Historic Heart digs in for G1 A.P. Smithwick triumph

Atlantic Friends Racing’s Historic Heart fended off the challenge of Grade 1-winner Proven Innocent to notch his first top-level triumph in Wednesday’s Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial, a 2 3/8-mile hurdle handicap for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Keri Brion, the 8-year-old Fracas gelding made just his second start off a nearly two-year layoff, which ended with a return in an April 20 allowance at Morven Park where he stumbled and lost the rider. Nevertheless, Historic Heart returned with aplomb to avenge a runner-up effort in this event in 2023 in his last start before the extended respite.

"That was special. We've always loved him,” said Brion, who won this event in 2021 with Baltimore Bucko. “We've always thought he was a top-class horse. Obviously, it's been not easy getting here. He had some issues and the owners were always very patient and good about it. He ran in an apprentice race in April just to get a run and it was fine, but the rider fell off of him two from home. That kept us out of the first Grade 1 here because he had to work off of a list because it looked like did not finish and hadn't run in two years - just clerical. No big deal, but it kept us out of that run, so he came here essentially off almost two years off. He's been training so good and he just has so much heart and he always had. I knew that if he got in a battle, he'd be tough to get by just off of pure will and he proved that today.”

Ridden to victory by Danny Mullins, Historic Heart tracked in second through the first lap as the Brion-trained Kitten Around opened up to set the tempo under Freddie Procter with a gap back to Historic Heart and Proven Innocent, last-out winner of the Grade 1 Beverly R. Steinman on June 4 here, biding his time in seventh.

The running order remained largely unchanged after one trip around the firm inner turf course before Mullins made his move approaching the final turn. Jamie Bargary attempted to angle Proven Innocent widest of all for his bid before a gap opened between rivals at the head of the lane and the grey gelding was able to split foes to take dead aim at the new leader Historic Heart.

Kitten Around threw in the towel as Historic Heart and Proven Innocent drew off from the rest of the field and engaged in a thrilling stretch duel with both horses refusing to give an inch, but Historic Heart dug in to keep his head down and scored by a nose in a final time of 4:37.46.

Zarak the Brave, carrying a field-high 158 pounds, finished another 5 1/4 lengths back in third with Who’s Counting, the Brion-trained Jimmy P, Awakened, Howyabud and Kitten Around completing the order of finish.

Mullins, who was also aboard for Historic Heart’s runner-up effort to Belfast Banter in the 2023 Smithwick, said Historic Heart had plenty in reserve for the fight down the lane.

“He really ran a good race last time here and a good horse beat us. Where today, maybe the tactics of the race worked out beautifully for me, true to the race,” Mullins said. “I wasn’t sure whether I was going to get left alone out front, but I was able to follow one [Kitten Around] and move up with good jumps and not use petrol, where sometimes you're not jumping good and using petrol, it runs out late.”

The win marked the first at the Spa for Mullins, a multiple Group 1-winning rider in Europe.

“Ah, it’s my first Saratoga winner and a Grade 1 race [here], it’s extra special," Mullins said. "I’m one of very few jump jockeys that gets to travel around the world and ride in all these good races, so to deliver for the owners that put the faith in me and the trainers that produce the horses, all the teams at home - that day is about them, I’m here smiling but it’s all about the back team that makes it happen.”

Brion gave credit to owner Atlantic Friends Racing and their patience in getting Historic Heart back to the races.

"These owners are the best in the game. You see how enthusiastic they are - they've been so patient and so great about it,” Brion said. “They deserve this today. It's what horse racing is all about - doing right by the horses and them rewarding you.”

Bred in Ireland by J.S. Bolger, Historic Heart notched his sixth career victory in 24 starts, adding to a previous pair of hurdle stakes scores in 2021 and 2022. He banked $90,000 in victory while returning $23.20 on a $2 win wager.

Live racing resumes Thursday at Saratoga with a 10-race card, featuring the $135,000 Listed Curlin presented by Casamigos in Race 9. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.