Post-Race Analysis:
August 7, 2003 - Saratoga Springs, NY: Anofferucantrefuse won the
24th running of the $75,000 Grade II A. P. Smithwick Memorial in
front-running fashion, defeating Praise The Prince (NZ) by 4 1/2
lengths. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Tres Touche who finished
third, three lengths in front of novice hurdler Trebizond (Ire).
The time for the 2 1/16th miles over the soft course that included
nine fences was 3:51.00, one second off the track record of 3:26.2
set by Hudson Bay while carrying 147 pounds in 1996.
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|
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Anofferucantrefuse leads (from left)
Grand Marvel, Tres Touche and Praise The Prince at the first
fence of the Smithwick.
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The Smithwick was the second consecutive graded stakes victory
for Anofferucantrefuse after he had gone 14 months without a victory.
His three-time defending steeplechase champion trainer Tom Voss
searched for an explanation for his recent form reversal:
"I really don't know what happened to wake him up in his last race;
it could be him getting the easy lead and being brave, or that he
is not bleeding through the Lasix (anti-bleeding medication). We
are positive that he doesn't like the soft ground. We thought about
scratching him, but there was no other place for him to run. He's
always had good races in him, it's just getting them to come forward.
Now, we'll look ahead to the New York Turf Writers Cup."
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Anofferucantrefuse was in front by five
lengths at the sixth fence of the Smithwick.
|
Winning jockey Cyril Murphy explained that, despite the heavy thundershowers
that had pelted the Saratoga region for the last three days, the
turf course was in excellent condition:
"Today, there was nice ground for jumpers, yielding to be sure
but not heavy or deep at all. We schooled him over fences inside
the Oklahoma training track yesterday, and he handled the ground
there well. Today the ground on the steeplechase course was nicer
then it was at Oklahoma yesterday, despite the storm we had last
night."
Fox Ridge Farm's Anofferucantrefuse has now hit for the cycle in
graded stakes competition, having won the Grade I Aitcheson and
the Grade III Ferguson before capturing today's Grade II Smithwick.
The 6-year-old homebred son of Red Ransom (by Roberto) is a full
brother to graded stakes winner Upper Noosh, a turf specialist who
won the Grade III Miss Grillo at Belmont, finished second in the
Grade III Pucker Up Stakes at the Meadowlands and was third in a
pair of Graded stakes at Saratoga: the prestigious Grade I Diana
Handicap and the Grade III Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap.
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Anofferucantrefuse leads Praise The Prince
and Tres Touche at the finish of the Smithwick.
|
Augustin Stables' Praise The Prince was reserved early running
at the back of he pack, rallied nearing final fence, but couldn't
close ground on Anofferucantrefuse through the stretch. Praise The
Prince won the Smithwick as a novice two years ago. The 8-year-old
son of Prince of Praise (NZ) (by Crossways (GB)) is a multiple Grade
I stakes and has earned $420,304 over fences. This year Praise The
Prince finished third in the Grade I Royal Chase at Keeneland before
finishing second to Pelagos (Fr) in the Grade I Iroquois and third
to Anofferucantrefuse and Tres Touche in the Ferguson. He is conditioned
by Sanna N. Hendricks and was ridden by Jody Petty
Contrarian Stables' Tres Touche settled into third place early
while securing a ground-saving place along the rail. Jockey David
Bentley moved the 6-year-old son of Poles Apart (by Danzig) into
second place leaving the backstretch the last time, but there was
no getting to Anofferucantrefuse. Tres Touche was still second at
the last fence, but was passed by Praise The Prince on the run-in.
Tres Touche has captured a steeplechase stakes race in each of the
last four seasons, including the Grade III Marcellus Frost at Iroquois
earlier this year. He has eight lifetime steeplechase victories
to his credit and has earned $367,087 from 24 lifetime starts over
fences, and finished second to It's A Giggle in last year's edition
of the Smithwick.
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Anofferucantrefuse and Cyril Murphy return
to the winner's circle.
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William C. Lickle's Trebizond (Ire) jumped poorly over the third
and trailed early before mounting a rally around the final turn
to move into fourth before jumping poorly again at the last fence.
