Voss has two shots to extend steeplechase streak in A.P. Smithwick

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Elizabeth Voss has won the last three Grade 1 steeplechase stakes run at Saratoga, a streak she looks to continue Thursday when she runs Portrade and Modem in the Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick at 2 1/16 miles.

Voss finished first and third in last year’s Smithwick with Bob Le Beau and Portrade. In the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup three weeks later, Portrade won while Bob Le Beau – the 2015 New York Turf Writers winner – was injured and ultimately euthanized.

In April, Portrade finished second in the Temple Gwathmey in Middleburg, Va., beaten a neck by Scorpiancer, who came back to win the Iroquois Stakes by 16 lengths before getting hurt. Portrade, meanwhile, finished fourth in the National Hunt Cup at Radnor.

“He’s run the same way there the last two years,” Voss said of the Radnor race. “I don’t know if it’s the course being right-handed or what. He’s an honest horse; he’ll always give his best effort. I’d like to say we’ll be out in front, but I think everybody’s caught on and won’t let us have it so easy.”

Modem, a 7-year-old gelding, is making his first start in the U.S. after racing 46 times, 19 over jumps, mostly in Ireland. Voss’s husband, Gary Murray, picked the horse out, and he only recently arrived to the stable.

“We just got him here, but the trip didn’t seem to take much out of him,” Voss said. “He’s been feeling great. He’s a great mover. Obviously, he’s run plenty of times over jumps. He knows what he’s doing.”

Jack Doyle, who teamed with Voss to win this race last year with Bob Le Beau and in 2014 with Makari, rides Modem, who gets Lasix for the first time. At 154 pounds, Modem is the second highweight, just behind Mr. Hot Stuff, who totes 156.

Trainer Jack Fisher won the A.P. Smithwick in 2015 with Choral Society and in 2013 with Mr. Hot Stuff. Now 11, Mr. Hot Stuff is back for another shot at the Smithwick. In his most recent start, he was pulled up in the Grade 1 Iroquois after another horse jumped into him, Fisher said. Prior to that, he finished third, 12 lengths behind Scorpiancer and Portrade, in the Temple Gwathmey.

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“I wish he was 7,” Fisher said. “He’s a cool horse. He loves what he’s doing. We’re giving him a shot.”

Fisher also sends out Schoodic, who adds blinkers following a fifth-place finish in the National Hunt Cup.

“I thought he was just galloping around in his last start,” Fisher said. “Adding blinkers I thought might sharpen him up a little bit.”

All the Way Jose, a 15-length winner of a handicap race in May, will represent Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard, a five-time Smithwick winner. He gets in light with 144 pounds – 12 fewer than Mr. Hot Stuff.

Completing the field are Simenon, Andi’amu, Diplomat, Balance the Budget, Swansea Mile, and Charminster.