Formidable Man Seeks More G1 Success in Shoemaker Mile

Fresh off a victory in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) with Journalism, trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli will team up again May 26 for another shot at grade 1 glory, aiming to transfer their luck to the grass as Formidable Man faces eight rivals in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. A 4-year-old son of City of Light owned by Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Warren Jr., Formidable Man has won each of his last five starts contested in the state of California. The first four of those victories came in 3-year-old restricted races, including wins in the Del Mar Derby (G2T) and Hollywood Derby (G1T). However, Formidable Man proved to still be a formidable opponent against older horses when taking the March 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T) by a half-length over Zio Jo and Cabo Spirit. A win Monday would help solidify his place as the best of the West over distances ranging from one mile to 1 1/8 miles. At the mile distance, he holds a solid 3-1-0 record from five starts. Breaking from post 5, Formidable Man will carry the highest weight at 126 pounds, giving his competitors between 2 and 4 pounds. Zio Jo and Cabo Spirit each exited the Kilroe to run April 20 at Santa Anita in the American Stakes (G3T). Beneath jockey Mike Smith, Cabo Spirit stole the show with a masterful front-running ride to defeat King of Gosford (GB) by three-quarters of a length for trainer George Papaprodromou and owner Kretz Racing. The Pioneerof the Nile gelding will have Frankie Dettori aboard this time as Mike Smith shifts to the saddle of two-time grade 3 winner Goliad. Racing in the silks of Perry Bass II and Ramona Bass and trained by Richard Mandella, Goliad returns from a 6 1/2-month freshening following a ninth-place finish in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar. From their positions in the far outside of the gate, Cabo Spirit and Goliad are expected to both vie for the early lead. The pair might also find early presence from King of Gosford, who went gate to wire two starts ago while winning the Mathis Mile Stakes (G2T) and stalked second behind Cabo Spirit throughout the one-mile American. The cast of nine have become well acquainted in their prior runnings, and a familiar face to several of the runners, Atitlan, joins the show. Defeated by the likes of Formidable Man and King of Gosford last season, Atitlan has carved out a successful path stretching out over the Santa Anita turf. John O'Connor's 4-year-old son of The Factor exits a pair of graded victories over longer distances: the 1 1/2-mile San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) in March and the 1 1/4-mile Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) May 3. In two starts at the one-mile distance, Atitlan picked up his maiden victory and finished third in the Mathis Mile. Antonio Fresu picks up the mount for John Shirreffs.