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Raging Bull Back In Winner's Circle With Shoemaker Mile Victory

Author: Clint Goodman
Published: Tuesday May 26, 2020
Peter Brant's Raging Bull ran away from his competition to score the $302,500 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park on May 25. The victory followed a 17-month stretch without making it into the winner's circle.

The Shoemaker Mile was one of the first grade 1 races since the easing of restrictions in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a field of 10 older horses ready to run in the event. 

Race Breakdown

At the break, Preakness Stakes (G1) winner War of WIll had some trouble with jockey Tyler Gaffalione as they moved inside from post 5. Several of the runners ended up making contact, including Voodoo Song, but he recovered quickly and moved to the lead on the rail with jockey Mike Smith.

With Voodoo Song in the lead, Neptune's Storm ran just off the rail and pressed the leader through a :44.75 half mile. Behind the leaders were Blitzkrieg and War of Will in third and fourth, and River Boyne soon joined them. He was fourth by a head through six furlongs in 1:08.56.

War of Will stayed on the rail along the backstretch, but as he exited the second turn, he got his head up front for a brief period. It didn't last long, as Raging Bull moved up from the eighth spot he held most of the race. He moved out four wide on the turn before taking the lead.

At the top of the stretch, jockey Joel Rosario and Raging Bull were ahead by a length. Staying on the inside, Raging Bull faced no traffic and finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead with 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 jockey John Velazquez made an impressive run from last in the field after being squeezed at the start, and they finished in second after a four-wide move. 

"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."

Third place was taken by Without Parole by a neck after a photo finish with River Boyne. 

War of Will was disqualified from fifth to sixth following a stewards inquiry for interference at the start. He was found to have ducked at the break, causing True Valour to miss out on a better place. 

The order was completed by Neptune's Storm, Blitzkrieg, Voodoo Song, and March to the Arch. 

According to Juan Hernandez, assistant to trainer Chad Brown, the team was extremely proud of Raging Bull's run. 

The Shoemaker Mile is a "Win and You're In" event, meaning it was a 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 Career

Raging Bull's best season was at 3, when he scored the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G1T), Fourstardave Handicap (G1T), and Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T). 

Raging Bull was bred in France by Dayton Investments Limited out of the Mr. Greeley mare Rosa Bonheur. He was purchased for $100,935 by E. Colombo Agency from The Castlebridge Consignment at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. 

His record is at 6-2-2 from 13 starts, and he crossed the million-dollar mark with his Shoemaker Mile victory, taking his earnings to $1,100,750.