Optimus Prime Wins NY Turf Writers in First U.S. Start
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Optimus Prime gallops to the lead in the New York Turf Writers Cup at Saratoga Race Course
While Irish invaders Clarcam and The Game Changer were making their American debuts for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott, a third contender was also making his first U.S. start in Saratoga Race Course's New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap (NSA-1) Aug. 23.
Optimus Prime, purchased with Saratoga's signature steeplechase race in mind, surged to the lead in the stretch and scored a surprisingly easy 1 1/4-length victory over a late-running New Member. The 9-5 favorite, Hudson River Farms' Iranistan, tired to finish third, 3 1/4 lengths farther back, and A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Handicap (NSA-1) winner Show Court was fourth in a field of eight.
Somewhat overlooked at 7-1, Optimus Prime ran the New York Turf Writers' 2 3/8 miles in 4:31.83 on firm turf.
The win was the second of the week for trainer Ricky Hendriks and jockey Ross Geraghty, who collected his 100th American victory after a successful career in his native Ireland. A day earlier, they won the Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes with Surprising Soul, owned by Wendy Hendriks, the trainer's mother.
A three-time winner in English steeplechase novice races over the 2017-18 National Hunt season for trainer Dan Skelton, Optimus Prime last raced in May and was turned out. The 6-year-old gelding arrived in Ricky Hendriks' Pennsylvania barn in mid-June, giving the trainer exactly 54 days to get him race-ready.
"We had a schedule," Hendriks said. "We worked seven days a week with this horse." Riding him every day was assistant trainer Eve Ledyard.
The work paid off. Hendriks tested him in company with Surprising Soul, and Optimus Prime outworked him. "He has demolished all the horses we have at home," said Hendriks, who moved into the lead of the National Steeplechase Association trainer standings with 12 wins.
The book on Optimus Prime was that he had good speed and jumped well, but he might be a bit overeager in his first start off a break. As it turned out, Optimus Prime was a perfect gentleman for Geraghty, who placed him on a long rein right behind pacesetters Iranistan and Clarcam.
Ridden by Lisa O'Neill, Clarcam lost all chance when he stumbled over the third to last fence, in front of Saratoga's clubhouse on the last circuit of the inner turf course. O'Neill, who rides regularly for Elliott, lost an iron but managed to stay on and got Clarcam back in the race. He finished seventh, well ahead of The Game Changer.
Left alone on the lead, Iranistan led by a length at the last fence, but Geraghty had Optimus Prime where he wanted him for the long run to the finish line. They gained the lead before the furlong pole and maintained the advantage to the line.
Hendriks said Optimus Prime's next target most likely will be the Sept. 20 Lonesome Glory Handicap (NSA-1) at Belmont Park.