Trainer Fisher to Send out Majority of Iroquois Field

Jack Fisher, the National Steeplechase Association's champion trainer for the past seven years, has the $150,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois (NSA-G1) in his sights and within his grasp. 

The Maryland-based trainer has four of the six entrants in the three-mile hurdle classic, and, if betting were conducted at the May 11 Iroquois Steeplechase at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, he would have the four top picks. 

Three members of Fisher's team are owned by Bruton Street-US, the NSA's top owner in 2017 on the strength of two champions, both of whom are due to line up for the Calvin Houghland Iroquois.

Scorpiancer sealed his 2017 Eclipse Award with a 16-length score in the race. He didn't start the remainder of the year, missed 2018, and came back last month with a suspect effort in the Temple Gwathmey Handicap (NSA-G2), in which he was pulled up.

Fisher, however, took home much of the Temple Gwathmey $75,000 purse money when 2017 novice champion Moscato roared to the lead after the last and won by 3 1/2 lengths. Bruton Street-US's Jaleo finished third in the race at Middleburg, Va.

Fisher's fourth Iroquois entrant is Riverdee Stable's Gibralfaro, who opened his season with a solid victory in the $100,000 Queen's Cup MPC 'Chase for novices on April 27 in suburban Charlotte.

Completing the field and looking to break up the Fisher superfecta is Buttonwood Farm's All the Way Jose, who finished fourth in the Temple Gwathmey, and Wendy Hendriks' Surprising Soul, who will be attempting a surprise after a lackluster effort in the Carolina Cup Handicap on March 30.