Pennsylvania’s newest millionaire might just be the oldest to have accomplished the feat.
Nine-year-old Smooth B won the Turf Monster Stakes at Parx during Pennsylvania Derby day in September, giving him $1,043,447 in earnings for owner LC Racing and trainer Butch Reid. Lord Admiral is believed to be the previous record holder for a Pennsylvania-bred and reached $1 million in earnings as an 8-year-old while racing mainly in Ireland and Dubai.
“He’s like a fine wine, getting better with age,” Reid said. Fore Harp, Smooth B’s younger, full brother, dueled with Talented Man for the lead while the old veteran was patiently ridden by Mychel Sanchez just off the pace. Smooth B advanced at the top of the stretch as Fore Harp gave him an opening along the rail and powered through to win by 4 1/2 lengths.
Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races, scheduled for Parx Racing near Philadelphia on Aug. 26, has launched several careers and looks to launch a few more this year.
The race was moved off the turf by Parx Racing management which released a statement that said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.”
The same turf-to-dirt scenario played out for Smooth B in his victory in the Marshall Jenney Handicap in August and he rallied similarly on the rail.
“A perfect trip; Mikey Sanchez knows the horse real well now,” Reid said. “That seems to be his thing, sitting behind the leaders and cutting the corner on them. It’s worked a couple times in a row now.”
Jean Valjean, the favorite and expected pace of the race, stumbled badly at the break and had to settle for third.
Turf racing had been shut down for about a month at Parx but returned for Pennsylvania Derby week after being evaluated by the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).
The first turf race of the day, the Alphabet Soup Handicap, was won by Crisper, but Freedom Eagle was eased and vanned off.
Everyone’s Favorite Uncle
Uncle Heavy run a strong fourth in the Pennsylvania Derby, which was won by Preakness Stakes winner, Seize the Grey.
Uncle Heavy put together his best effort since his Withers Stakes triumph in February with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby.
The strapping son of Social Inclusion was wide around both turns but made a nice move near the far turn to put himself within striking range of eventual winner, Seize the Grey.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of pace ahead of him either,” Reid said. “He’s going to need a little bit more pace than that, but I was very proud of his race.”
Reid said that Uncle Heavy might get a shot on the turf before the end of the year.
“We wanted to try him on the turf, it seems like those Social Inclusions are running on the turf pretty good,” he said. “We are trying to think of a spot before the end of the year and maybe try him on the turf one time. Then we’ll give him a nice long break over the winter.”
