Optimus Prime impresses in New York Turf Writers Cup

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Optimus Prime began his North American steeplechase career in style on Thursday at Saratoga, using a burst of speed in the stretch to win the Grade 1, $175,000 New York Turf Writers Cup by 1 1/4 lengths.

The victory was momentous for his trainer Richard Hendriks, jockey Ross Geraghty, and owners George and Mandy Mahoney, who own Rosbrian Farm in Glyndon, Md.

Hendriks won the 1982 New York Turf Writers as a jockey aboard three-time champion steeplechaser Zaccio for the late trainer W. Burling Cocks.

“I won this race when I was 18 years old,” Hendriks said. “I’m 54 now.”

Optimus Prime was Geraghty’s 100th North American steeplechase winner, a large number in a sport that offers only limited opportunities. Geraghty, 41, estimated that he had won another “80 or 90 races in Ireland.”

According to Geraghty, the New York Turf Writers was his eighth Grade 1 win.

“To do it here is awesome,” Geraghty said. “It’s a big deal. To do it in a Grade 1 is even more special.”

The New York Turf Writers was the third Grade 1 win for Rosbrian Farm, according to George Mahoney. They won the 2017 Smithwick at Saratoga with Swansea Mile, who went on to finish fifth in the New York Turf Writers. Mahoney said he and his wife also won a Grade 1 in Ireland last December.

Optimus Prime was making his first start since finishing fourth in the $135,000 Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in June. Hendriks explained the horse was for sale and recommended to him by Noel Fehily, Optimus Prime’s regular rider overseas.

“We bought him sight unseen,” said Hendriks, who is based in Pennsylvania. “He was running against very good horses, graded horses in Europe. I met with George, and he said, ‘What do you think?’ and I said, ‘We need this horse. He’s a good horse.’ ”

Hendriks explained they bought Optimus Prime with the New York Turf Writers in mind, but that the horse had been off a month when they got him, and it had been a tight schedule to make the race.

“We’ve worked him with our horses at home, and his last couple of works were ‘Oh my God.’ ” Hendriks said. “We’ve schooled him over jumps about three or four times just to make sure he was comfortable. The first time, he didn’t go perfectly, but every time, he just improved. He’s demolished all our horses working at home.”

Optimus Prime, a 6-year-old bred in France, began his career in flat races but is now 6 for 17 over jumps. He earned $105,000 in the New York Turf Writers.

Hendriks said Optimus Prime would be pointed to the Grade 1, $175,000 Lonesome Glory Handicap at Belmont Park on Sept. 20.

In the 2 3/8-mile New York Turf Writers, Geraghty tucked Optimus prime in along the inside behind the leaders. He didn’t ask for much run until after the last of the nine fences.

Geraghty angled Optimus Prime to the outside for the stretch run, and he finished with a good run to overtake Iranistan in upper stretch and pull away.

“I just followed the leaders all the way,” Geraghty said. “We traveled very easy the whole way. I just had to wait and bide my time. I was in the stretch a bit when I asked him to go.”

Optimus Prime paid $16.40 and was timed over firm ground in 4:31.83.

New Member, well back early in the eight-horse field, challenged in upper stretch but could not keep pace with the winner. It was 3 1/4 lengths back to third-place Iranistan, who alternated on the early lead with Clarcam.

Clarcam backed up to finish seventh after his rider lost his left iron going over the sixth jump.