Swansea Mile Upsets A.P. Smithwick Memorial

Michael Mitchell has had a mixed introduction to American jump racing. A native of Rugby in England, he had ridden for several years in New Zealand before dropping anchor in the U.S. earlier this year.
He won early, in the Apr. 1 Carolina Cup, and four weeks later in Charlotte, N.C., was delivered a swift kick that hospitalized him for a while.
But jump jockeys are a tough breed, and Mitchell was back riding this month. He also has found a home, at Saratoga Race Course.
Wednesday, he booted home Mark W. Buyck Jr.'s Show Court (Ire) (Vinnie Roe {Ire}) to win the first jump race of Saratoga's season, the $75,000 Jonathan Kiser Novice S. The following afternoon, he was back at Saratoga for the $150,000 G1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial.
His mount was Rosbrian Farm's Swansea Mile (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), who appeared to be having trouble figuring out the American sport after his arrival from England last year. He figured out the game at just the right time, drawing away Thursday to a two-length victory at 28.50-1 odds.
Newcomer Modem (Ire) (Motivator {GB}), favored at 2.65-1, ran a big race to finish second, and Diplomat (Kitten's Joy) was well back in third. Portrade (Ire) (Trade Fair {GB}), the 2016 G1 New York Turf Writers Cup H. winner, finished fourth after setting a contested lead for the first mile of the 2 1/16-mile race over eight fences.
Trainer Ricky Hendriks, who ascended into the second spot by trainer earnings with the Smithwick's $90,000 first-place purse, conceded that he and Rosbrian owner George Mahoney Jr. were shooting for the moon with Swansea Mile, who carried the ground-level 140 pounds in the Smithwick handicap.
“We took a shot and got in with a light weight, and he ran a great race,” Hendriks said. “Mikey [Mitchell] gave him a wonderful ride. He's a great horse, and we're lucky to have him.”
Mitchell, who resumed riding after having the stabilizing wires removed from his shattered jaw, has been riding Swansea Mile every morning at Hendriks's Pennsylvania farm. His mount was the picture of good health and fitness, but he admittedly ran well beyond his rider's expectations.
“I wasn't really expecting a lot out of him with this rain affecting the ground, but keeping him safe and straight. Once we got towards come, he was great,” Mitchell said.
The 26-year-old jockey broke Swansea Mile sharply and took up a position in the second flight, roughly eight lengths behind Portrade and Balance the Budget (Bellamy Road), who raced together on the front.
Diplomat made the first move, taking the lead over the last fence on the backstretch, but Swansea Mile ran him down early in the stretch and then repelled the challenge by Robert Kinsley's Modem, ridden by Jack Doyle.
Swansea Mile, a winner for the first time since a novice hurdle at Kempton in April 2016, ran the Smithwick's 2 1/16 miles in 3:48.37 on turf rated as good.
Mitchell said he was pleased to settle in at Saratoga.
“It feels pretty good. It's my first time at Saratoga, and I think I'm starting to like this track. I've been really fortunate for the last two starts,” he said.