'Jump': Modern Science gets Neil Morris off to fast start, Pure courage romps, Exculpate continues Arch Kingsley's hot hand + The A.P.Smithwick Nominations.
'Jump': Modern Science gets Neil Morris off to fast start, Pure courage romps, Exculpate continues Arch Kingsley's hot hand + The A.P.Smithwick Nominations.
Friday July 12th, Edition #41
In Case You Missed It: This Weeks Top 5 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Summer Racing - Yesterday’s Results
Colonial Downs Race 1 - Modern Science gets Neil Morris off to fast start
Colonial Downs Race 2 - Pure courage romps in $55,000 allowance
Colonial Downs Race 3 - Exculpate continues Arch Kingsley's hot hand
Nominations - Saratoga July 17 and Colonial Downs July 18th
“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)
Summer Racing:
Yesterday’s Results
Colonial Downs:
Modern Science gets Neil Morris off to fast start
Photo Credit - Modern Science © Tod Marks
Modern Science gets Neil Morris off to fast start
Coming off of 21 starts on the flat, Slingshot Racing's Modern Science made his first NSA start a winning one with a commanding victory in the first summer steeplechase, a $50,000 maiden special weights event, at the New Kent, Va., course.
With NSA newcomer Conor O'Farrell aboard, the six-year-old son of Galileo raced in mid-pack in the field of 10 for the first mile of the 2 1/4-mile contest (the distance of all three hurdle races), moved up to fourth at the two-mile mark, overtook Moonshine Time in the stretch and drew clear by 5 1/2 lengths. Favored Ready for the Lady was third. The winner went off at 7-1.
Trainer Neil Morris, whose horses are always a threat at Colonial, captured five races at the track on the flat and over jumps last season.
Prior to today's score, Modern Science had earned a pair of victories along with nine seconds and thirds while competing at 10 tracks including Saratoga, Keeneland, Canterbury Park, and Presque Isle Downs. During that time, he also finished third in a pair of black type/listed stakes. His latest win gives the gelding nearly $200,000 in lifetime earnings.
Read the full article on Tod Marks Facebook
Colonial Downs:
Pure courage romps in $55,000 allowance
Photo Credit - © Tod Marks
Gill Johnston's Pure Courage, who broke his maiden last summer at Colonial Downs over the spectacular Abaan, returned to the scene of his previous triumph with another big score in today's non-winners-of-two allowance.
The win gave leading rider Graham Watters his 10th of the season, one more than Jamie Bargary. Todd Wyatt trained the winner. Irv Naylor's Travesuras was second.
Watters moved Pure Courage to the lead quickly, controlled the pace, and drew off powerfully by 13 lengths. The winner was sent off at 3-1.
Pure Courage, a six-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Declaration of War, has finished either first, second, or third in seven straight starts since May 2023.
Read the full article on Tod Marks Facebook
Colonial Downs:
Exculpate continues Arch Kingsley's hot hand
Owner-trainer Arch Kingsley, fresh off a Grade 1 score with L'Imperator in the Grade 1 Beverly Steinman stakes at Aqueduct, found the winners circle in today's $50,000 filly and mare maiden finale at Colonial with his Exculpate.
The four-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Blame was making her third NSA start, and first since finishing second to powerhouse Right Tempo in the Margaret Currey Henley stakes at the Iroquois Races in May.
Sent off at 5-1, Exculpate and jockey Bernie Dalton, went right for the lead and maintained their advantage throughout. Dalton had his hands full with his mount, who was pulling early and required strong handling. At the wire, the duo were three lengths ahead of
Love Forever. Favored Dark Pool was third.
For Dalton, who is having a spectacular season, it was his seventh victory of the year, putting him in third place in the standings.
Read the full article on Tod Marks Facebook
Nominations:
Saratoga - July 17th
Nominations are out for Wednesday's Grade 1 $150,000 A.P. Smithwick at Saratoga.
A field of seven led by recent G1 winner L'Imperator and up-and-coming novice sensation Abaan are expected for the prestigious handicap hurdle, which will be run as the first race on the July 17 card.
Hudson River Farm's L'Imperator, trained by Arch Kingsley and ridden by Jordan Gainford, beat a strong field in the G1 Beverly R. Steinman at Aqueduct on June 20, defeating a pair of G1 winners in Rampoldi Plan and Awakened in the process.
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Daigneault Thoroughbreds’ Abaan, trained by Kate Dalton and ridden by her husband, Bernie, has captured four of his five starts since making his steeplechase debut at Colonial Downs last summer. After finishing a close second in his maiden outing, the son of Travers winner Will Take Charge has reeled off four straight, including three novice stakes in electrifying style: the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle at Far Hills, the Carolina Cup at Springdale Race Course and, most recently, the Green Pastures at Percy Warner Park in Nashville in May.
Abaan was primed for the Steinman when it was scheduled for the Belmont Stakes Festival at the Spa, but didn't re-enter when weather forced the event to be rescheduled for June 20 at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. Both Abaan and L'Imperator were accomplished turf runners on the flat before switching to jumps, winning graded stakes. Abaan is the starting highweight at 158 pounds; L'Imperator carries 154 pounds.
Leading NSA trainer Leslie Young rolls out a first time U.S. starter in Leipers Fork Steeplechasers' Pickanumber (152 pounds). Ridden by Jamie Bargary, Rampoldi Plan earned his first G1, over L'Imperator, in the Commonwealth Cup at Great Meadow in May for the same connections. The six-year-old son of Shantou has taken four of his last five outings including a 15-length stunner in the Swinton Handicap on May 11 in Great Britain.
The other nominees are Bruton Street-US' Ziggle Pops (148 pounds), trained by Jack Fisher; Upland Flats Racing's Freddy Flintshire (146 pounds), trained by Keri Brion; and Upland Flats' West Newton (144 pounds) Ricky Hendriks; and Madaket Stables, Blue Streak Racing, and The International Venture's Going Country (140 pounds), also trained by Keri Brion.
More to come next week. You can read more about the race from the NYRA Press Office: https://www.nyra.com/.../limperator-goes-for-grade-1...
Colonial Downs - July 18th
Share the Love for Jump!
Are you a fan of Jump? Know someone else who might enjoy our content? Don't hesitate to share! We cover everything from jockey profiles to race recaps, offering something for every jump racing enthusiast.
Sharing is simple and helps us grow - allowing us to keep delivering the content you love. So, spread the word about Jump and help us build a community that celebrates the thrill of jump racing. Thank you for your support!
If you have any articles or topics to share, send us a link at usasteeplechase@gmail.com.
Check back on in a few weeks for more USA Steeplechase news and insights!
Steve
@USASteeplechase - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram