Monday’s $300,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1), a 1-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up at Santa Anita Park serves as a Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) “Win and You’re In” qualifier and complements the Memorial Day card alongside the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1) and $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G2).
The race, originally the Premiere Handicap at Hollywood Park (moved to Santa Anita after Hollywood’s closure in 2013), was renamed in 1990 to honor Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker. It has featured high-class turf milers with several repeat winners and Breeders’ Cup connections. Standouts include French-bred Silic (back-to-back wins in 1999-2000), Obviously (2013-2014 for Phil D’Amato), The Tin Man (2007), Aragorn (2006), and Smooth Like Strait (2021), who placed in the BC Mile.
Recent winners include King of Gosford (2025), Johannes (2024), Exaulted (2023), Hunt (2018), and Midnight Storm (2016). D’Amato has five winners in the last 12 years.
Though nine entered, a competitive eight-horse field will run on Monday, headlined by Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) runner-up Formidable Man (7-5). The 5-year-old City of Light horse, trained by Michael McCarthy, is 8-for-16 lifetime with over $1.5 million in career earnings.
He won the Del Mar Mile (G1) and Eddie Read Stakes (G2), then ran a huge second at 18-1 in the Breeders’ Cup behind Notable Speech. He makes his 2026 debut but has strong enough turf mile form and pairs with top jockey Flavien Prat. A versatile mid-pack or stalking type who excels at Santa Anita/Del Mar, he is the one to beat if he fires fresh.
Defending champ King of Gosford (10-1) took last year’s renewal with a front-running effort but is winless in two starts since. The 5-year-old Zoustar gelding loves Santa Anita and except for his last two, has maintained consistent and peak form. Expect this one in his preferred spot near the lead again as a confirmed front-runner/stalker and consider him dangerous for the repeat. Kazushi Kimura returns to ride.
Almendares (5-1), also from the D’Amato barn, is coming off a neck victory in the American Stakes (G3) over stablemate Genius Jimmy. This 6-year-old Havana Grey gelding is a late bloomer with multiple graded placings. He has tactical speed and a strong closing kick and could improve further with the right trip under jockey Antonio Fresu.
Genius Jimmy (20-1), who is trained by Michael McCarthy and will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, was the runner-up in the American Stakes and is a generally a consistent runner. The Jimmy Creed gelding has good early speed and places regularly at this level, but in here probably needs others to falter to win.
Seal Team (12-1), who is by leading sire War Front, has a handful of career stakes placings, including a recent third in the American Stakes, but has not won a race since November of 2023. Trainer Richard Mandella should rarely be second-guessed, and top jockey Joel Rosario in the saddle is a plus, but this off-the-pace type faces a tough spot here.
Mi Hermano Ramon (20-1) was the runner-up to King of Gosford last year but has faltered in three starts since. The Creative Cause gelding owns some back class but needs a big bounce for trainer Mark Glatt and jockey Emisael Jaramillo to be a factor.
Call Me Cory (6-1) is a recent allowance winner at Santa Anita. The Uncle Mo colt has some upside and the Mike Smith factor, but this is a significant class jump for trainer Ryan Hanson.
Twirling Point (30-1) was most recently sixth in the American Stakes and while the Twirling Candy gelding has some ability, he looks up against it in this spot. Blaine Wright trains and Ricardo Gonzalez rides.
Trainer Dan Blacker posted on X that El Potente developed a fever on Friday and will be scratched.
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