From the Spa: July 25 Midlantic-breds in Saratoga stakes

I Spent It wins the 2014 Saratoga Special. Photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.

by Joseph Aiello

“From the Spa” returns to keep you up-to-date on horses bred in the mid-Atlantic racing in Saratoga stakes 

Thursday, July 25th brings the return of a familiar face, All the Way Jose, to Saratoga in the Grade I A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Handicap. Having run in the Smithwick the last two years, All the Way Jose is no stranger to the Grade I spotlight, despite having some issues in finishing the job. He has not won a race in two years, and has had long-standing troubles at the Spa where he has not crossed the finish line first since 2014. Even with these struggles, this nine year old gelding by Senor Swinger – Maternity Leave, by Northern Baby can right the wrongs with a win in this two and one sixteenth mile hurdle race on the turf.

All the Way Jose was bred in Pennsylvania by his trainer, Jonathan E. Sheppard, and will break from the eleven post in a large field with thirteen entries. Even with so many entries, All the Way Jose has long morning line odds of 15/1, which may be due to his lack of recent wins. These odds, however, should be taken with a grain of salt, since he has been a consistent finisher through his career and has run among the best hurdlers in the nation. Surely with this level of competition and class, All the Way Jose is due for a breakthrough win which would give him, and jockey Gerard Galligan, their first graded stakes victories over the Saratoga track. All the Way Jose is owned by Buttonwood Farm and has career earnings of $425,950.