Hudson River Farms' Winston C was invincible at Saratoga this summer, winning the A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and the New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) by open lengths. (Tod Marks photo)
Belmont Park’s $150,000 Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1) opens the National Steeplechase Association’s fall championship campaign, and the 2 ½-mile race on Thursday, Sept. 19, attracted a heavyweight list of 13 nominees.
Hudson River Farms’ Winston C, invincible at Saratoga Race Course over the summer, will be meeting fresh horses who sat out the summer season and now are ready for the year’s final two Grade 1 races, the Lonesome Glory and Far Hills’ $450,000 Grand National on Saturday, Oct. 19.
After an American debut in which the five-year-old finished third in the Iroquois Steeplechase’s Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle for novices, Winston C developed in Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard’s operation and collected two Grade 1 victories at Saratoga, the A. P. Smithwick Memorial and the New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap.
The Smithwick was impressive, and the New York Turf Writers was perhaps more impressive. Winston C won the 2 1/16-mile Smithwick by 3½ lengths and the 2 3/8-mile New York Turf Writers by 8¾ lengths while vanquishing the same opponents.
Based on the nominations, Winston C will have some new and formidable opponents in the Lonesome Glory. Among them is Bruton Street-US’s Scorpiancer, the 2017 Eclipse Award winner who won the Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1) for a second time on May 11.
Scorpiancer, who missed the 2018 season, carries the highest National Steeplechase Association rating, 154, going into the fall season. Winston C is at 153.
A 10-year-old veteran, Scorpiancer is trained by Jack Fisher, who also nominated Bruton Street-US’s Moscato, the 2017 novice champion who also missed the 2018 season. The French-bred won Middleburg Spring’s Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2) in his return to the races on April 20 and was third in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois.
Another member of Fisher’s barn nominated to the Lonesome Glory is Harold A. “Sonny” Via’s Hinterland, who finished third in the A. P. Smithwick and fourth in the New York Turf Writers.
Irv Naylor, always among the leading owners, nominated two contenders for the Lonesome Glory. Bedrock, trained by Leslie Young, finished sixth in the A. P. Smithwick, his American debut. He shares the 153 rating with Winston C.
Sempre Medici, trained by Cyril Murphy, finished eighth in the Smithwick after opening the year with a second-place finish in the Virginia Gold Cup’s David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) on May 4.
Young also nominated Sharon Sheppard’s Redicean, winner of Saratoga’s Jonathan Kiser Stakes for novices on July 24. Redicean came back four weeks later to finish fourth in the John’s Call Stakes on the flat at Saratoga. Redicean shares a 144 rating with Moscato.
Wendy Hendriks’ Surprising Soul finished a length behind Scorpiancer at Nashville and carries a 139 rating. The multiple stakes winner is trained by Ricky Hendriks, who also nominated Rosbrian Farm’s Swansea Mile, whose only jumps start this year was an unplaced finish in an allowance hurdle at a water-soaked Willowdale Steeplechase on May 12.
Trainer Kate Dalton nominated Belisarius and Help From Heaven, both of whom placed in Saratoga stakes. Belisarius, owned by Gary Barber, Brous Racing Stable, and Wachtel Stable, finished third in the New York Turf Writers, and Virginia Lazenby’s Help From Heaven was third in the Jonathan Kiser. Both also were nominated to Belmont’s William Entenmann Novice Stakes on Sept. 18.
In addition to Winston C, Sheppard nominated Buttonwood Farm’s All the Way Jose, the 2017 Lonesome Glory winner who most recently was fifth in the New York Turf Writers.
Completing the nominee list is Robert Kinsley’s No Wunder, the Valentine Memorial winner in May who was seventh in both the Smithwick and New York Turf Writers for trainer Elizabeth Voss.
Here are the 13 nominees to the $150,000 Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1). The horses’ National Steeplechase Association ratings are in parentheses at the end of their profiles.
