Sheppard back in Spa winner's circle as Winston C takes Smithwick

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard had won at least one race for 47 consecutive Saratoga meets before that streak came to an end in 2016. For the last three meets, Sheppard had gone winless.

Thursday, Sheppard hopefully started a new run of success at the Spa as Winston C rallied from last in a 12-horse field to win the Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Steeplechase by 3 1/2 lengths.

This was the sixth victory in the Smithwick for Sheppard.

“A great way to start the meet,” Sheppard said. “You always feel a little bit of pressure because we’ve had quite a few good years up here. Every year is a new challenge and it’s nice to get that monkey off our back.”

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Winston C, a 5-year-old gelding by Rip Van Winkle was making just his second start in the U.S and second for Sheppard. He had finished third in a stakes at Percy Warner at Nashville in May. Sheppard noted that the fences in Europe are different than the ones in the U.S. and Winston C may have benefitted in the Smithwick from having his previous run.

“His jumping was a little rusty, slightly different type fences we have here,” Sheppard said. “Over there there are hurdles, and they kind of bust through them a little bit more, and I think he’s had a few practice schools since and the race under his belt, I think that helped him.”

Winston C, ridden by Thomas Garner, made an impressive half-mile flat run to get the victory.

“I’m not going to say I expected it, but I hoped for it,” Sheppard said. “He’s a little quicker than the average European steeplechaser.”

Winston C covered the 2 1/16 miles in 3:45.99 and returned $8.70 as the 3-1 second choice.

Vosne Romanee finished second by three-quarters of a length over Hinterland, who was 4 1/2 lengths clear of Gibralfaro. Those three horses were trained by Jack Fisher.