Choral Society Upsets A. P. Smithwick Field
Image:
Description:
For the second time in three years, trainer Jack Fisher and jockey Paddy Young teamed to win the $125,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 6, this time bringing home 16-1 shot Choral Society.
Petticoats Loose Farm's Choral Society raced in fifth through most of the race, while rating well, before responding when asked by Young entering the stretch. Choral Society completed the 2 1/16-mile steeplechase in 3:51.77 to win by 1 1/4 lengths over runner-up Martini Brother. Demonstrative, the 1-2 favorite, finished third.
Last year's champion steeplechaser Demonstrative, who entered off two straight wins including a narrow decision in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle Stakes at Percy Warner Park, was outfinished late in settling for third.
Two years ago, Fisher and Young teamed to win the A. P. Smithwick with Gillian Johnston's Mr. Hot Stuff. Choral Society carried 142 pounds compared with Demonstrative's 158.
"I knew we'd get the pace and we were getting the weight," Fisher said. "Sixteen pounds is a lot. The thing with him is, he relaxes. They get better with age, because their jumping gets better. They get more efficient."
Choral Society, a 6-year-old son of Holy Bull—Star Singer, by Awesome Again , earned his first stakes placing in his previous start, when third in a steeplechase race at Percy Warner.