Show Court, who had finished up the track in two prior attempts in Grade 1 company, pulled a off a 14-1 upset in Monday’s $175,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial (G1) at Saratoga.
Rating in fourth most of the way under Michael Mitchell, Show Court drove up an open path on the inside at the top of the stretch and fended off a late bid from 11-10 favorite Iranistan to win the 2 1/16-mile hurdle by one length. Overwhelming was six lengths adrift in third and was followed by pacesetter Personal Start, All the Way Jose, and Modem. Oskar Denarius, who was eased.
Owned by Mark Buyck Jr. and trained by Arch Kingsley, Show Court paid $30.20 after completing the course in 3:49 on good ground.
Originally campaigned in his native Ireland, Show Court won the 2017 editions of the $75,000 Jonathan Kiser and $75,000 Carolina Cup, both for novices, but had finished sixth in the New York Turf Writers Cup (G1) last summer and last of six in the Colonial Cup (G1) in his season debut March 31.
Show Court prepped for this at Suffolk Downs, where he finished third in an about 1 1/2-mile flat allowance for hurdlers on July 8. His record now stands at 33-6-4-4, $304,926.
A nine-year-old son of Vinnie Roe and the Revoque mare Sparkling Gem, Show Court hails from the same female line as French star and noted sire Blushing Groom. He was bred by Grange Stud.
