Staying out of trouble in 12-horse field might be key to victory in Red Smith
Soldier Rising, Balthus, and Highest Honors each is coming off a troubled run, and their connections are hoping for a clean trip in a 12-horse field Saturday in the Grade 2, $300,000 Red Smith at Aqueduct.
The three-turn race for 3-year-olds and up will be run over 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf. It’s the richest offering on a card featuring three stakes. The lineup also includes the Grade 3, $175,000 Fall Highweight Handicap and the $120,000 Central Park Stakes. The forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 56 degrees. First post is 11:50 a.m. Eastern.
Soldier Rising could go favored in the Red Smith off a pair of triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures. He popped a career-high 103 two starts ago when he was third by a length in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. In his most recent start, Soldier Rising earned a Beyer of 100 when fourth in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct.
:: DRF Black Friday Sale: Save 20% on DRF PPs, Clocker Reports, and other handicapping essentials
Trainer Christophe Clement said the horse got shut off when he was trying to rally inside in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, which was run on good ground Oct. 8.
“He’s a horse who's got a steady run,” Clement said. “He’s got no turn of foot, but he stays. If you shut him off, you’re dead. I need a clear run the last quarter-mile.”
Trainer Chad Brown will counter with Highest Honors and Balthus, who come off respective third- and fifth-place finishes in the Grade 3 Sycamore on Oct. 14 at Keeneland.
“That was a tough trip at Keeneland last time,” Brown said of the Sycamore, which had a field of 12. “It was a very competitive race, a lot of traffic in the lane. These two horses had a little bit of trouble and they weren’t the only two. There was a good handful that were all looking for some clear paths. It was a good race for both of them.”
Soldier Rising will break from post 9 under Jose Ortiz. The son of Frankel is looking for his first stakes win after running second or third in five such races. He has earned more than $700,000. Soldier Rising races for Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, Dubb, Bailey, and Caruso.
Manny Franco has the mount on Balthus, who starts from post 3. Balthus was making his stakes debut in the Sycamore following three consecutive wins, all over marathon turf distances. The son of Galileo races for Peter Brant.
Irad Ortiz Jr. will be aboard Highest Honors, who will break from the rail Saturday. The horse has stepped up his game with the move to marathon racing in May, running third in a trio of marathon turf stakes, including the Grade 3 Louisville at Churchill Downs.
“I think we found what he wants to do at this stage of his career,” Brown said. “Hopefully, he can break through. He’s had some challenging trips, but the effort’s there and he’s finishing well. He’s close.”
Highest Honors is a son of Tapit who races for his breeder, Will Farish. He is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Diamondrella.
Astronaut was third in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last out, earning a career-high Beyer Figure of 100.
He spent 2021 and the summer of 2022 in California, winning the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap in August 2021. The Del Mar Handicap was run over the same distance as the Red Smith. Astronaut has some speed, which could help keep him up out of trouble in the large field Saturday. Kendrick Carmouche has the mount from post 4 for trainer Tom Albertrani.
Mooney Love has won in Italy, Germany, and New York. He made his U.S. debut last out at Saratoga, winning a first-level allowance at 1 1/2 miles on turf July 27. Joel Rosario has the mount for trainer Bill Mott.
Temple was the runner-up in the Sycamore, finishing a neck in front of Highest Honors. He’s returning to the distance over which he won the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida in March at Gulfstream Park. Javier Castellano has the mount for trainer Mike Maker.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.
– additional reporting by David Grening