Compari Takes on G1 Company in Shoemaker Mile!  

Benoit Photo

Thoroughbredtimes.com by Steve Bailey
Grade 2 winner Compari will shoot for his seventh consecutive victory on Monday as he takes on a field that includes Grade 1 winner Karelian in the $250,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1) on the turf at Hollywood Park.

The four-year-old Redattore (Brz) gelding finished third in his career debut in February 2009 and has not lost since for trainer Martin Jones, a string that includes four stakes victories.

Compari has won all three of his starts this season, taking the Sensational Star Handicap, Crystal Water Handicap, and Budweiser Arcadia Handicap (G2) all in succession at Santa Anita Park. He will be making his Grade 1 debut on Memorial Day.

Green Lantern Stables’ Karelian is unbeaten in two starts the year, opening his season with a victory over dual champion Gio Ponti in the Tampa Bay Stakes on February 20 and a 1¼-length victory over multiple Grade 1 winner Court Vision in the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (G1) on April 9 at Keeneland Race Course in his most recent start.

Trained by Rusty Arnold, the eight-year-old Bertrando gelding was winless in three starts last year with a runner-up finish to Court Vision in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.

Gary Broad’s Mr Gruff enters on a four-race winning streak that includes victories in the 2009 and ’10 editions of the San Simeon Handicap (G3) at Santa Anita. He enters off a 2¼-length victory over Victor’s Cry, who also is entered in the Shoemaker, in the San Simeon on April 17.