Karelian Set for Shoemaker Mile

Karelian, winner of the Grade I Makers Mark Mile at Keeneland in his last start, will be shipped west for the $250,000 Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park on May 31, trainer Rusty Arnold confirmed Thursday from Kentucky.

“He will breeze here Sunday morning and we will put him on a plane Wednesday,” said Arnold, who has given Rafael Bejarano the call for the Shoemaker.

Karelian, an 8-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Bertrando, has won 10 of 21 starts and earned $738,675. He seeks to follow in the footsteps of Thorn Song, who shipped in from Kentucky to win the Shoemaker last year.

“This is probably his best year,” said Arnold. “He’s been plagued with physical problems his whole career but he got himself sound as an 8-year-old. He’s always had a lot of talent.”

Veterans have run well in the Shoemaker during the past decade. The Tin Man became the oldest to win at 9 in 2007. In addition, Redattore won at 8 in 2003, and Ladies Din and Designed for Luck won at 7 in 2002 and 2004, respectively.

Karelian, owned and bred by Green Lantern Stable, is unbeaten in two starts this year. He finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita last year.

Other probable starters include Inglewood Handicap winner Gallant Son (Mike Smith), Arcadia Handicap winner Compari (Joel Rosario), 2009 American Handicap winner Monterey Jazz (Tyler Baze), Riviera Cocktail (Alonso Quinonez), Blue Chagall and Mr Gruff.

Also nominated are Dewey’s Special, Enriched, Euroglide, Global Hunter, Golden Balls, Great Siege, Meteore, Noble Court, Oil Man, Tangled Tango and Victor’s Cry.

Compari, scratched from the Inglewood because of a bruised foot, worked six furlongs on turf under Rosario in a bullet 1:13 to the satisfaction of trainer Marty Jones Thursday.

“He’s been training good, relaxing real well,” said Jones of the 4-year-old gelding by 2003 winner Redattore seeking his seventh straight win. “It’s a tough race, but he tries hard.”