Litfin's preview: Sheppard has talented trio in A.P. Smithwick
Accomplished steeplechasers clash in A.P. Smithwick
An experienced group of older geldings, most of whom are quite familiar with each other, meet again in the Grade 1, $100,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial, which kicks off Thursday's 10-race card at Saratoga at 12:25 p.m. Eastern.
The lineup includes the reigning Eclipse Award champion steeplechaser and the winner of the Smithwich in 2010 and 2011; last year’s the New York Turf Writers Cup winner; and the Michael G. Walsh winner by better than six lengths here last summer. And that’s merely the three-ply entry being sent out by Jonathan Sheppard!
Sheppard, who stretched his Saratoga winning streak to 46 consecutive years when Razzle Jazil ($17.60) came charging from far back in a $35,000 claimer at 1 1/2 miles over the flat last Saturday, will be represented by Divine Fortune, an 11-year-old who totes the top weight of 158 pounds; 2013 Turf Writers winner Italian Wedding; and Barnstorming, whose best jump race was delivered here last summer.
Divine Fortune comes off a win in the three-mile Iroquois in his first and only start this year, and will be “shortening up” to 2 1/16 miles.
“He has a real good, strong gallop, and puts in nice big jumps, which is effective over longer distances, but he probably doesn’t have quite the acceleration needed in shorter races,” said Sheppard.
Spy in the Sky has a history of springing upsets at Saratoga, beginning with a win at 6-1 in 2008. He copped the Turf Writers at 20-1 the following year, and won the 2012 renewal of the A.P. Smithwick at 25-1.
All Together, second in last year’s Turf Writers, is a logical contender for Jack Fisher, who took Wednesday’s jump race with Virsito ($9.30).
Big Business heads Evan Shipman
Big Business has compiled a remarkable record since brought to New York in September 2012 by David Jacobson, but the 6-year-old gelding will attempt to win past 1 1/16 miles for the first time in the Evan Shipman.
The post position draw for the 1 1/8-mile race did no favors for Big Business, who is on the far outside in a field of eight New York-breds.
Big Business, who is 9-4-0 from 14 starts on the circuit, comes off two huge efforts at Belmont – a neck loss in the Commentator to subsequent Suburban winner Zivo; and a career top 102 Beyer beating open third-level allowance foes.
Escapefromreality, last year’s Albany winner, returned from a nine-month layoff with a sharp placing downstate on May 23. He projects to be on or near the lead along with Big Business and Fox Rules, a Finger Lakes-based gelding who has won three straight at the Canandaigua oval.
Awesome Vision, a deep closer who was second by a head in this race a year ago, and nosed by Fox Rules at Finger Lakes on July 4, could benefit if fast fractions unfold.
Horse to Watch
War of Honor
Trainer: Mike Maker
Last race: July 28, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 58
First-time starter was bumped nearing the half-mile pole while toward the rear, rallied four wide into the lane and was bumped again by a tiring speed horse while finishing willingly.