Summer Fun addendum

Thanks to reader Van Cushny for his willingness to provide information on two other divisions: Steeplechase and Marathon. The former is an Eclispe Award division while the latter is not, but it is a Breeders' Cup race. Anyone want to tackle turf sprinters? To read my rundown of other divisions, click here.

Steeplechase: Tax Ruling won the Iroquois, the only Grade 1 race contested so far this year, and is the current leader as a result. Slip Away was second in the Iroquois and won the Grade 3 Temple Gwathmey in his only other start, while Spy in the Sky, who won the Grade 1 NY Turf Writers’ Cup at Saratoga last year, won the Grade 2 Carolina Cup and is nominated to the Grade 3 Ferguson at Colonial Downs on July 11th. Last year’s steeplechase champion Mixed Up finished off the board in the Iroquois but looks to rebound in the Grade 1 Smithwick at Saratoga. Country Cousin upset last year’s novice champion Left Unsaid in the Grade 3 National Hunt Cup and is undefeated in both of his starts over fences this year. Call You In Ten started the year as a maiden but has won both of his hurdle starts impressively and is being pointed to the novice stakes races at Saratoga.

Dirt Marathon: Alcomo won the Grade 2 Brooklyn by a head bob over Gabriel’s Hill; those two sit atop a wide-open division. Tap It Light won the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita defeating Rendezvous and both must be considered serious contenders. Tiger’s Rock won the Gallant Fox and the Coyote Lakes over the inner track at Aqueduct but was off the board in the Brooklyn. Marathon stalwart Lite Light was second in the Coyote Lakes and should be heard from again. Irish invader Man of Iron, a half brother to Belmont winners Rags to Riches and Jazil, has yet to start this year after defeating Cloudy’s Knight by a nose the Breeders’ Cup Marathon last Fall. Speaking of Cloudy’s Knight, the 10-year-old incurred a minor injury while training this Spring but may still make it to the races this Fall.