Iranistan looks to take next step in G1 New York Turf Writers Cup steeplechase contest

by Brian Bohl

After running a close second in his graded stakes debut last out, Hudson River Farms' Iranistan will look to build on that effort as part of a veteran nine-horse field in the 77th running of the Grade 1, $175,000 New York Turf Writers Cup in the opening race on Thursday's card at Saratoga Race Course.

The last of the steeplechase stakes races at the Saratoga summer meet, the New York Turf Writers Cup, contested at 2 3/8 miles, will feature Iranistan, who finished one length behind fellow contender Show Court in the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap on July 30 at the Spa.

After winning a flat turf race at 1 ½ miles on July 4 at Delaware Park, Iranistan made his graded stakes debut in the 2 1/16-mile Smithwick, where he was forwardly placed in stalking Personal Start before dueling with Show Court until the wire.

The youngest horse in the field by two years, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred, who is 3-1 on the morning line, drew post 3 with jockey Darren Nagle having the return call.

"We have to keep in mind that he's just a 4-year-old and he's running against top older horses, but I thought he acquitted himself well in the Smithwick," said trainer Jonathan Sheppard. "We were very pleased with his effort, and I think he should be competitive again. We think that the extra distance might be to his advantage, too. He has a lot of stamina and a high-cruising speed. He's quick with his senses, but he probably lacks the acceleration to beat the real top horses at the shorter distances."

Sheppard's other entrant, All the Way Jose, ran fifth in the Smithwick and will be making his third consecutive Grade 1 start. The 8-year-old, who Sheppard breds, finished third in last year's Turf Writers Cup and has won a Grade 1 in New York, winning the Lonesome Glory Handicap in September at Belmont Park.

"He's actually doing great, he's a barn favorite and a homebred we've had since he was a foal," Sheppard said. "He's been a very nice horse for us and won a Grade 1 at Belmont last fall. I think he's coming up to the race well."

All the Way Jose will break from post 7 at odds of 20-1. Jack Doyle will ride.

Clarcam arrives from Europe with high expectations for trainer Gordon Elliott, winning 10-of-47 career starts racing predominantly in Ireland and Great Britain. The 7-year-old French bred won the Galway Plate on August 1 in Ireland and will make his North American debut as the 2-1 favorite. David Russell will ride from the outside post.

Show Court won his first graded stakes in his 33rd career start in the Smethwick, staying off the pace before rallying in the final, flat portion of the race. Trainer Arch Kingsley, Jr. will be looking to win his third career New York Turf Writers Cup and first since 2000, with Show Court drawing post 4 at 4-1. Michael Mitchell will be in the irons.

Rounding out the field is Optimus Prime, a French bed making his first North American start, for trainer Richard Hendricks from post 2; The Game Changer, also trained by Gordon, from post 5; Overwhelming, two entries for trainer Jack Fisher, Overwhelming and New Member, from posts 1 and 6, respectively; and Personal Start, trained by Richard Valentine, from post 8.