The 7-year-old gelding won the Grade I Meadow Brook and the Grade
I Hard Scuffle earlier this year, although both of those races were
restricted to novices. He has finished no better than fourth on
his three graded stakes starts against open company. He is trained
by Kathy Neilson, and was ridden for the first time by Matt McCarron.
Trebizond was bred in Ireland by Vincent O'Brien, who was the master
of Coolmore's Ballydoyle Farm prior to retiring and turning the
reins over to current trainer Aidan O'Brien. Trebizond is by perennial
leading European sire Saddler's Wells (by Northern Dancer) out of
a mare by Storm Bird (by Northern Dancer) and as such is very closely
inbred (2x3) to Northern Dancer. Trebizond is also inbred 2x3 to
full sisters Lisadell and Special, the later being the dam of Nureyev.
Both sisters are granddaughters of the blue hen Rough Shod II. This
pedigree pattern is very similar to that of 1996 steeplechase champion
Correggio (Ire), who was also bred by Vincent O'Brien. Like Trebizond,
Correggio is by Saddler's Wells out of a daughter of Lisadell again
resulting in 2x3 inbreding to the full sisters Lisadell and Special.
Mrs. Beverly R. Steinman's Golden Marvel (Fr) raced in second place
throughout most of the race, started to fade around the final turn
and came up empty in the stretch to finish fifth. The 7-year-old
son of Linamix (Fr) (by Mendez (Fr)) was making his only his second
start after a 21-month layoff. Golden Marvel set a Colonial Downs
course record in 2001 when he won the National Steeplechase Association
novice championship, but missed last season with an injury to his
right knee. He is trained by Doug Fout and was ridden by Englishman
Robert Massey.
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Left to right: Patsy Randolph, Jamie
Schiff, Mimi Voss, owner Peter Schiff, Chris Randolph, trainer
Tom Voss, Patrick Smithwick, a grandson of Paddy Smithwick,
Cyril Murphy, Mickey Smithwick, and another grandson of Paddy
Smithwick in the winner's circle after the Smithwick.
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Augustin Stables' Invest West looked uncomfortable in the soft
going and was never a factor, checking home sixth and last. The
8-year-old son of Private Account (by Damascus) was making his first
start since finishing fifth in last year's edition of the Smithwick.
He is trained by Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard, who has
won the Smithwick nine times in his storied career, and was ridden
by Tom Foley.
Allgrit, Mulahen (GB) and Indispensable all scratched.
Smithwick Biography: A. P. (Paddy) Smithwick rode 398 steeplechase
winners during his career, second only to Joe Aitcheson's total
of 440. Mr. Smithwick was the nations leading steeplechase jockey
in 1956, 1957, 1958, and again in 1962. He won the Temple Gwathmey,
at the time the country's most prestigious steeplechase race, run
in the late fall at Belmont Park, four times. He won the Meadow
Brook Handicap and the Georgetown Handicap six times each, the International
Handicap and the Beverwyck Handicap five times each, and the New
York Turf Writers and the Grand National three times each. Mr. Smithwick
said the greatest horse he ever rode was Mrs. Ogden Phipps three-time
champion Neji, who retired in 1960 as the leading steeplechase earner
of all time. In 1958 Mr. Smithwick was aboard Neji when he won the
Grand National carrying 173 pounds. Forced to retire from riding
in 1966 after a spill at Monmouth Park that left him partially paralyzed
in the left arm, Mr. Smithwick went on to train two stakes winners
on the flat including Bel Sheba, the dam of Kentucky Derby winner
Alysheba and a full sister to Wac, the dam of Campanile's sire,
Lear Fan. Mr. Smithwick died of cancer at the age of 46 in 1973,
shortly after he was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame.
Click here for Daily Racing Form Past Performance
Charts for the Smithwick.
Past performance charts are provided by the Daily
Racing Form.
The complete order of finish for the Smithwick is set forth below.
