Moscato wins duel with Optimus Prime in A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The last move proved to be the winning move in Thursday’s Grade 1, $100,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Stakes at Saratoga, as Moscato was passed by Optimus Prime going into the far turn and then ran by that one in the shadow of the wire to win by three-quarters of a length.

It was 2 1/2 lengths back in third to Gibralfaro, who was followed by Redicean and Chief Justice. Pravalaguna, the pace-setting Surprising Soul, and Winner Massagot were all eased. Belisarius scratched.

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The win was the second straight and seventh from 15 jump races for Moscato, a 9-year-old Great Britain-bred owned by Bruton Street-US. He was coming off an 11-length victory in the Temple Gwathmey Stakes at Middleburg in June. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime, a multiple graded stakes winner, was making his first start in more than a year.

“I thought we were in serious trouble on the turn,” said Jack Fisher, the trainer of Moscato. “Optimus Prime cruised up but Optimus Prime hadn’t run in a year and I think he needed the race and he ran out of gas the last sixteenth. I think he’ll be very tough next time.”

Winning jockey Michael Mitchell said he just needed clear room for Moscato after having to wait while racing along the inside early.

“He really met every fence nicely and covered the ground well,” Mitchell said. “They just started to slow up coming into the turn, and coming out of the turn he got trapped for a little bit of room, but his stamina kicked in and he really went well to the line and got his head in front at the right time.”

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Moscato covered the 2 1/16 miles over ground labeled firm in 3:47.51 and returned $5.40 as the 8-5 favorite.

The victory gave Fisher and Bruton-US a sweep of the first two steeplechase events at this meet. Wednesday, they won the $55,000 Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes with Snap Decision.

Fisher said both Snap Decision and Moscato would be pointed to the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap on Aug. 20, pending weight assignments.