Rosbrian Farm's Optimus Prime led over the last fence of the Virginia Gold Cup's David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) on May 4. (Tod Marks photo)
Rosbrian Farm’s Optimus Prime, an easy winner of his two starts this year and the National Steeplechase Association’s top-rated hurdler, heads a crowded list of 15 nominees to Saratoga Race Course’s $150,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) on Thursday, July 25.
Trained by Ricky Hendriks, the French-bred is no stranger to Saratoga. He made his U.S. debut there last August and won the New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap (Gr. 1). He has been beaten only once since then, a third to Eclipse champion Zanjabeel in Belmont Park’s Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1).
He opened his 2019 campaign with an easy 8¾-length victory in the Virginia Gold Cup’s David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) on May 4, a performance that earned him an NSA rating of 161. He signaled his readiness for Saratoga with a three-length win in a Parx Racing flat race for hurdlers on July 1.
Second in the ratings at 157 is Irv Naylor’s Bedrock, who arrived in the U.S. after two victories last fall in midlevel hurdle stakes races in Ireland. Now trained by Leslie Young, he would be making his first U.S. start.
The Maryland-based owner also nominated Sempre Medici, who set the pace in the Semmes and finished second. The French-bred, rated at 140, is trained by Cyril Murphy.
Jack Fisher, the runaway leader in the NSA’s trainer standings this year, nominated four to the 2 1/16-mile Smithwick. Two of them, Foxtrot NH Racing Partnership’s Vosne Romanee and Gill Johnston’s Peppay Le Pugh, would be making their American debuts after successful overseas careers.
Vosne Romanee, rated at 151, had three wins last year, most recently in an Ascot hurdle handicap in November. Peppay Le Pugh departed Ireland with a handicap win and a second in April.
Fisher also nominated Riverdee Stable’s Gibralfaro, winner of the Queen’s Cup MPC ’Chase for novices in April, and Sonny Via’s Hinterland, second in Fair Hill’s Valentine Memorial Handicap on May 25.
The Valentine winner, Robert A. Kinsley’s No Wunder, was nominated by Elizabeth Voss along with Kinsley’s Modem, who most recent start over fences was a sixth in last year’s Smithwick.
Also among the nominees are four Grade 1 winners striving to regain their top form after long fallow periods. Last year’s upset Smithwick winner, Mark W. Buyck Jr.’s Show Court, most recently finished fourth in the Valentine.
Rosbrian’s Swansea Mile, also trained by Hendriks, won the 2017 Smithwick at 28.50-to-1. He opened his 2019 campaign with a listless seventh under trying weather conditions at the Willowdale Steeplechase outside Philadelphia on May 12.
Voss nominated The Fields Stable’s Portrade, front-running winner of the 2016 New York Turf Writers who missed the 2018 season and was pulled up in his two starts this year.
Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard nominated Buttonwood Stable’s All the Way Jose, winner of the 2017 Lonesome Glory. The Sheppard-bred has two fourth-place finishes this year, most recently in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1) at Nashville on May 11.
Sheppard also nominated Hudson River Farms’ Winston C, an Irish-bred who finished third in the Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle for novices at the Iroquois meet.
Also coming out of the Frost is Belisarius, who finished eighth. Owned by Gary Barber, Brous Stable, and Wachtel Stable, Belisarius had finished a good second in the Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2) for trainer Kate Dalton on April 20.
