The $150,000 Red Smith Handicap (G2) usually marks the end of the turf stakes schedule in New York, featuring older horses going 1 3/8 miles over the inner course at Aqueduct. An overflow field of sixteen was drawn, but because of heavy rains on Wednesday, the race had to be moved to the main track at the reduced distance of 1 1/4 miles, causing all but five horses to scratch out of the race and downgrading the event to a Grade 3. According to John Passero, director of racing surfaces for the New York Racing Association, the decision to move the race to the main track was prompted by severe rains earlier in the week that accounted for very soft and unsafe parts on the turf course's backside. Weather permitting, the turf course will likely be back in use next week.
Angliana was sent off as the 8-5 favorite over 2-1 Naughty New Yorker, the pair having been entered as "main track only". Turf specialist Crown Point stayed in the race as the 4-1 third choice. With the main track favoring speed on Saturday, Jean-Luc Samyn sent Naughty New Yorker to the lead, and slowed the pace to 26.15, 51.95, 1:16.56 and 1:40.96 while as many as 3 1/2 lengths clear of Angliana stalking him in second. Naughty New Yorker had plenty left in the tank to respond to a late challenge from Angliana in the stretch, allowing the favorite to draw near at the top of the stretch but then pulling away late to win by 1 3/4 length. The winning time was 2:04.52, and the winner returned $5.90 for his seventh victory in 27 starts. It was a long 5 lengths back to Crown Point in third.
Results chart from DRF
Known for his ability in turf races which prompted the cheer 'Samyn on the Green,' the wily veteran showed he could judge pace on the dirt as well. "I'm just happy to be reunited with my big horse and on top of that be back in the winner's circle." Samyn said. "I lost him when I got hurt in Saratoga. For Pat Kelly to put him in this race 'main-track-only' worked out well. He's got plenty of speed and in the first sixteenth, he takes his time, but then after that he goes."
"We were all set to run next week in the Stuyvesant," winning trainer Pat Kelly said. "We'll take the bigger purse. I (nominated) him to the (Cigar) Mile, just in case Discreet Cat gets a headache or something. He was running easy today and not fighting. It's nice to win an open stakes. Hopefully, he'll keep going for a while and win some more. I wouldn't run him back in the Stuyvesant. I'd rather keep an eye on the other race, because we've got the Queens County coming up, too."
