Sar 8/25 Steeplechase

[Flatterer]

The first 2 3/8 mile 9 jump 5 turn race of the meet is featured in the NY Turf Writers handicap race 1 on Thursday. Racing Secretary Bill Gallo cobbled this race with big support from trainers Jack Fisher and Elizabeth Voss.

There are 2 scenarios for this race.

Scenario 1: #5 Portrade will open up a 15 length lead when they come out of the first turn and #1 Andi’amu will lead the pack trying to stay as close as he can to Portrade with both running out of gas after the last jump, setting up for a closer.

Scenario #2: they will crawl (canter) around for 2 laps and starting running on the 4th turn and run as fast as they can over the last 2 jumps, turning the race into a 6 furlong extended sprint. In either case, #3 Bob Le Beau will try to close, hitting the board but not win the race, because of the 12-24 weight concession.

For comparison, the best American handicap horse in training Rawnaq would carry 176 in this race. #4 Scorpiancer ran against Rawnaq twice this year, losing by 15 and 16 lengths. #4 Scorpiancer gets 12 pounds from #3 Bob Le Beau, a favorable improvement when he only lost by a length with a 10 pound weight concession.

These runners have average flat turf speed.

Here is the field with handicap weights.

#1 Andi’amu (Fr) (144) Ran a tiring 4th in a Saratoga handicap 8/3 and won a Monmouth Park Ratings Handicap 6/17 beating a respectable field. 2nd at Nashville 5/14 in a 3 mile race, losing by a ½ length. Light weight helps but still finishes 4th or 5th with best effort.

#2 Charminster (Ire) (148) Good 2nd at Malvern 5/21 and Won grade 2 Virginia Gold Cup 5/7, trading places with #6 Scoodic. Doyle takes off because of his contract with Voss.

#3 Bob Le Beau (Ire). (162) Won the prep for this race at Saratoga 8/4 with Doyle as top jockey and contract rider for Voss. Doyle gets first call with the high weight. Weight finally catches up, use underneath for exotics.

#4 Scorpiancer (Ire). (150) Finished good second to # 3 Bob Le Beau in prep at Saratoga 8/4. Strong chance to win with 12 pound weight concession from #3 Bob Le Beau.

#5 Portrade (Ire). (142) Set pace in prep at Saratoga 8/4. Only entered to round out the field to 6. Will set the pace, then crash and burn.

#6 Schoodic. (146) 6th in the prep at Saratoga 8/4 in a nightmare wide run on every turn after winning Grade 3 National Hunt Cup at Radnor. Light 146 weight and positive jockey change give him a good chance to hit the board.

Projected order of finish:

4-3-6-2-1-5

For betting purposes:

A) 4

B) 3-6

Best of luck to everyone!!!

[ScottJ]

In the Thursday Steeplechase, Bob Le Beau was pulled up less than one mile into the race. On the head-on shot, there appeared to be an injury to the right rear leg. Hope that we will hear that the injury was not serious although it did not look good from the video feed.

[Flatterer]

Portrade went coast to coast with Andi'amu chasing in 2nd the whole way. Both horses ran the race of their lives. The time was 7 seconds faster than last year, highlighting their great effort.

Scorpiancer and Schoodic both stayed off the pace and tried in vain to close, but finished 3rd and 4th.

Bob Le Beau pulled up on the second turn with a right rear ankle injury. After further examination, the injury was catastrophic and Bob Le Beau was humanely destroyed.

Hope you've enjoyed the write ups and gained an understanding of steeplechase races. Thank you for the kind words and support.

There are steeplechase races scheduled for Wednesday 8/31 and Thursday 9/1.

I'll provide an analysis next week.

Good luck to everybody!!!