code, and 2014 Cigar Mile runaway winner Private Zone, among others. The last time he saw a field a field with this much talent and depth he finished fourth, after being interfered with at the start of the race.

Soon after the conformation of the Met Mile, the Daily Racing Form, the Blood Horse and several other well-known sites and publications reported that Jerry Hollendorfer had confirmed the Oaklawn Handicap was to be Shared Beliefs prep for the Met Mile. This would mean two back to back out of state trips, which represent a complete 180 of the conservative “no out of state” races campaign, the connections had tentatively planned.

Later that night, a Facebook account named for Shared Belief posted this.

Since then, based on my research, it would seem that the Daily Racing Form has removed the article that had named the Oaklawn Handicap as the prep race for Shared Belief, while Blood Horse has an article up that still names the race as the most likely prep. It is called Shared Belief Looks Headed to Oaklawn, and a direct quote from the piece says “The trainer dismissed any questions of whether the son of Candy Ride  would venture overseas to tangle with California Chrome again in the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan March 28. Instead, he's considering the 1 1/8-mile test at Oaklawn Park, which would still be the gelding's first start outside of California.”

In the days following, the Facebook Page named for Shared Belief came under heavy fire. Fans questioning the validity of the page, therefore questioning the validity of the information put forth by the creator of the page.  Here was their response:

So, after their accusatory and provocative, initial post claiming that Jerry Hollendorfer accused the Daily Racing Form of printing false information, they admit their lack of contact with the connections or the horse.

After this confusing turn of events, I expect a story to be printed that would contain updated information, as to the future plans of Shared Belief. Was he to have a prep before the Met Mile or wasn’t he? If he was, would that race be the Oaklawn Handicap? After hours of searching, I came up empty handed. I couldn’t believe that after all the back and forth and confusion that not one site or publication had any updates. That is when I decided to get the answer to my question, and everyone else’s, right from the horse’s mouth….well actually the person closest to the horse…..Jerry Hollendorfer.

After a brief phone call with the man at the head of Shared Belief’s care and race schedule, it was found that there are no firm plans for the son of Candy Ride. The Oaklawn Park is still on the table, as are few other races, though it is also possible he may just train to the Met Mile. So, at the end of the day, literally, the Shared Belief is still considering all their options. The only thing that is confirmed is that Shared Belief’s next major goal is the Met Mile.