Here are the nominees to the A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) in alphabetical order. Their NSA 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: 2-0-0-0, $11,250. 2018 record: 6-0-1-1, $ 68,200. 2017 record: 7-2-1-3, $179,300. 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). (133)
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: No starts. Begins his U.S. career after two victories in Irish hurdle stakes at Tipperary and Down Royal in fall of 2018. (157)
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: 2-0-1-0, $13,500. 2018 NSA record: 6-2-1-2, $106,200. 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. Never has finished off the board in five jumps starts. (132)
Gibralfaro. (Ire). 2012 b. g., Dalakhani (Ire)—Ronda, by Bluebird. Owner: Riverdee Stable. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Breeder: Sarl Darpat France (Ire). 2019 record: 2-1-0-0, $64,500. 2018 record: 5-1-3-0, $77,250. Opened 2019 with victory in Queen’s Cup MPC ’Chase for novices, then was sixth in Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1). Finished second in Far Hills’ 2018 Foxbrook Champion Hurdle division and Aflac Supreme Hurdle. Finished second in Iroquois’ 2018 Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle for novices, then was sixth in Belmont Park’s William Entenmann Memorial Novice Stakes. Set pressured pace and won 2018 Tryon Block House allowance hurdle. (134)
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: 3-0-1-0, $12,950. 2018 record: 4-0-1-0, $63,750. 2017 record: 2-0-1-0, $36,000. 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). (125)
Modem (GB). 2010 b. g., Motivator—Alashaan, (GB), by Darshaan (GB). Owner: Robert A. Kinsley. Trainer: Elizabeth Voss. Breeders: Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Deer (GB). 2019 NSA record: No starts. 2018 record: 2-0-1-0, $41,250. Making first 2019 start over fences after 10th in Par flat race. Finished second in 2018 Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1) before sixth in A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1). Finished second in four 2017 Grade 1 races. (142)
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: 2-1-0-0, $27,000. 2018 NSA record: 6-0-3-0, $43,200. 2017 NSA record: 8-2-1-1, $67,150. 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)
Optimus Prime (Fr). 2012 b. g., Deportivo—Diluvienne, by Kaldoun. Owner: Rosbrian Farm. Trainer: Ricky Hendriks. Breeder: Haras de Plasence (Fr). 2019 record: 1-1-0-0, $45,000. 2018 NSA record: 3-2-0-1, $167,500. Easily won his 2019 debut, the Virginia Gold Cup’s David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) by 8¾ lengths. Won 2018 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 2) by 18 lengths. In his U.S. debut, won Saratoga Race Course’s 2018 New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap (Gr. 1), then was third in Belmont Park’s Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1). Previously trained by Dan Skelton. (161)
Peppay Le Pugh (Ire). 2011 b. g., Arakan—Pinaflore, by Formidable. Owner: Gillian Johnston. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Breeder: John Kennedy (Ire). 2019 NSA record: No starts. Raced extensively in lower-level hurdle and steeplechase handicaps in England. Closed out that phase of his career with a second at Carlisle in April 2019 after a win at Ayr. (135)
Portrade (Ire). 2009 b. g., Trade Fair (GB)—Portorosa, by Irish River (Fr). Owner: The Fields Stable. Trainer: Elizabeth Voss. Breeder: Keene Bloodstock (Ire). 2019 record: 2-0-0-0, $0. 2018 record: No starts. 2017 record: 3-0-1-0, $19,000. Pulled up after tiring in 2019 Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2) and David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2). Missed 2018 season after fourth in 2017 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1). Won the 2016 New York Turf Writers (Gr. 1). (124)
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: 1-0-1-0, $13,500. 2018 record: 4-0-1-0, $24,500. Finished second in 2019 David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) at Virginia Gold Cup. 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. (140)
Show Court (Ire). 2009 b. g., Vinnie Roe—Sparking Gem, by Revoque. Owner: Mark W. Buyck Jr. Trainer: Arch Kingsley Jr. Breeder: Grange Stud (Ire). 2019 NSA record: 3-0-0-0, $3,500. 2018 record: 6-2-0-0, $122,000. Opened 2019 with sixth in Carolina Cup Handicap, then was pulled up in Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 2) and fourth in Valentine Memorial Handicap. Won Saratoga’s 2018 A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1), then was fourth in New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap (Gr. 1) and fell in Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1). Won Steeplechase at Callaway allowance hurdle after fourth in David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Handicap (Gr. 2) at International Gold Cup. Won 2017 Carolina Cup. (126)
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 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)
Vosne Romanee (GB). 2011 ch. g., Arakan—Vento Del Oreno, by Lando (Ger). Owner: Foxtrot NH Racing Partnership. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Breeder: Mrs. L.M.G. Walsh (GB). 2019 NSA record: No starts. Won an Ascot steeplechase handicap in November 2018 and most recently finished fifth in a Warwick handicap. (151)
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: 1-0-0-1, $10,000. 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. (136)