Contents
Summer ‘Jump’ - The AP Smithwick in Jeopardy as Strong Storms Roll through Saratoga
Saratoga - Steinman Winner L'Imperator Looks to Add A.P. Smithwick
Summer Racing Entries - Saratoga and Colonial Downs
Legends - A.P. Smithwick Was A Gentleman And A Champion
“The ‘Jump newsletter’ is an absolute boon to me. Now domiciled in the UK, it keeps me updated on US jump racing. Thank you.” - Barbara Shaw (Facebook)
Welcome to the 42nd edition of ‘Jump’.
It looks like we're in for a jam-packed week of jump racing, or are we?
A big storm rolled through Saratoga last night, bringing strong winds and heavy rain along with tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. This all happened after a scorching day where temperatures peaked at 94 degrees at 3:30 p.m. in Albany, just shy of the 1997 records. Due to the weather, today's AP Smithwick race will probably be postponed as we expect they will move the action off the turf. This is the second time this summer that a race has had to be rescheduled, following the washout of the Beverly R. Steinman Stakes, which had to be moved to Aqueduct a few weeks later. Keep an eye out for updates on our social media accounts as the day goes on.
Thursday's lineup at Colonial seems like it won't face any weather hiccups as the excessive heat warning wraps up on Wednesday. The races are set to go ahead in comfy mid-80s temperatures. The card features a Maiden Special Weight race over 2 and a quarter miles and 2 Ratings Handicaps.
If you were following the events at Colonial Downs last week, you may have noticed some neat modifications. Now, you can bet on all steeplechase races, including an All-Jump Race Pick 3, and they've revamped the winners' presentation as well. Winners now enjoy their moment in the spotlight in front of the grandstands, moving away from the old "shed" tradition at the backstretch. Onward!
Best, Steve
Saratoga:
Steinman Winner L'Imperator Looks to Add A.P. Smithwick
L'Imperator (No. 1) clears a fence en route to winning the Beverly R. Steinman Hurdle Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack
The Smithwick is the first steeplechase event of the Saratoga meet.
Hudson River Farms' newly-minted Grade 1-winner L'Imperator will look to earn his second consecutive top-level victory in Wednesday's Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial, a 2 3/8-mile steeplechase handicap for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Arch Kingsley, Jr., L'Imperator contests the Smithwick in the first steeplechase event of the Saratoga meet, which will also feature the Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard Memorial on August 14 and a pair of novice stakes in the Jonathan Kiser Memorial on July 31 and the Michael G. Walsh Memorial on August 28.
Kingsley, Jr. said it is special to display the best of steeplechase racing on Saratoga's summer stage.
"I love that New York and Saratoga showcases the talent and skills of steeplechasers," said Kingsley, Jr. "This is what the real warhorses of the game look like. Thank you to NYRA for giving us these opportunities."
L'Imperator, a Grade 2-winner on the flat, became a Grade 1-winner last out with a strong showing in the inaugural 2 3/8-mile Beverly R. Steinman, which was originally slated for June 9 at Saratoga but was rescheduled to June 20 at Belmont at the Big A due to rain.
Read the full article at Bloodhorse.com
Summer Racing:
Saratoga Entries (Wednesday 17th)
Entries for Wednesday's Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial, a 2 3/8-mile steeplechase handicap for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course.
Colonial Downs Entries (Thursday 18th)
Legends - A.P. Smithwick:
A.P. Smithwick Was A Gentleman And A Champion
Paddy Smithwick could ride and train any horse to jump and gallop, and he won 398 races over his career. Photo by Thomas Neil Darling.
When a light suddenly goes out, it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. When Alfred Patrick “Paddy” Smithwick passed away on Nov. 14, 1973, at the tender age of 46, the steeplechasing world lost one of its brightest stars.
Born in 1927, Smithwick began his career as an amateur in 1945 at the age of 19. He quickly climbed into the professional ranks in 1946, and by 1947 he finished 10th in the National Steeplechase and Hunt standings after winning seven races that year.
Read the full article at chronofhorse.com
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