Rosbrian Farm’s Swansea Mile recorded a two-length victory on Thursday in the $150,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase (NSA-G1) at Saratoga with jockey Michael Mitchell aboard.
Sent off the 28-1 second longest shot in the 10-horse field, Swansea Mile outgamed 5-2 favorite Modem by two lengths to finish about 2 1/16 miles over fences and good inner turf in 3:48.37.
It was the second steeplechase win for Mitchell at the Spa in as many days, as he also piloted Show Court to victory in Wednesday’s Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes.
Swansea Mile bided his time in midpack as Portrade led the way through the opening mile. That runner was tracked by Balance the Budget, who took over for a brief time. All the Way Jose lost jockey Keri Brion at the sixth of eight fences after striking the jump but continued alongside Modem, who was steadily making his way to the front.
Meanwhile, Swansea Mile had gained command of the race and led the way over the eighth and final jump. The Dylan Thomas gelding dug in to hold off Modem’s rally and pay $59 for the win.
Swansea Mile earned his first score in this spot since taking the Velux National Hunt Novices Hurdle at Kempton Park in England in April 2016. The bay seven-year-old finished seventh last out on the flat in a 1 1/2-mile turf allowance at Parx Racing on July 8.
Swansea Mile is trained by Richard Hendriks, who also sent out Simenon in this spot. Simenon was pulled up but appeared uninjured after returning to be unsaddled.
A.P. SMITHWICK MEMORIAL QUOTES
Richard Hendriks, trainer Swansea Mile, winner
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here in a Grade 1 in this winner’s circle, so it feels real good. He was eligible for some other races, but I have to give credit to (the owners). She said you have to like running up and down the hills and I listened to her. We took a shot and got in with a light weight and he ran a great nice. Mikey (Mitchell) gave him a wonderful ride. He’s a great horse and we’re lucky to have him.
“We ran him at Parx just to get a good flat race for him and have Mikey get a feel for him. He’s an excellent rider. He gallops (Swansea Mile) every day. He knew what he was doing today. He did a great job.
“We’ll have to come back for the (August 24 New York) Turf Writers (Cup [NSA-G1]) yes. It’s very hard to win a Grade 1 over jumps; we only have about five or six races. Hopefully we’ll keep him in one piece and we’ll be back in about a month.”
Michael Mitchell, jockey Swansea Mile, winner
“I wasn’t really expecting a lot out of him with this rain affecting the ground, but keeping him safe and straight. Once we got towards come, he was great.
“It feels pretty good. (It’s my) first time at Saratoga, and I think I’m starting to like this track. I’ve been really fortunate for the last two starts.”
