Iranistan faces Show Court in steeplechase rematch

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Iranistan will seek to turn the tables on Show Court while attempting to keep a peculiar streak intact and give Jonathan Sheppard an astounding 15th victory in the Grade 1, $175,000 New York Turf Writers’ Cup Steeplechase on Thursday at Saratoga.

Iranistan finished second by a length to Show Court in the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick Stakes here July 30. Oddly, no Smithwick winner has come back to win the Turf Writers at the same meet since Campanile in 1999.

“That’s probably good for us,” said Sheppard, who won his first New York Turf Writers in 1979.

Iranistan had won his first three steeplechase races and was sent off as the even-money favorite in the Smithwick, run at 2 1/16 miles over eight fences. He was beaten a length in the Smithwick under Darren Nagle.

“Darren said, in retrospect, because the horse stays so well, when they jumped that last fence on the backside maybe he should have sat down and tried to kick on instead of waiting until they got into the stretch,” Sheppard said. “He galloped out very strong after the finish. He wasn’t tired, he just couldn’t go any faster. He’s got a lot of stamina, high cruising speed, just not a lot of acceleration.”

Sheppard believes the added distance of the Turf Writers – it will be run at 2 3/8 miles over nine fences – will aid both Iranistan and his other entrant in the race, All the Way Jose, who finished fifth, beaten 21 1/2 lengths, in the Smithwick.

“Getting older, 2 1/16 miles is a little quick for him,” Sheppard said of All the Way Jose.

Sheppard added that jockey Ross Geraghty rode All the Way Jose for the first time in the Smithwick.

“He made a big early move and kind of emptied out a little bit,” Sheppard said.

Jack Doyle will ride All the Way Jose on Thursday.

Last year, Show Court won the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes at 2 1/16 miles here before running sixth in the New York Turf Writers. In the Smithwick, he got a really nice trip under Michael Mitchell, cutting the corner to rally inside of Iranistan turning for home.

Two European imports add some intrigue to the Turf Writers. Clarcam and The Game Changer, both trained by Gordon Elliott, make their U.S. debuts after racing in Ireland.

Clarcam is coming off a six-length victory in a $292,000 race on Aug. 1, but must tote high weight of 158 pounds. The Game Changer has not finished his last two races. Both are getting Lasix for the first time.

Jack Fisher sends out Overwhelming and New Member. Overwhelming was a well-beaten third in the Smithwick while New Member is coming off a victory in the Kiser.

“Overwhelming ran well enough,” Fisher said. “We were trying to get a piece of it. New Member has to step up, but he’s certainly capable.”

Optimus Prime and Personal Start complete the nine-horse field.