Chris Rahayel Photo

Swansea Mile comes off the pace to win G1 A.P. Smithwick Memorial

by Anthony Affrunti

Neither rain nor nine other foes could deter Rosbrian Farm's Swansea Mile, who topped runner-up Modem for a two-length win in the 21st running of Grade 1, $150,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.

Jockey Michael Mitchell picked up his second steeplechase victory at the Spa in as many days, leading the 7-year-old gelding to the finish line over the hurdles on the inner turf, completing approximately 2 1/16 miles in 3:48.37.

The son of Dylan Thomas' victory was the first since he won the Velux National Hunt Novices Hurdle at England's Kempton Park Racecourse back in April of 2016. Swansea Mile was one of two entered for trainer Richard Hendriks, who also saddled Simenon, pulled up after about a mile and three quarters was run. Simeon was ponied back and unsaddled seemingly unharmed.

"It's been a long time since I've been here in a Grade 1 in this winner's circle," Hendriks said. "So it feels real good. He was eligible for some other races, but I have to give credit to [the owners]. She said you have to like running up and down the hills and I listened to her. We took a shot and got in with a light weight and he ran a great race. Mikey [Mitchell] gave him a wonderful ride. He's a great horse and we're lucky to have him."

Off of a mid-pack trip, Swansea Mile remained patient as Portrade, last year's winner of the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup, led the field through the first mile under Gustav Dahl and remained there while kept under watch by Balance the Budget. 

Leading the way up to the sixth of eight fences, Portrade was challenged by Diplomat as 5-2 favorite Modem, making his first start in the United States, launched his bid. 

A sluggish All the Way Jose, the third choice in betting, dropped jockey Keri Brion at the sixth fence after striking the jump. The rider-less gelding by Senor Swinger rambled alongside Modem, while Swansea Mile took the eighth jump as the new leader and withstood Modem's stretch-drive challenge.

The victory was the second start since May 21 after the versatile Mitchell rode the gelding to a seventh-place finish against allowance rivals without hurdles.

"We ran him at Parx just to get a good flat race for him and have Mikey get a feel for him," Hendriks said. "He's an excellent rider. He gallops him [Swansea Mile] every day. He knew what he was doing today. He did a great job."

Swansea Mile's win was the second in as many steeplechase events here at Saratoga for Mitchell after he won aboard Show Court in Wednesday's Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes.

Hendriks, whose last Grade 1 victory at Saratoga came in the New York Turf Writers Handicap in 2004 with Tres Touche will look to return and add a second to his resume.

"We'll have to come back for the [Grade 1] Turf Writers [Cup on August 24], yes. It's very hard to win a Grade 1 over jumps; we only have about five or six races. Hopefully we'll keep him in one piece and we'll be back in about a month."