AP Smithwick at Saratoga
 

Can anyone tell me what the ground is like at Saratoga at present? A very useful Irish hurdler/chaser called Salford City runs in the first there today. Gordon Elliott is a very good young trainer and Paul Carberry is one of the top 3 jockeys in the world. He thrives on firm ground and, for all I don't know anything about the opposition, is well worth looking out for, this race being used as a prep for a bigger race there later in the month, the name of which escapes me. There must be a chance he'll outclass them today, though.

It was listed as Firm on Wednesday.. and I don't think it's rained there since.. so it's probably still Firm as of now. (however, that could change by posttime!)

Harry..

It's been damp/dewy here but they called the turf firm yesterday. Showers possible later this afternoon but the Smithwick goes as the opene so Salford City should find the going pleasurable.

The Smithwick is the local prep for the Gr. I New York Turf Writers Cup later in the meet. The fact that Carberry visits for a tour of the National Fences Course is telling as you suggest. I understand from the NSA folks here that he is a good a jump rider as there is in the world. The Irish bred may indeed lay over these on class. There is a mare in here (#2 Guelph) that will try to wire them.

Steve,

Salford City is invariably ridden to make all, so I guess there's a chance they could cut each other's throats. Interesting to see that Padge Whelan rides Guelph. He was a fair rider over here and can't have been in the US for that long; any idea how he's getting on?

Do you know if it's possible to see the race anywhere on the net...I believe one of our racing channels is going to show it, but not live.

Thanks guys.

Ya gotta stop.

Thats funny.

Hwjb,

This looks to be an excellent race.

Padge Whelan has done well here. His 20 mounts have yielded 6 wins, 5 seconds and 1 third. I had the chance to watch him ride at a few of the "country" meets. He is a welcomed addition to the "jumps" rider colony here.

Useless factoid-Carberry is the married into the Smithwick family...

Anyone participating in a steeplechase thread should be suspended for a week. I guess that includes me now.

I like High Action in this race, first race back off two year layoff was ultra sharp, won under wraps. Has some backclass here and looks like another European horse that like the firm going rather than the soft turf overseas. Should stalk and make a good run to the wire.

Would appreciate it if someone could post the result after the race, as I've nowhere to see it live.

Cheers.

It'll be fascinating to see it when I finally can!

Glad Padge is doing well. He rode a horse we had a couple of seasons ago and always did a sound job. How many jumps meets are there on average over there?

Nice pick Kgar. What's funny is Andy picked this one as well while saying he did not know what he was talking about.

Spyder

High Action
Dark Equation
Salford City

Thanks a lot.

I'll post my thoughts when I get a chance to see it!

Result:
1st - High Action
2nd - Dark Equation
3rd - Salford City

Salford City made all and led over the last. High Action caught him in the run-in, which is about 1/8th of a mile.

Wow - Salford City has an absolutely beautiful flowing jump to him! Very impressive. Lead easily throughout, really, he just tired at the end, his only slightly rough fence his last. High Action sat behind the pace, then accelerated through the inside to take it after the last fence.

19 country meets in the Spring and 12 in the Fall.

During the Summer the NSA (National Steeplechase Association) arranges races at various flat tracks. This year the following tracks hosted/will host races:

Saratoga - 11
Colonial Downs - 8
Philadelphia Park - 3
Kentucky Downs - 2

Last year Belmont Park and the Meadowlands each had a race.

There are many other jump only meets around the country.