'Jump' Newsletter - Edition 10
'Jump' Newsletter - Edition 10
"Thomas Garner plans to retire from steeplechase riding at the end of the year. Wednesday, at Saratoga, he gave himself quite the going-away present by guiding Awakened to a one-length victory"
Welcome to the tenth edition of 'Jump.'
Three of the five Grade 1's are done and dusted, but the Eclipse Award? Still anyone's game.
Awakened, owned by Riverdee Stables and Ten Strike Racing, trained by Jack Fisher, blew everyone away in the Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard. Leaving big names like Noah and The Ark in the dust.
Three Grade 1’s in the books and three different winners.
This year's Eclipse voting could be just like last year's movie. Remember Shark Hanlon and Hewick? Flew in, won the American Grand National, hit the pub, and checked out. Game, set, match!
Next, we look forward to the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory at Aqueduct on September 14th.
Riders up
Steve Coxon - USASteeplechase
In Case You Missed It: This Week's Top 5 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Wednesday Review - Awakened lands Garner the perfect send-off in Jonathan Sheppard
Friday Review - Master McGrath Claims Maiden Hurdle, Securing Double Victory for Harrison Beswick
Saratoga - The New York Turf Writers Cup. The Turf Writers.
Standings - Jack Fisher Takes the Lead in Trainers' Title Race for Purse Money won
Wednesday Preview - Arch Kingsley's Duo to Watch in Saratoga's Summer Finale
“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)
Wednesday Review - Saratoga
Awakened lands Garner the perfect send-off in Jonathan Sheppard
By David Grening
Photo - Skip Dickstein Special to the Times Union
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Thomas Garner plans to retire from steeplechase riding at the end of the year. Wednesday, at Saratoga, he gave himself quite the going-away present by guiding Awakened to a one-length victory in the Grade 1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard Steeplechase Stakes at Saratoga.
Awakened, trained by Jack Fisher, was coming out of a runner-up finish to McTigue in the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes here Aug. 2. Garner said that 2 1/16-miles race was too short for Awakened, a 6-year-old gelding by Curlin who had previously run on the flats for trainer Shug McGaughey.
“When he ran in the novice, the trip was a bit short and he couldn’t keep going like he did,” Garner said. “This trip, he ran on and he ran all the way to the line and he probably could have gone on another half-mile. Jack, and the team at King Fisher Farm have done an amazing job. Winning the Jonathan Sheppard was nice because Jonathan gave me my first Grade 1 winner on Winston C.
Friday Review - Colonial Downs
Rocket One Blasts Off to Win at Colonial Downs
By Virginia Horse Racing
Jack Fisher's Rocket One reached the winner’s circle today at Colonial Downs for the first time since switching over to jumps three starts ago! The 4-year-old Into Mischief gelding started his career with ten starts on the flat and, since switching, has a pair of seconds and, of course, today's win. Thomas Garner rode for co-owners Riverdee Stable and Ten Strike Racing.
Photo Credit - Virginia Horse Racing (Facebook)
Neil Morris's Dante's Fire Ignites at Colonial Downs
Neil Morris's Dante's Fire won the second of three non-betting steeplechase races today at Colonial Downs! The 6-year-old Temple City gelding was best in a $30,000 maiden starter allowance and, in winning, pushed his career bankroll over the $190,000 mark. Dante's Fire is owned by James Stainbrook, Vincent Bonanni and PathFinder Racing.
Master McGrath Claims Maiden Hurdle, Securing Double Victory for Harrison Beswick
Richard Valentine's Master McGrath and rider Harrison Beswick who captured the final non-betting steeplechase race at Colonial Downs on Friday! The 5-year-old Vancouver gelding won his first jump race in three tries - which followed ten starts on the flat. Park Stud, Inc owns the winner.
Steeplechase racing will take a break next Friday and then return on the final Friday of Colonial's summer meet, September 8.
The New York Turf Writers Cup. The Turf Writers.
By Sean Clancy
“That’s how we knew it. The iconic Saratoga steeplechase, the one you wanted to win, the one you needed to win. Just to feel like you belonged. To justify the crazy decision you made to become a jump jockey so many jumps, so many lumps ago”
Read more below…..
The full article can be found by visiting This is Horse Racing
News - Jack Fisher Takes the Lead in Trainers' Title Race for Purse Money Won
By USASteeplechase
Hall of Fame inductee Jack Fisher has once again demonstrated why he is one of the most respected figures in horse racing. With his two victories this week, he now claims the top spot in the trainers' title for purse money won.
Fisher's journey to this milestone began with a triumphant win at the prestigious $150,000 Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard. Not one to rest on his laurels, he secured another victory in the opener at Colonial Downs this past Friday.
These back-to-back wins have propelled Fisher ahead in the earnings leaderboard, placing him $60,000 and some change above Leslie Young. Young still holds a strong position in the races won category, with ten more victories than Fisher.
To be continued!
Arch Kingsley's Duo to Watch in Saratoga's Summer Finale
By USASteeplechase
As the summer racing season draws to a close, all eyes are on the final hurdle race at Saratoga, slated for Wednesday, August 30th. This event looks wide open, with eight entrants vying for victory in the $70,000 Allowance race. The competition is open to 4-year-olds and up who have not won a race other than a maiden, claiming, or ratings 115 or lower.
Arch Kingsley, enjoying a successful summer meet, brings two formidable contenders into the mix. Cibolian, who placed fifth in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup (on the flat) before securing a maiden win at Colonial Downs, looks very dangerous. His stablemate, Barbados (Ire), also a participant in the G2, was last seen putting up a strong fight in the Jonathan Kiser Novice stakes at Saratoga, finishing fourth behind McTigue and Grade 1 winner Awakened; it is also worth noting that star, Irish Jockey, Danny Mullins has been booked for the ride.
This promises to be an intriguing finale at Saratoga. Stay Tuned!
Check back next Sunday for more USA Steeplechase news and insights!
Steve
@USASteeplechase - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram