A competitive renewal of the Shoemaker Mile Stakes anchors Santa Anita Park’s traditional Memorial Day card. Although it’s not a “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series race this year, the Grade 1 Shoemaker is still an important late-spring test for turf milers pointed to the Breeders’ Cup this fall. The Shoemaker Mile, which was renamed from the Premiere Handicap to honor Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker in 1990, will be televised live on FanDuel TV.

1. El Potente: Ultra-consistent runner is seeking a breakthrough Grade 1 win and is a threat to get it here. He’s 6-for-10 on this course, including a dominant victory in the Thunder Road Stakes to start 2026 followed by a solid second last out in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes. Should get a good stalking trip from the inside post.

JOCKEY: Hector Berrios; TRAINER: Dan Blacker

2. Formidable Man: The class of the field who will be making his 5-year-old debut after finishing second by 1 ½ lengths last fall to European star Notable Speech in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF. He has been working steadily this spring, and Flavien Prat gets aboard for the first time since his career debut, a win back in 2023. Very formidable indeed.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy

3. King of Gosford: Won this race last year by a neck after a sustained late rush, and then finished 2025 with a disappointing sixth before rebounding to finish fourth in April in the one-mile American Stakes. He has held his own with many of these contenders and although his main jockey Prat will be aboard Formidable Man, he’s got a good replacement rider.

JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato

4. Genius Jimmy: Take three starts in Kentucky out of consideration, and he’s fired in every race going back to March 2025. He finished third by a head in the San Simeon Stakes sprinting and then second by a neck in the American Stakes in April. Overshadowed by stablemate Formidable Man’s return, but a longshot worth considering. 

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy

5. Almandares: Like several others here, he’s very consistent and has carved out a successful spot in the California turf division, with occasional trips out of state. He rallied to win the American Stakes in April by a neck over Genius Jimmy, but overall seems to settle for minor awards over the past two-plus years.

JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato

6. Mi Hermano Ramon: He ran well in 2025 despite going winless but has not shown the same ability in two starts so far this year at age 6, finishing fifth in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile and then sixth in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race, both on this turf course. Will need to improve greatly to hit the board in this tough spot.

JOCKEY: Emisael Jaramillo; TRAINER: Mark Glatt

Formidable Man (BENOIT photo)

7. Seal Team: He hasn’t won since ending 2023 with a Grade 2 score but has finished second once and third twice in Santa Anita graded stakes during that seven-race span, with one of those thirds in April’s American Stakes behind Almandares and Genius Jimmy. A minor award appears to be his ceiling with a new rider in the saddle.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Richard Mandella

8. Call Me Cory: Lightly raced 4-year-old makes his stakes debut in a challenging spot after impressively winning his last two races, both on this turf course earlier this year. Shortens up in distance after his most recent win at 1 1/8 miles. A wild card who will have to improve by leaps and bounds to defeat this accomplished field. 

JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Ryan Hanson

9. Twirling Point: Well-traveled gelding has stayed in California since last fall and he was claimed two starts back off of a win going 1 1/8 miles on this turf course. Finished a not-bad sixth in his first start for new trainer Blaine Wright in the American Stakes but will be hard-pressed to do better in this spot.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Gonzalez; TRAINER: Blaine Wright

THE PICK: Formidable Man

LIVE LONGSHOT: Genius Jimmy

SUPERFECTA: 2-1-4-5