By J.N. Campbell
If only those walls could talk. There's a room from a bygone era within the press box at Aqueduct Racetrack where members of the media congregated between races.
The space's counter is still there, but you have to use your imagination when it comes to what the scene looked like in the old days. The latches on the windows that are now worn with time would be thrown open to let in the sounds of the oval below, while the crisp white shades from the fixtures would have adequately illuminated the newly-printed forms strewn about the scattered tables.
The chatter that took place still feels palpable though and it would have been something to share a coffee with legendary writers like the Daily Racing Form's Joe Hirsch and The New York Times's Walter Wellesley Smith, better known as “Red,” as they took a break from their efforts to craft a pithy lead.
Smith captured best this kind of nostalgia when he said about his own craft, “I like to get where the cabbage is cooking and catch the scents.” That's the stuff.
As we remember what was before returning to our screens, it is certainly appropriate that Saturday's grades stakes slate includes the annual renewal of the GII Red Smith Stakes at the Big A, which was a race that was renamed for the celebrated sportswriter in 1982.
Going the 11 furlongs on the grass this time around are an eclectic bunch of nine older males and we might wish that Smith was around to offer a piece just one last time about the field.
There are a trio of seasoned pros drawn here that have over 30 starts to their credit. As a 7-year-old, MGSW City Man (Mucho Macho Man) is coming to the end of his career, but the Christophe Clement trainee might have one last trick up his sleeve in what will be his 37th go.
Deterministic wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial | Coady Media
The veteran will face a pair of stalwarts from Rick Dutrow's barn in SW Pioneering Spirit (American Pharoah) and the winner from last year's Red Smith, MGSW Master Piece (Chi) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
“He's [Master Piece] run big twice on this grass course,” said Dutrow. “We can't wait to watch him run again. He's a pleasure to be around. Every barn that he's in, just all the people really like him because he's such a cool, funny horse to be around.”
More lightly-raced competitors include morning-line favorite MGSW Integration (Quality Road), who was the runner-up this past summer in the GI Arlington Million at Colonial Downs, and the class climbing 4-year-old colt Rebel Red (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The latter won against allowance types for trainer Cherie DeVaux at Saratoga July 13, but sadly lost an eye following the race. Proving once again that equine athletes can adapt, the chestnut cleared the next condition in-style at Keeneland Oct. 5.
The other graded race on Saturday in Ozone Park is the nine-furlong GIII Hill Prince Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf. This could be a throwdown between GSP Cugino (Twirling Candy) and GIII Virginia Derby champ Deterministic (Liam's Map). A Shug McGaughey trainee, Cugino certainly sparkled this summer in the Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs when he led from the bell, but the bay was well-beaten in the GIII Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs Aug. 31.
As for 'TDN Rising Star' Deterministic, Christophe Clement made the call to move the GIII Gotham Stakes hero to the grass and it has paid dividends. If the dark bay rates like he is capable of doing, then the race could be his for the taking.
“He [Deterministic] won the Gotham nicely in the slop, but then he had two average races on the dirt, and we decided to switch him back to the turf,” said Clement assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul. “He's by Liam's Map and we've had some success with Liam's Map on the turf, so that's why we tried him and now he's been showing consistent form.”
Heading over to Louisville, Churchill Downs has the GIII River City Stakes on tap. Like the Hill Prince, this one is also set for nine furlongs on the grass. Older runners entered in the River City include MGSP Cash Equity (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), who will battle the likes of 'TDN Rising Star' and MGSW Emmanuel (More Than Ready) and GSP Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue).
Caitlinhergrtness nets the King's Plate | Michael Burns
Finally, the graded stakes train heads north of the border to Canada and the folks on-track at Woodbine will have the chance to see Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach) return to Toronto in the GIII Maple Leaf Stakes. Named after WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, the last time the filly took to the all-weather surface, she beat the boys in the King's Plate Aug. 23. After finishing third in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland Oct. 12, trainer Kevin Attard sends her up against older females for the first time.
Standing in her way is stablemate Fashionably Fab (Silent Name {Jpn}), who won the GIII Ontario Matron Stakes at Woodbine Sept. 14, and the battle-tested runner-up from that same race, Elysian Field (Hard Spun).
Next, a capacity field of 14 will head to the post in the GIII Bessarabian Stakes. Longshots could be live here, like GSP Tripolina (Constitution), who was just added to the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale Nov. 14, and MGSP Dolce Sopresa (Maclean's Music), who should relish the timing behind a cutback and a surface switch.
Rounding out the card at Woodbine is the GII Autumn Stakes for older males. Owner Mike Repole promised to send his stock to other trainers and he has delivered. Never Surprised (Constitution) finally cleared the optional claiming ranks over the E.P. Taylor grass course after a strong graded stakes showing earlier in his career under Todd Pletcher. Now a 6-year-old, he will tangle with Canadian champion 3-year-old colt and King's Plate victor Paramount Prince (Society's Chairman) and MSW Forever Souper (American Pharoah), who comes in riding a three-race black-type win streak.
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