SHOEMAKER AND TRIPLE BEND LEAD AT HOLLYWOOD
A pair of Grade 1 races on Saturday kicks off the holiday festivities at Hollywood Park over the long weekend. The $300,000 Shoemaker Mile S. (G1) is the co-feature on Saturday, and a strong cast has been assembled to contest the mile grass event. Defending champ Victor’s Cry didn’t fire in Dubai this spring but has trained well since returning and could be the one for Eoin Harty. The son of Street Cry seemingly runs big when a big number on the board, and he should have some value in this one.
Courageous Cat will ship in from New York following an easy win in the Poker S. (G3) for Bill Mott. The blue-blooded son of Storm Cat was 2nd in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and would be no surprise in his California reappearance. Multiple Grade 2 speedster Liberian Freighter, the high-quality Caracortado, Blue Chagall, a winner of three of his last four, and Chilean Group 1 winning import Ashtar, add to the depth of the field.
The $250,000 Triple Bend H. (G1) is also on Saturday, and it is shaping up to be one of the toughest sprint races of the year out west. Grade 1 hero Smiling Tiger endured a tough trip on Derby Day in the Churchill Downs S. (G2) but could easily rebound in this spot for Jeff Bonde. The superb four-year-old should be in range throughout this event.
Other ultra-talented runners likely for this include grade 1 victors Amazombie and M One Rifle, sophomore standout Bench Points, Los Angeles S. (G3) upsetter Camp Victory and Grade 1-placed Supreme Summit.
The $150,000 Royal Heroine Mile S. (G2) will be run on Monday.