Temple City’s Bolo goes all the way in Shoemaker Mile (G1)

Bolo turned in a superb performance to capture the $500,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1) on Memorial Day at Santa Anita Park. The venerable 7-year-old is Temple City’s third Grade 1 winner, joining the ultra-classy Miss Temple City and Hollywood Derby (G1) champ Annals of Time.

Bolo, winner of the Arcadia S. (G2) in 2016 and 2017, was away from the races following the 2017 Shoemaker until returning this April 28 in a Santa Anita allowance. Given an outside chance by the bettors, Bolo was hustled out of the gate by Florent Geroux to get the lead going under the wire the first time. Carving out fractions of :23.51 and :46.95 while maintaining at least a one-length lead, Ohio (BRZ) and Sharp Samurai mounted a challenge on the turn, but Bolo and plenty left and spurted away to best River Boyne (IRE) by nearly two lengths in 1:34.07 on the “good” turf.

“Right from the beginning he was so sharp,” said Geroux. “I felt like he took a few good breathers during the race, and I thought from that point he was going to be the one to catch.”

An emotional Carla Gaines, who trains Bolo, thanked her owners and team for getting the horse back to the races after his extended time off. “It’s hard to say in words what this means, I can’t verbalize it. He means everything to our barn, he’s the chief. My emotions are coming from the long road back to the track with him and he’s just special.”

Bolo, who was bred by Spendthrift Farm, is owned by Golden Pegasus Racing, Inc. His record now stands at 6-1-4 in 19 starts, with earnings of $976,870. Monday’s win also guaranteed him a spot in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita later this year.

Pedigree Notes from the TDN:

Wayne Hughes purchased Bolo’s dam Aspen Mountain for $210,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling in 2003. She is a half-sister to the dam of GI Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and multiple Grade I winner Dullahan.

Bolo’s yearling full-sister sold for $25,000 at this year’s Keeneland January sale and his now 2-year-old full-sister RNA’d for $130,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale.