Bob Le Beau / NYRA Photo

Bob Le Beau wins G1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial with late rally

by Karen M. Johnson

The Fields Stable's Bob Le Beau, content to lag behind the field for much of the 2 1/16-mile steeplechase event, closed with a rush to capture the Grade 1, $125,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial at Saratoga Race Course Thursday.

The 20th running of the Smithwick featured eight jumps. Longshot Portrade led the way through the first seven jumps before being overtaken leaving fence No. 7 by the 19-1 Balance the Budget. Balance the Budget and jockey Mark Watts came away with the lead, but a calvary charge of jumpers bore down on them in the stretch. 

Bob Le Beau, who was ridden by Jack Doyle, was running the fastest of all, and won by one length over Scorpiancer, who also employed late-running tactics to pick up his piece of the Smithwick purse. Pacesetter Portrade held on for third in the 10-horse field of jumpers. 

The Elizabeth Voss-trained Bob Le Beau, the 158-pound highweight, prepped for the Smithwick, a race he finished fourth in last year, by winning a flat race on the turf at Parx July 10. The Smithwick was his first hurdle race since last November. 

Voss said the subtraction this year of the last fence in the stretch of steeplechase races is a boon for Bob Le Beau. 

"It makes a big difference with him in a longer race," Voss said. "He doesn't like the longer distances but without that last jump, he was able to get up and get the win. I was surprised he was that far back, I was telling Jack, 'You scared me there,' but I know he's got a huge kick. Carrying that weight, I was a little worried with that many lengths to make up, but it worked out. It was a great race." 

Doyle didn't experience the anxious moments that Voss did. 

"As long as he relaxes and settles, than the end of the race isn't a problem because he has so much in reserve," Doyle said. "He has so much speed when he gets going, you can point him and put him anywhere you want."

As the 4-5 favorite, Bob Le Beau returned $3.80 for a $2 win bet. The winner completed the distance in 3.51.20 over a firm course.