Thursday’s Grade 1, $100,000
A.P.
Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase at Saratoga has a 2011 look about it as the
top three finishers from last year’s renewal will do battle again in the 2
1/16-mile prep for the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup, which is scheduled for
August 23.
Divine Fortune, who seeks a third consecutive win in this race, was a
two-length winner last year off a 49-week layoff, but failed to win the
remainder of the season, his best finish being a second in the Grade 1 Colonial
Cup. The nine-year-old has started 2012 on a positive note with an allowance win
preceding a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Iroquois in his most recent start
May 12.
Decoy Daddy, last year’s runner up, had a consistent campaign last term that
included a win in the Grade 2 Marcellus Frost. However, the Irish-bred has
fallen on harder times in his last two starts, including a last-place effort in
the Iroquois in his season debut. Meanwhile, 2011 Smithwick third Nationbuilder
occupied the same slot in the Iroquois last time but has not come close to
winning over the past 21 months.
Tax Ruling, a 2011 Eclipse Award finalist following wins in the Iroquois and
Colonial Cup, retreated to fourth when attempting to win the former for a third
consecutive year last time, but could be a strong factor if able to regain his
best form.
Decoy Daddy and Tax Ruling are coupled with two other Irv Naylor-owned
entrants, Via Galilei and The Jigsaw Man. The former enters on a bit of a hot
streak having won the Grade 3 Temple Gwathmey and Grade 3 Zeke Ferguson Memorial
since his importation earlier this year, while The Jigsaw Man will be making his
U.S. debut off modest showings in minor hurdles in England.
Country Cousin, runner-up in the Marcellus Frost, Temple Gwathmey and Grade 3
Carolina Cup this year, is another logical threat in a seemingly wide-open
affair. Completing the field are All Together, Dynaski, Left Unsaid, and Spy in
the Sky.
The flat feature Thursday is the $100,000
Birdstone
for older horses at 1 1/8 miles. The likely favorite is multiple stakes winner
San Pablo, who narrowly missed in the Grade 3 Excelsior two back and then ran
fourth as the 7-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup last time.
Todd Pletcher, who won this race with Rule in 2011, will saddle San Pablo as
well as Grade 2-placed multiple stakes winner Alma d’Oro and Grade 3 veteran
Colizeo.
Trainer Rick Dutrow has entered two horses, both of whom ran this past
weekend. Isn’t He Perfect finished second in the Mountainview Handicap at Penn
National Saturday night, while Gallant Fields was claimed for $50,000 after an
optional-claiming eighth going six furlongs at Saratoga earlier in the day.
Also running first off the claim is Grade 3 veteran Pleasant Prince, haltered
by Bruce Brown for $75,000 on July 25. The field is completed by recent Grade 3
Greenwood Cup third-placer Hello Lover.
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