Raging Bull Storms Home to Victory in Shoemaker Mile

Peter Brant's Raging Bull spent the last 17 months searching for a way back to the winner's circle. Looking to change his fortunes in 2020, the 5-year-old son of Dark Angel wasted no time May 25 and ran down his competition to win the $302,500 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. 

One of the first grade 1 races on the calendar since the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions in California, the Shoemaker drew an impressive field of 10 older horses that were more than ready for a return to action. A wobbly start at the break sent Preakness Stakes (G1) winner War of Will and jockey Tyler Gaffalione veering to the inside from post 5. The action prompted several runners to make contact including Voodoo Song, who recovered quickly and was hustled to the lead on the rail by Mike Smith. 

Neptune's Storm raced just off the rail in the two-path and pressed Voodoo Song through a :44.75 half mile. Blitzkrieg and War of Will dueled briefly just behind the front runners in third and fourth but were soon matched by River Boyne on the outside who was in fourth by a head as six furlongs went in 1:08.56. 

War of Will, who had hugged the rail along the backstretch, was angled out into the two path exiting the second turn and briefly stuck his head in front. But the lead was short lived as Raging Bull, who had saved ground off the pace in eighth through much of the race, drifted out four wide on the turn, and rallied to take command. 

Ahead by a length at the top of the stretch, jockey Joel Rosario urged Raging Bull forward all the while guiding him toward the inside. Raging Bull responded in kind and kicked away. With no traffic to slow his momentum, he crossed the wire 2 1/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:32.73. 

"He broke well and it looked like there was a good pace, he was very controlled. He just came with his run like he does all the time," said Rosario. "He put in a nice run. It is beautiful. It's nice to be back here and be back in action."

Next Shares and John Velazquez, who had been squeezed in at the start, made a tremendous run from dead last in the field. The pair moved from ninth to second with their own four-wide move off the turn to earn place honors.

"The plan was to be mid-pack with this horse, but we got wiped out at the start, so we were way back," said Velazquez. "He still ran a great race."

A photo finish between favored Without Parole and River Boyne for third showed Without Parole emerging ahead of his competition by a neck.  

Following a stewards inquiry, War of Will was disqualified from fifth to sixth for interference at the start. In an unanimous decision, War of Will was found to have ducked in at the break, which was believed to have caused True Valour a chance at a better placing. 

Neptune's Storm, Blitzkrieg, Voodoo Song, and March to the Arch completed the order of finish. 

Juan Hernandez, assistant to winning trainer Chad Brown, said the team couldn't have been prouder of Raging Bull's effort. The added bonus to Monday's victory for the Brown stable is that the Shoemaker Mile is a "Win and You're In" qualifying race for the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T). 

"He ran a super race and he always runs good," said Hernandez. "He had trained well here and he was acting good. He's just a very special horse."

Raging Bull's most impressive season to date came at 3, when he took the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G3T), Saranac Stakes (G2T), and Hollywood Derby (G1T). He was winless in five starts at 4, but hit the board three times in the Manhattan Stakes (G1T), Fourstardave Handicap (G1T), and Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T).

Bred in France by Dayton Investments Limited out of the Mr. Greeley mare Rosa Bonheur, Raging Bull was purchased for US$100,935 by E. Colombo Agency from The Castlebridge Consignment at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. He holds a 6-2-2 record from 13 starts and Monday's victory bumped him to millionaire status with $1,100,750 in earnings. 

Video: Shoemaker Mile S. (G1T)