Results:
|
FP
|
Horse
|
lbs
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
|
1
|
Anofferucantrefuse |
150 |
Murphy |
Thomas H. Voss |
Fox Ridge Farm |
|
2
|
Praise The Prince (NZ) |
150 |
Petty
|
Sanna N. Hendriks |
Augustin Stable |
|
4
|
Tres Touche |
150 |
Bentley |
Ricky Hendricks |
Contrarian Stables |
|
3
|
Trebizond (Ire) |
146
|
McCarron |
Katherine Neilson |
Willaim C. Lickle |
|
5
|
Golden Marvel (Fr) |
146 |
Massey |
Doug Fout |
Beverly R. Steinman |
|
6
|
Invest West |
150 |
Foley |
Jonathan Sheppard |
Augustin Stables |
|
Scr
|
Allgrit |
142 |
|
Jonathan Sheppard |
Hudson River Farms |
|
Scr
|
Mulahen (GB) |
150 |
|
Katherine Neilson |
Mrs. S.K. Johnston Jr. |
|
Scr
|
Indispensable |
150 |
|
Jack Fisher |
Mrs. F.E. Dixon, Jr. |
| Winner: |
Anofferucantrefuse - Dark Bay or Brown Horse,
May 02, 1997
Bred by Fox Ridge Farm, Inc. in KY |
| Pedigree: |
Red Ransom - Valid Offer , by Val de l'Orne
(FR) |
| Scratched Horses: |
Allgrit, Mulahen (GB), Indispensable |
| Pgm |
Horse |
Win |
Place |
Show |
Total WPS
Pool: $179,274 |
| 8 |
Anofferucantrefuse |
11.40 |
4.20 |
2.50 |
|
| 1A |
Praise the Prince (NZ) |
|
2.80 |
2.10 |
|
| 3 |
Tres Touche |
|
|
2.40 |
|
| Wager Type |
Winning Numbers |
Payoff |
Pool |
Carryover |
| $2 Exacta |
8-1 |
25.60 |
156,069 |
|
| $2 Trifecta |
8-1-3 |
74.50 |
68,124 |
|
| Pgm |
Comment |
| 8 |
Anofferucantrefuse: soon in front, made pace,
drew away over last, kept to drive |
| 1A |
Praise the Prince (NZ): reserved early, rallied
nearing final fence, good finish outside |
| 3 |
Tres Touche: reserved early, inside trip,
no rally |
| 2 |
Trebizond (IRE): jumped poorly, no response
when roused |
| 5 |
Golden Marvel (FR): no response when roused |
| 1 |
Invest West: wide all way around, tired |
| Footnotes
|
|
ANOFFERUCANTREFUSE took the
lead soon after the start, opened a clear advantage along
the backstretch, was rated on an uncontested lead while jumping
well leaving the eighth fence, extended his advantage leaving
the far turn, opened a comfortable lead in upper stretch and
drew away under strong left hand encouragement. PRAISE THE
PRINCE (NZ) settled in the middle of the pack in the early
stages, moved up a bit between horses approaching the eighth
fence, lodged a bid while angling out approaching the stretch
then closed late from outside to best the others. TRES TOUCHE
settled just behind the winner while saving ground, bobbled
over the third jump and dropped back slightly, raced in good
position while saving ground to the final turn then lacked
a strong closing bid. TREBIZOND (IRE) trailed early, bobbled
over the third jump raced well back to the turn then bobbled
again while lodging a mild rally over the final fence. GOLDEN
MARVEL (FR) raced up close for a good portion of the way,
lodged a mild bid from outside on the turn then flattened
out. INVEST WEST failed to mount a serious rally while wide
throughout.
