SARATOGA, N.Y.--The steeplechase race scheduled for last Wednesday was cancelled at the last minute due to a torrential downpour and was rescheduled for this Sunday, July 21.
Ricky HendriksHorses for the steeplechase were already in the paddock when Saratoga cancelled the race to keep the turf course in good shape for the remainder of the meet.
Markhan, owned by Rosbrian Farm and trained by Ricky Hendriks, is the favorite for Sunday's race, which will be competed at 12:20 as the first race.
As Saturday's card was cancelled due to excessive heat, most of those races have been added to Sunday's card.
The National Steeplechase Association released a preview of Sunday's steeplechase race.
This is the field for the $65,000, 2 1/16-mile allowance hurdle in post-position order.
The horses’ NSA ratings are in parentheses at the end of the profiles.
MARKHAN. 2013 b. g., Birdstone—Royal Flush, by Smart Strike. Owner: Rosbrian Farm. Trainer: Ricky Hendriks. Jockey: Ross Geraghty. Breeders. Dr. Lawrence Opas, Dr. John Jain, and Dr. Frank Sinatra (Ky.) Repatriated for 2019 Iroquois maiden hurdle and drew clear to a 4 ½-length victory. Had six wins on the flat in Ireland for trainer Gordon Elliott. (116)
Zeppelin Ride. 2014 dk. b. or br. g., Tiznow—Gold Dust, by Forest Wildcat. Owner: Jonathan Sheppard and Vincent Bonnani. Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard. Jockey: Gerard Galligan. Breeder: Doug and Felicia Branham (Ky.) 2019 record: 2-0-0-0, $0. 2018 record: 8-1-1-0, $26,570. In first 2019 start, pulled up in Carolina Cup allowance hurdle, then fell at Foxfield Spring. Scored maiden victory at 2018 Montpelier Hunt Races. (113)
Repeat Repeat. 2014 dk. b. or br. g., Arch—Dattt Echo, by Stormy Atlantic. Owner: Bon Nouvel Chasers. Trainer: Julie Gomena. Jockey: Kieran Norris. Breeder: Dattt Farm (Ky.) Won his steeplechase debut by a neck at the 2019 Carolina Cup, and then was third in tough allowance hurdle at Iroquois after setting early pace. Had four consecutive first-place finishes on flat in 2018. (116)
Renown (GB). 2011 ch. g., Champs Elysees (GB)—Fame At Last, by Quest for Fame (GB). Owner: Merribelle Stable. Trainer: Elizabeth Voss. Jockey: Jack Doyle. Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (GB). 2019 record: 2-0-1-0, $6,300. 2018 NSA record: 2-1-0-1, $27,000. Began 2019 with second in Middleburg Spring allowance hurdle before stumbling and losing jockey at Iroquois. Won maiden hurdle victory at 2019 International Gold Cup. Won Virginia Gold Cup’s 2018 Secretariat Stakes on the flat. (119)
Roller Rolls On. 2015 b. g., Lemon Drop Kid—Classofsixtythree, by Include. Owner: Lee Pokoik. Trainer: Doug Fout. Jockey: Sean McDermott. Breeder: Lee Pokoik (Ky.) 2018 NSA record: 3-1-1-0, $21,000. Finished third in 2019 Radnor allowance hurdle. In first start over fences, won 2018 Shawan Downs maiden hurdle for three-year-olds. Finished second in Far Hills’ 2018 Gladstone Stakes. (110)
Gaye Breeze (Ire). 2013 b. g., Getaway (Ger)—Railway House, by Ashkalani. Owner: Petticoats Loose Farm. Trainer: Meriwether Morris. Jockey: Thomas Garner. Breeder: Ballyreddin Stud (Ire). 2019 record: 4-1-0-1, $21,000. Won Fair Hill maiden hurdle in his third career start, all in 2019. Finished third at Carolina Cup in his debut. (116)
Whitman’s Poetry. 2011 b. g., Tiznow—Tustarta, by Trempolino. Owner: DASH Stable. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Michael Mitchell. Breeder: Edward A. Cox Jr. (Ky.). 2019 NSA record: 3-0-2-1, $17,900. 2018 NSA record: 3-0-2-0, $17,650. Finished third in 2019 Carolina Cup allowance hurdle before second-place finishes at Queen’s Cup and Iroquois. Second in 2018 Queen’s Cup ratings handicap and Iroquois allowance hurdle before fourth in at Saratoga. Won his maiden hurdle victory at 2017 Far Hills meet. Finished third in 2016 Laurel Turf Cup. (119)
Cite. 2013 b. g., Blame—Cross, by Mighty. Owner: Gillian Johnston. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Willie McCarthy. Breeders: Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider (Ky.) 2019 record: 3-0-0-0, $3,500. 2018 record: 4-1-1-0, $29,400. Began 2019 with two fourth-place finishes at Carolina Cup and Middleburg Spring before fall at Iroquois Steeplechase. Won 2018 Iroquois maiden hurdle after second in his jump-racing debut in a maiden hurdle at the Queen’s Cup. (116)
