Saratoga Summer Steeplechasing Superthread! Hunt Ball!

[Miss Woodford]

Y’all can stop ignoring this thread once again because this Thursday is the New York Turf Writers’ Cup.

Saratoga – Thursday, August 22, 2013
Race 1 – 1:00 PM Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3 Races (1-3), Daily Double Wagers
STAKES

New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase H. (Grade I)
Purse $150,000. A Steeplechase Handicap For Four Year Olds And Upward. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. Closed Saturday, August 10, 2013, with 11 Nominations. Two And Three Eighth Miles. (Turf)
P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 4

Italian Wedding (FL)

8/G L B Dalton 146 J E Sheppard 7/5
1A 7

Divine Fortune (PA)

10/G L S McDermott 150 J E Sheppard 7/5
1X 9

Martini Brother (KY)

5/G L D Nagle 144 J E Sheppard 7/5
2 1

Spy in the Sky (KY)

9/G L D Hodsdon 148 J M Day 15/1
3 2

Mr. Hot Stuff (KY)

7/G L P Young 148 J O Fisher 7/2
4 3

All Together (KY)

8/G L X Aizpuru 138 J O Fisher 8/1
5 5

Hunt Ball (IRE)

8/G R Geraghty 148 J E Sheppard 12/1
6 6

Demonstrative (KY)

6/G L R Walsh 158 R L Valentine 5/2
7 8

Brave Prospect (KY)

6/G L D Crosse 138 J O Fisher 20/1
A – Coupled Entries – 1 – Italian Wedding, 1A – Divine Fortune, 1X – Martini Brother

You will notice that of the 9 horses, 4 are trained by Jonathan Sheppard (3 of them also owned by him) and 3 are trained by Jack Fisher. American jumps racing is a small, small world.

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place finishers in the A. P. Smithwick are back for this race, along with the scratched favorite Demonstrative. The others are Martini Brother, winner of the Jonathan Kiser Novice, and All Together, who won the allowance race on the Smithwick card and finished 5th in the NYTWC last year.

Obviously most bettors are going to go for the "tripled" Sheppard entry since it’s three horses for the price of one. With Sheppard’s amazing record this meet, that’s probably a good idea Mr. Hot Stuff had a very easy time of it in the Smithwick, he got a dream trip and no Demonstrative to contend with, and he’s got a tougher task here. Demonstrative is the co-favorite on the morning line but I don’t think he’ll get nearly as much play as he did three weeks ago; he’s had an awfully long time off and hasn’t had a run on the course this season. Plus this race is a handicap and he’s got the highweight.

Hunt Ball has been pointed to this race all along; it’s 2 3/8 miles and he’s got a run over the course so he should do much better. Sheppard horses tend not to run badly twice in a row. So you can take one more shot at betting on him and if he wins you’ll get a tidy profit.

ATR should hopefully show the New York Turf Writers live, and if not there’s radio on the NTRA website and race replay shortly after the results are official. I hope you all watch, no matter who wins it’ll be a fantastic race.

[moehat]

I’m still listening Miss Woodford. Hope Hunt Ball runs well!

[The Young Fella]

I hope Hunt Ball runs well too. It would be interesting to see where he is in relation to Mr Hot Stuff when they both run to their best.

[Miss Woodford]

ATR is showing a

recording

of the race at 8:30 GMT because apparently they’d rather show a Class 5 chase at Newton Abbot live

[Miss Woodford]

Brave Prospect is the rabbit for Jack Fisher (and Hunt Ball?), doing his job. Mr. Hot Stuff very keen to go, tugging a bit.

[Miss Woodford]

Hunt Ball jumping well and looking much more settled than he was three weeks ago. Now in 3rd.

[Miss Woodford]

Italian Wedding wins (14th NYTWC for Jonathan Sheppard). Mr. Hot Stuff’s early eagerness hurt him in the last 1/2 mile. Hunt Ball ran out of steam in the stretch, finished 8th. Demonstrative never really a factor.

Basically the rabbit strategy hurt everyone here. Except Sheppard since he trains half the field. All horses got round safe and sound, though.

All Together 2nd, Martini Brother 3rd, Mr. Hot Stuff 4th.

[The Young Fella]

Maybe Hunt Ball would benefit from a break, Miss Woodford.

He was busy all through the winter and spring over here, including on unsuitable ground over distances which stretched his stamina too far. Now he has made the long trip to America too.

Keep the faith and maybe he’ll be a superpower next year.

[Coggy]

Connections have apparently told Attheraces that he doesn’t like the firm ground and the tight turns on tracks over in the U.S.A.

[Author]

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