By Don Clippinger
Even by trainer Jack Fisher's lofty standards, 2017 has been an amazing year.
The Maryland horseman, the latest in a long succession of Fishers who figured prominently in the steeplechase world, has been fracturing records with regularity. He is the only trainer in the National Steeplechase Association's history to exceed $1-million in annual earnings, and he has done so three times.
For the longest time, it appeared that the overall NSA trainer earnings record–now just over $23-million and held by Racing Hall of Fame member Jonathan Sheppard–would stand forever. That virtual certainty is being questioned as Fisher, 54, keeps throwing up million-dollar seasons, with a third straight in prospect. His earnings now exceed $14-million.
His first million-dollar season was in 2008, when stable star Good Night Shirt (Concern) went undefeated. On Aug. 4, Sonny Via, Jr.'s Good Night Shirt will take his place in the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.
NSA race meets paid record spring purses this year, and Fisher seized a record chunk of them. His current total is $638,800, which is more than three times the purses earned by Sheppard, his closest competitor.
Fisher will be looking to add to his earnings total on Thursday in Saratoga Race Course's G1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial H., one of two $150,000 steeplechase stakes on the Saratoga menu.
Four weeks later, the prize will be the G1 New York Turf Writers Cup H.
His most intriguing prospect is Edith Dixon's homebred Schoodic (Tiznow)–if Schoodic chooses to behave. He is a strapping 7-year-old by a scion of the Man o' War line who has shown promise as a jumps sire. Schoodic is capable of a top-level victory when he chooses to run, but his past performances betray a Jekyll-and Hyde personality.
Against top-shelf competition in the Virginia Gold Cup's G2 David Semmes Memorial May 6, he drew away to a confident two-length score. Then, against lesser opponents two weeks later, he checked in fifth with a substitute jockey after regular rider Paddy Young was injured in the preceding race. Sean McDermott, the Irish veteran who rides Fisher's best horses, has the mount in the Smithwick.
Fisher also will saddle owner Gillian Johnston's Mr. Hot Stuff (Tiznow), who was sufficiently hot to place in the 2009 GI Santa Anita Derby (behind winner Pioneerof the Nile) and won the 2 1/16-mile Smithwick in 2013. Now 11, Mr. Hot Stuff missed last season and finished third behind Fisher-trained division leader Scorpiancer (Ire) (Scorpion {Ire}) and Portrade (Ire) (Trade Fair {Ire) in the G3 Temple Gwathmey Handicap in April.
The Fields Stable's Portrade heads the Smithwick lineup, and he will be in his accustomed place on the lead. He nearly held on to win last year's Smithwick, finishing third, and he then wired the New York Turf Writers for his first Grade 1 score. Gus Dahl rides Portrade.
Elizabeth Voss, who trains Portrade, also will have a notable day Aug. 4 when her late father, trainer Tom Voss, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. For the Smithwick, she also will saddle Robert Kinsley's newcomer Modem (GB) (Motivator {GB}), who will be ridden by Jack Doyle.
Sheppard, whose 47-year record of at least one Saratoga winner ended last season, will be looking to start a new streak with Buttonwood Farm's All the Way Jose (Senor Swinger), who has returned to top form under apprentice jockey Keri Brion, who also is Sheppard's assistant.
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