All the Way Jose. 2010 b. g., Senor Swinger—Maternity Leave, by Northern Baby. Owner: Buttonwood Farm. Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard. Breeder: Jonathan Sheppard (Pa.) 2019 record: 4-0-0-0, $23,250. 2018 record: 6-0-1-1, $ 68,200. 2017 record: 7-2-1-3, $179,300. Finished fifth in Saratoga’s 2019 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap (Gr. 1). In 2019 debut, finished fourth in the Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2), then was fourth in Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1). Finished second in 2018 Noel Laing Handicap at Montpelier Hunt Races. Finished third in 2018 Grand National Gr. 1) for second straight year, after fifth in A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and sixth in New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) at Saratoga. Won 2017 Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1). (129)
Bedrock (GB). 2013 b. g., Fastnet Rock (Aus)—Gemstone, by Galileo (Ire). Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Leslie Young. Breeders: Highclere Stud and ORS Bloodstock (GB). 2019 NSA record: 1-0-0-0, $4,500. Made late bid in Saratoga’s 2019 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and tired to finish sixth. Began his U.S. career after two victories in Irish hurdle stakes at Tipperary and Down Royal in fall of 2018. (153)
Belisarius (Ire). 2011 b. g., Montjeu—Lasting Chance, by American Chance. Owner: Gary Barber, Brous Stable, and Wachtel Racing Stable. Trainer: Kate Dalton. Breeders: Lynch Bages Ltd. And Camas Park Stud (Ire). 2019 NSA record: 4-0-1-1, $28,500. 2018 NSA record: 6-2-1-2, $106,200. Finished third in Saratoga’s 2019 New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) after 10th in A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1). In 2019 debut, finished second in Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2), then was ninth in Iroquois’ Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle for novices. Won 2018 Foxbrook Champion Hurdle by 6¼ lengths. Set all the pace and won 2018 Monmouth Park maiden hurdle by two lengths. (130)
Help From Heaven. 2012 ch. g., Divine Park—Harlan Helper, by Friends Lake. Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable. Trainer: Kate Dalton. Breeders: Brereton C. Jones and Jimmy Blanton (Ky.) 2019 record: 3-0-1-2, $28,500. 2018 record: No starts. Just beaten when second in Iroquois Steeplechase’s Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle for novices, then third in Saratoga’s Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes. Finished third in Queen’s Cup ratings handicap, his first start in more than 2½ years. Won Saratoga allowance hurdle in August 2016 and went to sidelines. Two-time winner on flat in Louisiana. (126)
Hinterland (Fr). 2008 b. g., Poliglote (GB)—Queen’s Place, by Diamond Prospect. Owner: Harold A. “Sonny” Via Jr. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Breeder: Eric Aubree and Christian Bresson (Fr). 2019 record: 5-0-1-1, $35,450. 2018 record: 4-0-1-0, $63,750. 2017 record: 2-0-1-0, $36,000. Ran evenly to be third in Saratoga’s 2019 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and fourth in the New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1). Finished second in 2019 Valentine Handicap after fourth in Virginia Gold Cup’s David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) and fifth in Carolina Cup. Finished closing second in Belmont Park’s 2018 Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1), then was fourth in Far Hills’ Grand National (Gr. 1). (127)
Moscato (GB). 2011 gr. or ro. g., Hernando (Fr)—Alba Stella, by Nashwan. Owner: Bruton Street-US. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Breeder: Miss K. Rausing (GB). 2019 record: 2-1-0-1, $60,000. 2018 record: No starts. 2017 record: 6-4-2-0, $156,000. Novice champion of 2017 returned from a year on the sidelines and won the 2019 Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2), then was third in Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1). Won Belmont Park’s 2017 William Entenmann Novice Stakes and Saratoga’s Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes impressively after strong closing second in Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes. (144)
