'Jump' Newsletter - Edition 4 (July 25th, 2023)
'Jump' Newsletter - Edition 4 (July 25th, 2023)
'Jump' is committed to providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date news coverage of steeplechasing around the USA.
Welcome to the fourth edition of 'Jump.'
It's been a wild ride over the last three weeks with a tour that took me from Fair Hill, Maryland to Cozumel, Mexico and finally Saratoga, New York, and along the way, an unwelcome bout of Montezuma’s Revenge (Indeed, the gift that keeps on giving!) which led to an unplanned detour to the Urgent Care Ward and a not unwelcome 8 lbs weight loss in just a week. Now, I’m finally back on home turf in Connecticut for the foreseeable future, any additional trips will be restricted to those within a one-day, 6-hour drive - a notion my wife amusingly labels as ‘madness.’
As the heat of summer sets in, we're also finding our groove in the racing calendar. Our horses are preparing for their races at Colonial on Fridays and the much-anticipated race of the week at Saratoga on Wednesdays.
The dedication and passion of our trainers, jockeys, and grooms never cease to amaze me. They willingly undertake the 1030-mile round trip from Virginia to Saratoga weekly, their love for the sport fueling them through the lengthy journey. Their commitment extends far beyond the racetrack, with countless hours spent caring for our horses, ensuring they’re in peak condition for every race. It's a labor of love in its purest form.
Riders up!
Steve Coxon - USASteeplechase
In Case You Missed It: This Week's Top 5 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Colonial Downs Review
NSA Standings - Naylor and Foley Rise to the Top!
Under Starter's Orders: Your Guide to Saratoga's Wednesday Race
Dream trip: TGSF-sponsored training holiday sends American ‘chasing youth to Ireland’s top yards
Feature Race Meet - The Steeplechase of Charleston - Feel the Excitement: A Beginner’s Guide to Steeplechase Racing by Ryan Biddix
Colonial Downs Review
“Bear” roars in handicap, giving Dunne first NSA win
By Tod Marks
Go Poke the Bear, owned by a syndicate of the same name, went wire to wire in today's $35,000 handicap for horses rated at 115 or less at 2 1/4 miles at Colonial Downs. Ridden by visiting Irishman Robbie Dunne, a veteran of nearly 1,000 mounts, Go Poke the Bear took the lead at the break and never relinquished it. Going up the backside the first time, the field of seven was spread out by as much as 15 lengths, with William Russell's Seismic Wave and Beverly Steinman's Hooroo sitting in second and third. Go Poke the Bear continued to lead the second time around the course, with little change in position in the field of seven. Racing up the backside, Go Poke the Bear, trained by Leslie Young, remained unchallenged, but with about five furlongs to go, Nancy Reed's Bright Eyed Eagle, with Gerard Galligan, mounted a serious threat, drawing within a length of the leader. From there, the duo scooted clear into the turn, and it looked as if Bright Eyed Eagle would swoop past on the outside. But Go Poke the Bear refused to be passed, pulling clear in the final furlong by 3. 3/4 lengths. Seismic Wave was third. The victory was the first on the NSA circuit for Dunne, who began riding at Colonial Downs last week and was at Saratoga for the A.P. Smithwick earlier this week.
File photo of Go Poke the Bear.
Triton Rise scores for Foley and Fout in career debut
By Tod Marks
Rolling Tide's Triton Rise, a four-year-old Irish-bred son of Westerner, made his race debut a winning one, coming off the pace in mid-stretch to score by three lengths over James Stainbrook, Vincent Bonanni, and Pathfinder Racing's Dante's Fire in today's $40,000 maiden special weights opener at Colonial Downs. The victory comes two days after veteran National Steeplechase Association reinsman Barry Foley earned his first Grade 1, in the AP Smithwick at Saratoga. With these two latest wins, Foley has drawn even with Harry Beswick in the 2023 jockey standings, with nine scores. With a full field of 10 going postward, Covin Ryan's Thaleeq, under Gerard Galligan, grabbed the lead and held it for most of the 2 1/4 mile contest, as Triton Rise and Alexander Fulton's Reassured (Parker Hendriks) sat in close pursuit. Turning into the stretch with about three-sixteenths of a mile remaining, the field began to bunch up, and Foley nudged Triton Rise, who responded on the outside, drawing clear and moving toward the rail to score handily for trainer Doug Fout. Reassured ran well for third.
Naylor and Foley Rise to the Top!
