The Golden Shoe (G1)

Sunday, September 7, 2025 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3504002

Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $1,500,000
Restricted to 2 Year Olds
6 Furlongs | ~1200 Meters | Three Quarters of a Mile
Firm Turf

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The Golden Shoe is a premier Grade I event for two-year-olds, drawing a competitive field to the six-furlong firm turf course. With a substantial $1,500,000 purse on the line, this race promises to be a thrilling, high-speed affair. The winner will establish themselves as a top contender in the Turf Sprint division. Here is a horse-by-horse breakdown of the field.

Here’s a breakdown of each contender:

LOCK TO WIN (1)

Owner: redhill12
Breeder : redhill12
Foaled in IRE

Breaking from the rail, Lock to Win comes into this race with a strong high-speed rating and a solid ranking as one of the best in the Turf Sprint division. Jockey K Ledwith will need to navigate a clean trip from the inside post, but this colt has the turn of foot to be a major factor. His pedigree suggests he’s bred for this type of race, a combination of European staying power and American toughness.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: TEOFILO. A prolific sire of high-class performers, Teofilo is known for producing tough, consistent runners. His progeny often excel on turf, and this colt should have plenty of stamina and a strong will to win.
  • Dam: SURE AS SUNRISE by SMART STRIKE. The presence of the great American sire Smart Strike on the dam’s side adds a crucial layer of classic distance stamina and durability to this colt’s pedigree, creating a powerful blend of European and North American bloodlines.
  • Notable Races: The More Nay (G1 – 3rd), The Coventry Steaks (G2 – 2nd)

EURO GAMES (2)

Owner: fdllodgec
Breeder : fdllodgec
Foaled in GB

Euro Games has posted the highest recorded high-speed figure in the field, making him a tantalizing prospect despite a much lower rank. This suggests he is a colt with incredible raw ability who may be just now putting it all together. At 9/1 odds, he could be a major threat and a great value bet if he can replicate his top speed from a 7F race over a slightly shorter distance.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: MODERN GAMES. A new and exciting sire, Modern Games was a champion turf horse who traveled the world winning major races. He is known for his versatility and blistering turn of foot, and Euro Games appears to have inherited both of these traits.
  • Dam: EURO IN JULY by WOOTTON BASSETT (GB). This mare’s sire, Wootton Bassett, is one of Europe’s most successful stallions, known for siring champions across various distances. This elite dam line brings both class and a genetic predisposition for top-tier performance.
  • Notable Races: The Future (G2 – 4th)

CAUSEWAY DREAMS (3)

Owner: bfas7676
Breeder : bfas7676
Foaled in KY

A longshot at 25/1, Causeway Dreams is a horse that will be looking to get a clean trip and hope for a fast pace to close into. His high-speed number is the lowest in the field, but he may be a late developer who can spring a surprise. Jockey A Rolling will need to time his run just right.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: CLASSIC CAUSEWAY. A sire that consistently produces durable, hard-trying horses. While his progeny are not always the fastest out of the gate, they have a tendency to run on strongly at the finish.
  • Dam: NEVAEH DREAM by MANILA. The champion turf horse Manila is the sire of this mare, providing a strong turf foundation for this colt’s pedigree. This adds a crucial element of grass-running ability that could make him a surprise contender.
  • Notable Races: Vice Louis Turf Juvenile (2nd)

BIKER BAR (4)

Owner: bestmate
Breeder : bestmate
Foaled in IRE

Biker Bar is an intriguing entry at 12/1. He has posted a respectable high-speed figure and a middle-of-the-pack ranking. His pedigree is strong for a race like this, and he seems to be a horse that can compete with the best. He is a solid contender who could find himself in the mix late.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: MEHMAS. He is a top European sire known for producing precocious and fast two-year-olds. His runners are almost always at their best on the turf and at sprinting distances. Biker Bar has inherited this speed and should be right at home here.
  • Dam: OPUS THE WINE by INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (IRE). The sire of the mare, Invincible Spirit, is one of the world’s most successful sires of top-class sprinters. This bloodline reinforces a powerful sprinting pedigree and is a strong indication of this colt’s speed.
  • Notable Races: Oakridge Supports The Mecca Juvenile (2nd)

JACOBEAN MAJOR (5)

Owner: skunkman2
Breeder : skunkman2
Foaled in JPN

One of the favorites in the race at 5/1, Jacobean Major has shown impressive speed despite his lower rank. This indicates a horse that is still maturing and improving, and he could be peaking at the perfect time. His Japanese bloodlines give him an added element of toughness and stamina.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: DAIWA MAJOR. A successful Japanese sire, Daiwa Major’s progeny are known for their ability to run on turf at the highest level. They are often mentally tough and physically durable, which is a great combination for a championship race.
  • Dam: SUGARY BABES by DUBAWI (IRE). One of the world’s most influential sires, Dubawi adds a crucial layer of class, stamina, and versatility. This combination of top Japanese and European bloodlines makes Jacobean Major a horse of immense potential.
  • Notable Races: Stakes Debut

FIVE OH DORO (6)

Owner: cupsking1
Breeder : cupsking1
Foaled in AUS

Five Oh Doro comes into the race with mid-range stats and longer odds. He has shown ability over a slightly longer distance, so a fast pace in this six-furlong sprint could play right into his hands. At 16/1, he’s a potential upset pick if he gets a clean run.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: HAWAII FIVE OH (AUS). This Australian sire is known for siring horses with versatility. They can handle various distances and surface conditions, making Five Oh Doro a flexible and intriguing contender in this race.
  • Dam: BIG MEGA KIRBY by BIG DRAMA. The sire of the mare, Big Drama, was a champion American sprinter. This infusion of pure, top-level American sprint speed adds a new dimension to the Australian-sired colt’s pedigree.
  • Notable Races: Stakes Debut

FITZPATRICK (7)

Owner: charlatan
Breeder : zzzmilkshaker
Foaled in IRE

Fitzpatrick is arguably the horse to beat in this race. With the highest high-speed figure and the best rank in the field, he is a formidable contender. His 7/1 odds seem like a bargain given his impressive numbers, and he has a jockey in F Gossett who can get the most out of him.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: BLACKBEARD. A champion sprinter in his racing days, Blackbeard brings a pure shot of speed and class to his offspring. His runners are known for their early development and a powerful, relentless sprint to the wire.
  • Dam: COVET THE STARS by SEA THE STARS. The legendary European racehorse and sire, Sea The Stars, adds a crucial balance of stamina and classic-distance ability. This rare pairing of a champion sprinter sire and a champion stamina sire makes for a truly elite pedigree.
  • Notable Races: The Firebird (G1 – 4th), The Coventry Steaks (G2)

BRAZEN MORADA (8)

Owner: wonder5
Breeder : madeforlove
Foaled in AUS

Brazen Morada is a consistent runner with solid numbers. His high-speed figure is strong enough to compete, and his rank puts him just behind the top contenders. At 8/1 odds, he’s a reliable horse that could find himself in a good position to strike late.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: BRAZEN BEAU (AUS). An Australian sire renowned for producing talented turf sprinters. His progeny are known for their quick acceleration and ability to sustain a high cruising speed, which is a perfect fit for The Golden Shoe.
  • Dam: QUEEN BAVMORDA by EMPIRE MAKER. Empire Maker, a classic American sire known for producing durable horses with staying power, adds a contrasting element to this colt’s sprinting pedigree.
  • Notable Races: The Mother Lois (G3 – 2nd)

IMPOSSIBLE FALLOUT (9)

Owner: gwsgiants4
Breeder : foxon32
Foaled in AUS

Impossible Fallout is the true unknown of this race. With the lowest high-speed figure and no divisional rank, he is a major longshot. However, sometimes a horse has a breakout performance when they are least expected, and his pedigree suggests there might be more talent under the hood than the numbers show.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS). A well-regarded Australian sire, Pride of Dubai’s progeny often excel as two-year-olds. He is known for producing tough, versatile horses that can handle both turf and dirt.
  • Dam: GEFJUN LON by LONHRO. The dam’s sire, Lonhro, is a celebrated champion and one of Australia’s most successful stallions. This reinforces a powerful Southern Hemisphere pedigree that may be just now beginning to show its true colors.
  • Notable Races: Stakes Debut

YOGI HAS CRUMBS (10)

Owner: corzak10
Breeder : cjt
Foaled in IRE

Yogi Has Crumbs is a serious contender with excellent numbers across the board. His high-speed figure and rank place him among the best in the field. He has a great blend of speed and stamina in his bloodlines, and he is a legitimate threat to win.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: LITTLE BIG BEAR (IRE). A very popular and successful sire, Little Big Bear is known for siring powerful and precocious horses. He was a champion sprinter himself, and his offspring are tough competitors who are at their best in high-pressure situations.
  • Dam: SOUNDS OF CRUMB by SNITZEL. The sire of the mare, Snitzel, is a champion Australian stallion renowned for siring blistering sprinters. This creates an ideal cross of elite European and Australian sprint bloodlines.
  • Notable Races: The Firebird (G1 – 3rd), Stolen Turf Juvenile

ROWDY EQUIDAN (11)

Owner: jamwhis8
Breeder : jamwhis8
Foaled in AUS

Rowdy Equidan has a decent high-speed figure but is a bit of a longshot at 22/1. He has a lot of speed in his pedigree, and he has shown flashes of brilliance in his past races. If he can get a good position and find his best gear, he could be a factor in the late stages of the race.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: SEJARDAN (AUS). An Australian sire who produces dependable and versatile turf runners. His progeny are known for their consistent performances and ability to handle various track conditions.
  • Dam: ROWDY EQUIPHONE by MICROPHONE (AUS). This mare is by Microphone, an Australian champion two-year-old. This pedigree is stacked with Southern Hemisphere sprint speed, suggesting Rowdy Equidan is bred to be a top-level sprinter.
  • Notable Races: Northern Chant Turf Juvenile

LOSGAR (12)

Owner: mkracing
Breeder : etestcase
Foaled in KY

Losgar is a true wildcard in this race. He has no divisional rank but has a high-speed number that is very close to the best in the field. This suggests he is a horse that is still developing, and he could be a major threat if he can put it all together on race day.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: AMERICAN PHAROAH. A legendary American stallion, American Pharoah was the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown. His progeny are known for their class, stamina, and ability to perform on any surface. Losgar is a very intriguing runner from a top-class sire.
  • Dam: Scratchbred by RAVEN’S PASS. While this mare never raced, her pedigree is top-notch. She comes from the bloodline of Raven’s Pass, a champion racehorse and a successful turf sire. Her breeding suggests that she should have been a very good horse, and she has likely passed that talent on to her son.
  • Notable Races: Stakes Debut

IMPACT AFFAIRS (13)

Owner: pascalino1
Breeder : coolmorebarg
Foaled in AUS

Impact Affairs is a bit of a conundrum. He has a lower rank but a very strong high-speed figure. This suggests he is an improving horse with a lot of potential. At 7/1, he is a good value pick for those looking for a horse that could be a top performer in the future.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: HOME AFFAIRS. An Australian sire known for producing precocious and fast two-year-olds. His runners are built for speed and are at their best at sprinting distances. Impact Affairs should have plenty of early speed to get a good position.
  • Dam: WOETTE’S INPACT by DEEP IMPACT. This mare is by the legendary Japanese sire Deep Impact, one of the most successful stallions of all time. This creates a rare and powerful cross of top Australian sprinting speed with elite Japanese class and stamina.
  • Notable Races: Stakes Debut

SHALAA’S STARLIGHT (14)

Owner: snoopthedogg4
Breeder : snoopthedogg4
Foaled in AUS

Shalaa’s Starlight is an interesting entry with an impressive high-speed number and a vague ranking. This could be a sign of a horse that has not had a lot of racing experience but has shown flashes of brilliant talent. At 8/1, she could be a sleeper pick.

Pedigree Breakdown:

  • Sire: SHALAA (IRE). A top European sire of turf sprinters, Shalaa’s progeny are known for their early development and blistering speed. They are at their best in races like this, and Shalaa’s Starlight should be a natural sprinter.
  • Dam: SYMEON STAREYES by SEA THE STARS. The legendary European racehorse and sire, Sea The Stars, adds a crucial balance of stamina and classic-distance ability. This pairing of a champion sprinter sire and a champion stamina sire makes for a truly elite pedigree, identical to that of Fitzpatrick, and a recipe for success at the highest level.
  • Notable Races: The Firebird (G1), Gun Barrel Turf Juvenile

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