|
back to top
Pedigree of Winner:
|
ANOFFERUCANTREFUSE
(USA) dkb/br. G, 1997 DP = 1-4-17-0-0 (22) DI = 1.59 CD
= 0.27; GSV = 66.90
|
ANOFFERUCANTREFUSE
(USA)
dkb/br. 1997
Progeny
Stakes
Results |
RED
RANSOM (USA)*
b. 1987 (56.90)
3-2-1-0
$34,400
Progeny
Stakes
Results
Website |
ROBERTO
(USA)*
b. 1969 [C] (87.74)
14-7-3-0
$339,902
Progeny
Stakes
Results
Article |
HAIL
TO REASON (USA)*
br. 1958 [C] (82.73)
18-9-2-2
$328,434 |
TURN-TO
(IRE)*
b. 1951 [BI] (80.36) |
ROYAL
CHARGER (GB) |
ch. 1942 [B]* |
9-c* |
| SOURCE
SUCREE (FR) |
br. 1940 * |
1-w |
NOTHIRDCHANCE
(USA)
b. 1948 |
BLUE
SWORDS (USA) |
b. 1940 * |
7 |
| GALLA
COLORS (USA) |
b. 1943 |
4-n |
BRAMALEA
(USA)*
dkb/br. 1959
38-8-7-7
$192,396 |
NASHUA
(USA)*
b. 1952 [IC] (79.11)
Book |
NASRULLAH
(GB) |
b. 1940 [B]* |
9-c* |
| SEGULA
(USA) |
dkb/br. 1942 |
3-m |
RARELEA
(USA)
b. 1949 |
BULL
LEA (USA) |
|
br. 1935 [C]* |
9-f |
| BLEEBOK
(USA) |
br. 1941 * |
12-c |
ARABIA
(USA)
b. 1977
13-3-2-4
$54,880
Progeny
Stakes
Results |
DAMASCUS
(USA)*
b. 1964 [IC] (73.62)
32-21-7-3
$1,176,781 |
SWORD
DANCER (USA)*
ch. 1956 (65.38) |
SUNGLOW
(USA) |
ch. 1947 |
2-n |
| HIGHLAND
FLING (USA) |
br. 1950 |
1-o |
KERALA
(USA)*
b. 1958 |
MY BABU
(FR) |
b. 1945 [B]* |
1-w |
| BLADE
OF TIME (USA) |
br. 1938 |
8-h |
CHRISTMAS
WIND (USA)
1967
5-2-0-0
$10,020 |
NEARCTIC
(CAN)*
br. 1954 (80.54) |
NEARCO
(ITY) |
br. 1935 [BC]* |
4-r |
| LADY
ANGELA (IRE) |
ch. 1944 |
14-c |
BALLY
FREE (GB)
1960 |
BALLYMOSS
(GB) |
ch. 1954 [S]* |
2-u |
| FAIR
FREEDOM (GB) |
b. 1945 |
6-b |
VALID
OFFER
1978
Progeny
Stakes
Results |
VAL
DE L'ORNE (FR)*
dkb/br. 1972 (64.98)
5-4-1-0
$497,901
Progeny
Stakes
Results |
VAL
DE LOIR (FR)*
b. 1959 (73.00)
$268,771 |
VIEUX
MANOIR (FR)
b. 1947 [C] (68.02) |
BRANTOME
(FR) |
b. 1931 [C] |
27-a |
| VIEILLE
MAISON (FR) |
b. 1936 |
10-e |
VALI
(FR)*
b. 1954 |
SUNNY
BOY (FR) |
b. 1944 [P] |
16-a |
| HER
SLIPPER (GB) |
b. 1936 |
5-h |
AGLAE
(FR)
b. 1965 |
ARMISTICE
(FR)*
b. 1959 (36.04) |
WORDEN
(FR) |
ch. 1949 [S] |
13-c |
| COMMEMORATION
(FR) |
b. 1953 |
9-f |
AGLAE
GRACE (FR)
1947 |
MOUSSON
(FR) |
b. 1934 |
16-g |
| AGATHE
(FR) |
1936 |
11-e |
GLEAM
(FR)
br. 1967
Progeny
Stakes
Results |
SPY
WELL (USA)
1960 (27) |
MARK-YE-WELL
(USA)
b. 1949 (27) |
BULL
LEA (USA) |
|
br. 1935 [C]* |
9-f |
| MAR-KELL
(USA) |
b. 1939 |
9-f |
MISS
SPY (USA)
1951 |
SPY SONG
(USA) |
br. 1943 [B] |
2-o |
| GENEROSITY
(USA) |
b. 1940 |
3-j |
GLAMOUR
(GB)
1960 |
DJEBE