"A Thrilling Start to the Summer Jump Season: Spotlight on Irv Naylor and Barry Foley"
As the summer jump season kicks off, two figures, Irv Naylor and Irish jockey Barry Foley have got off to a flying start.
Foley has three impressive wins to his name and his partnership with Irv Naylor has landed them a double, including the coveted $150,000 AP Smithwick. These achievements have catapulted both Naylor and Foley to the top of their respective standings.
However, it's a tight race at the top for Foley, who currently shares the leading position with another exceptional talent, Harrison Beswick. The competition for the jockey title couldn't be more intense, with Foley, Beswick, and Watters only separated by a single win.
Interestingly, Watters, who had been sidelined due to an injury late in the spring season, is set to make a comeback. He has been scheduled to ride Jack Fisher's Beat le Bon at Saratoga on Wednesday, marking his return to the field.
Under Starter's Orders: Your Guide to Saratoga's Wednesday Race
We've got a fascinating race on our hands this Wednesday at Saratoga. Eight runners are set to compete in the $70,000 allowance race, open to four-year-olds and upward who have never won two races.
The favorite is likely to be Michael Smith’s Hoffman, an up-and-comer from the powerful Leslie Young stable, he ran a monster race last time out winning the Speedy Smithwick Memorial by a whopping 20 lengths, jumping fluidly and leading by as many as 60 lengths at one point, and coasting to the wire by 20. But upon a review of the videotapes, the stewards confirmed that Hoffman, under David England, had missed a beacon, and thus awarded the victory to McTigue. Watch Here - The barn recently celebrated a win at Colonial Downs, so if Hoffman repeats that front-running performance, he'll be tough to beat.
One to keep an eye on is L'Imperator (FR). He was last seen running on the flat in the Grade 2, Belmont Gold Cup, but his last hurdle race was a winning one. Watch Here He narrowly defeated Geordie Dreamer at Iroquois, hinting at his jumping potential. Given that Arch Kingsley usually performs well in these summer meets, L'Imperator (FR) is definitely a horse to watch.
But don't rule out Salvino (Ire). He recently took on Grade 1 company and performed admirably. Now, he's dropping in clas, the blinkers are coming off and Owner Mad Kerrigan is certainly optimistic about his chances - Watch here on Facebook
Good Luck!
Dream trip: TGSF-sponsored training holiday sends American ‘chasing youth to Ireland’s top yards
Their only job next week is to learn, to soak up as much insider info about steeplechase as they can. It’s the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance, and these three can pay back U.S. jump racing in kind.
Three young riders on the U.S. steeplechase scene are headed to Ireland July 22-Aug. 1 for a week of hands-on learning from the sport’s top trainers and horsemen. The idea, trip leader, and ersatz den mother, Regina Welsh says, is that by exposing young American horsemen and women to how the world’s best get it done in the literal cradle of steeplechasing, the domestic circuit gains a load of enrichment from a boots-on-the-ground level.
Read more from Betsy Burke Parker HERE.
Feel the Excitement: A Beginner’s Guide to Steeplechase Racing
by Ryan Biddix
The Steeplechase of Charleston, the Lowcountry’s premiere horse racing event, offers the perfect opportunity to embark on a mesmerizing journey into the world of equestrian sport. If you’re new to horse racing or this is your first time attending, fear not! From the preparation of the jockeys to the careful navigation of obstacles, we will be your guide, exploring the different parts that make up Steeplechase racing.
The Venue
(Stono Ferry Owners Association)
Imagine stepping onto the grounds of Stono Ferry Racetrack, where nature’s splendor becomes an integral part of the racing experience. The venue is nestled amidst the breathtaking countryside, offering a picturesque backdrop of live oak trees and verdant green fields. As you take in the new surroundings, you’ll notice the strategically placed obstacles that blend seamlessly with the idyllic landscape, enhancing the challenge and visual appeal of the racecourse.
The Horses
(Gavin McIntyre/Staff, 2022)
Prepare to be star-struck by the true celebrities of Steeplechase racing—the horses. These magnificent creatures display strength, grace, and elegance as they gallop with unwavering determination through the racetrack. The Thoroughbred, renowned for its speed, and the Irish Sport Horse, prized for its jumping prowess, are among the breeds commonly seen in Steeplechase events.
Read the rest of the Facebook article here
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Check back on Saturday for more USA Steeplechase news and insights!
Steve
@USASteeplechase - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram