Shoe’s Last Horse Draws the No. 9 Post for Saturday

Patchy Groundfog, who on Saturday will carry Bill Shoemaker on the last ride of his storied 40-year career, today drew the No. 9 post position for The Legend’s Last Ride at Santa Anita.

The seven-year-old horse, chosen by Shoemaker, was entered today in a 12-horse field for the one-time-only $100,000-added grass stakes at Santa Anita.

Patchy Groundfog will carry 118 pounds in the one-mile race Saturday.

Under the conditions of the race, Shoemaker was allowed to pick his mount and two alternates in case Patchy Groundfog is scratched. If so, Shoemaker would replace Robbie Davis on first alternate, Shining Steel, or Martin Pedroza on second alternate, Ofanto, should Shining Steel also be scratched. The jockey replaced by Shoemaker would still receive his share of any purse money.

Completing the field are Happy Toss, Exemplary Leader, Splendor Catch, Nediym, River Master, Colson, Oraibi, Rampoldi and Bosphorous.

Patchy Groundfog has won 14 of 47 career starts. In his last race, Patchly Groundfog, ridden by Corey Black, was second in the San Gabriel Handicap on New Year’s Eve.

Shoemaker worked Patchy Groundfog three furlongs in :35 flat Wednesday morning.

The 58-year-old Shoemaker has won a world record 8,833 of 40,349 races.

Please see Section S for a look back at Shoemaker’s distinguished career.