No Wunder (GB). 2011 b. g., Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)—Iwunder, by King’s Best. Owner: Robert A. Kinsley. Trainer: Elizabeth Voss. Breeder: Executors of the late J. Ellis (GB). 2019 record: 4-1-0-0, $27,000. 2018 NSA record: 6-0-3-0, $43,200. 2017 NSA record: 8-2-1-1, $67,150. Finished seventh in Saratoga’s 2019 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1). Won Fair Hill’s 2019 Valentine Memorial Handicap after sixth in Queen’s Cup MPC ’Chase. Finished fourth in Belmont Park’s 2018 William Entenmann Memorial Novice Stakes, then was sixth in Steeplechase at Callaway’s Aflac Supreme Hurdle. Finished close second in Saratoga’s Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes. (126)
Redicean (GB). 2014 b. g., Medicean (GB)—Red Halo, by Galileo (Ire). Owner: Sharon E. Sheppard. Trainer: Leslie Young. Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud (GB). 2019 NSA record: 1-0-0-0, $45,000. Graduated from novice ranks with victory in Saratoga’s 2019 Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes, his first U.S. start after respectable career in England. Departed with 11th in Scottish Champion Hurdle in April. (144)
Scorpiancer (Ire). 2009 b. g., Scorpion (Ire)—Janebailey, By Silver Patriarch. Owner: Bruton Street-US. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Breeder: Mary O’Connor (Ire). 2019 record: 2-1-0-0, $90,000. 2018 record: No starts. 2017 record: 2-2-0-0, $150,000. Won Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1) for a second time in 2019. Missed 2018 season and was pulled up in his first 2019 start, the Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2). Claimed 2017 Eclipse Award with victories in Calvin Houghland Iroquois and Temple Gwathmey. Won Belmont Park’s 2016 Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1). (154)
Sempre Medici (Fr). 2010 b. g., Medicean—Sambala, by Danehill Dancer. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Breeders: Myriam Bollack, Noel Forgeard, and E.A.R.L. du Haras de Pierrepont (Fr). 2019 NSA record: 3-0-1-0, $13,500. 2018 record: 4-0-1-0, $24,500. Finished second in 2019 David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) at Virginia Gold Cup, then was eighth in Saratoga’s A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1). Finished second in 2018 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 2) after fifth-place finishes in Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1) and Semmes. Competed in England and Ireland for trainer Willie Mullins before being imported. Female-line descendant of foundation mare Best in Show, by Traffic Judge. (139)
Surprising Soul. 2012 b. g., Perfect Soul (Ire)—Elusive Srprise, by Elusive Quality. Owner: Wendy W. Hendriks. Trainer: Ricky Hendriks. Breeder: Charles Fipke (Ont.) 2019 record: 2-0-1-0, $29,500. 2018 record: 3-2-1-0, $97,500. 2017 record: 7-3-0-1, $106,500. Finished second in 2019 Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr 1) after fourth in Carolina Cup Handicap, his 2019 debut. Won Saratoga’s 2018 Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes, then was second in Far Hills’ Foxbrook Champion Hurdle division. Opened 2018 with dominant victory in Radnor’s National Hunt Cup (Gr. 3). (139)
Swansea Mile (Ire). 2010 b. g., Dylan Thomas (Ire)—Hurry Up Helen, by In the Wings (GB). Owner: Rosbrian Farm. Trainer: Ricky Hendriks. Breeder: W. Kane (Ire). 2019 NSA record: 1-0-0-0, $0. 2018 record: 3-0-0-0, $8,500. 2017 record: 7-1-1-2, $122,650. No factor in first 2019 start, a Willowdale allowance hurdle on very soft ground. Finished fifth in 2018 Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup (Gr. 1), then was pulled up in David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) and distant fourth in Radnor’s National Hunt Cup (Gr. 3). Won Saratoga’s 2017 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) at 28.50-to-1, then finished fifth in New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) and third in Belmont Park’s Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1). (126)
Winston C (Ire). 2014 b. g., Rip Van Winkle (Ire)—Pitirizza, by Machiavellian. Owner: Hudson River Farms. Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard. Breeder: Patrick F. Kelly (Ire). 2019 NSA record: 3-2-0-1, $100,000. Won the 2019 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) by a widening 3½ lengths and then won New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) by 8¾ lengths. Opened his U.S. career with third in 2019 Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle for novices. Won three straight starts in winter-spring season in England before fifth in Betway Top Hurdle. (153)