Handicapper's Corner: Shoemaker Mile

Tourist Lands Nice Spot in Shoemaker Mile

Reinier Macatangay, Lady and The Track

Trainer Bill Mott rarely starts horses at Santa Anita Park. According to TimeformUS, he only entered two runners at the Arcadia racetrack over the past year, and won once.

On Saturday, he will attempt to add to the total with Tourist in the $400,000 Shoemaker Mile (GI). Turf expert Jose Lezcano will pilot the 5-year-old horse who seeks his first win of the year. 

 

 

Admittedly, his first two 2016 starts were nothing special, but he faced top horses in those races.

For example, the Maker’s 46 Mile (GI) at Keeneland contained Miss Temple City, Heart to Heart (who competes in this race as well), Reload, Conquest Typhoon, Itsaknockout and Shining Copper. Tourist finished third.

After Keeneland, Tourist traveled to Churchill Downs for the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (GI), where he ran against Divisidero, World Approval, Slumber and Big Blue Kitten. A mild move helped Tourist to fourth.

Tourist “only” ran third and fourth in those races, but he seems probable to settle in mid-pack or even a little closer, and his position will help if the two expected leaders, Heart to Heart and Midnight Storm, duel and (perhaps) fade.

Should Tourist fail in his trip to Arcadia, the race opens up a bit. 

 

Heart to Heart ran a great race when runner-up to Miss Temple City in the Maker’s 46 Mile, as he had to deal with former rabbit Shining Copper, who set a pace figure record of epic proportions in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI). The problem is, he must deal with Midnight Storm on the outside, who is capable of burning Heart to Heart up front.

On the TimeformUS scale, Midnight Storm ran an early pace figure of 159 when showing the way in the Turf Classic, and it is understandable he faded back to seventh place, losing by six lengths. He can rebound here.

The other challengers are slightly less intriguing, but there is a small chance for an upset.

Twentytwentyvision always fires a solid race. In fact, in ten career starts, he never finished out of the money!

Home Run Kitten sometimes turns in an “okay” effort, and he did win the American Stakes (GIII) at Santa Anita in his last start. It must be pointed out the race was taken off the turf.

Rounding out the field, Cape Wolfe makes only his second two-turn start in this country, and he might be an interesting runner to place underneath in exotics.

If a horse wins this race from the middle or behind, it is probable Tourist will be the one to kick on and show his class. Heart to Heart and Midnight Storm do not rate well and seem too quick to not spar with each other. The scenario will soften them up just enough for Tourist to make another grinding rally and slowly win the race.

In conclusion, Tourist’s vacation to Santa Anita Park will be a memorable one.

Handigambling:

This time, no clever back-wheels or front-wheels are in play.

A $100 Win bet on Tourist is sufficient.