(FR)
gr. 1945 (39.83) |
DJEBEL
(FR) |
b. 1937 [I]* |
5-j |
| CATHERINE
(FR) |
gr. 1940 |
22-b |
TUDOR
GLEAM (GB)
blk/br. 1952 |
OWEN
TUDOR (GB) |
br. 1938 |
10-b |
| RIDING
RAYS (GB) |
blk. 1943 |
22-d |
Pedigrees compliments of Pedigree
Query
Previous Winners:
| YEAR |
FIRST (Age) |
JOCKEY |
lbs. |
SECOND (Age) |
lbs. |
THIRD (Age) |
lbs. |
| 1980 |
Cookie (5) |
Martin |
141 |
Coconut Creek (6) |
149 |
Pala Mountain (6) |
142 |
| 1981 |
Round the Bay (4) |
Cushman |
140 |
Hill Talk (4) |
136 |
Acromion (4) |
135 |
| 1983 |
Running Comment (9) |
McWade |
148 |
Census (5) |
151 |
Steve Canyon (3) |
147 |
| 1984 |
Double Reefed (8) |
Teter |
152 |
Twas Ever Thus (5) |
155 |
Steve Canyon (4) |
144 |
| 1985 |
Gateshead (6) |
Fishback |
155 |
Le Sauteur (6) |
155 |
Statesmanship (5) |
143 |
| 1986 |
Census (8) |
Teter |
156 |
Le Sauteur (7) |
156 |
Polar Parrallel (5) |
153 |
| 1987 |
Micky Free (4) |
Morris |
141 |
Gateshead (8) |
143 |
Chammsky (8) |
143 |
| 1988 |
Summer Colony (5) |
Smart |
146 |
Jive With Five (4) |
144 |
Rio Claro (5) |
150 |
| 1989 |
Uptown Swell (7) |
Lawrence |
149 |
Rio Claro (6) |
157 |
Double Bill (6) |
142 |
| 1990 |
Summer Colony (7) |
Smart |
158 |
French Hill (5) |
154 |
Victorian Hill (5) |
154 |
| 1991 |
Yaw (9) |
Smart |
143 |
Mihmaz (6) |
144 |
Three Bells For Me (4) |
136 |
| 1992 |
Master McGrath (5) |
Guessford |
139 |
Peer Prince (7) |
140 |
Double Bill (9) |
147 |
| 1993 |
Warm Spell (5) |
Lawrence |
158 |
Castleworth (7) |
140 |
Rolling Cart (8) |
145 |
| 1994 |
Warm Spell (6) |
Lawrence |
164 |
Mistico (8) |
168 |
Cheering News (7) |
146 |
| 1995 |
Lonesome Glory (7) |
B.Miller |
164 |
Irish Aproach (6) |
146 |
Mistico (9) |
160 |
| 1996 |
Cheering News (9) |
C.Miller |
158 |
Stop and Listen (6) |
144 |
Petroski (6) |
148 |
| 1997 |
Brigade of Guards (5) |
Kiser |
144 |
Water Skipper (7) |
140 |
Mario (6) |
156 |
| 1998 |
Romantic (6) |
Kingsley |
140 |
Brigade of Guards (6) |
156 |
Bisbalense (9) |
144 |
| 1999 |
Campanile (5) |
B. Miller |
142 |
Ninepins (10) |
144 |
Approaching Squall (5) |
150 |
| 2000 |
Campanile (6) |
B. Miller |
158 |
Golden Rule (GB) (5) |
154 |
Aggro Craig (8) |
146 |
| 2001 |
Praise The Prince (NZ) (6) |
Brown |
158 |
Aggro Crag (9) |
142 |
Spring Salute |
144 |
| 2002 |
It's A Giggle (8) |
Brown |
158 |
Tres Touche (5) |
154 |
Indispensable (8) |
150 |
Post-Race Analysis | Results
| Pedigree of Winner | Previous
Winners
