September 2022 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN September 2022 Page 31 Jockey Waves to Crowd Mid-Stretch in Sheppard Stakes Win Watters, last year's champion Na- tional Steeplechase Association jockey, it was, remarkably, his first win at Saratoga. The race began with Irv Naylor’s Chief Justice, ridden by Barry Foley, snatching the lead on the backside. But it didn’t take long for Snap Decision to range up four wide and take charge. Chief Justice sat in second, with the rest of the field in pursuit. Throughout the two loops of the course there was little change in position among the run- ners. Nearing the final turn, Snap Decision increased his advantage to 10 lengths as Chief Justice tired and Going Country rallied under Danny Mullins, who traveled from Europe for the mount, to get up for second. Redicean, the longest shot in the field at 26-1, finished third. The final time of the race was 4:32.88. Belfast Banter, Song for Someone, Down Royal and Chief Justice completed the order of fin- ish. Historic Heart was scratched. The Sheppard was the fourth trip to the post for Snap Decision in 2022. After finishing second in his seasonal bow at Middleburg, Snap Decision was ready for a big effort and delivered in the G1 Iroquois in Nashville in May, romping by more than seven lengths. He prepped for the Sheppard with a sharp third in the Colonial Cup, a flat turf stake at Colonial Downs in Virginia, in late July. The victory brought Snap Decision’s career record to 35-13-7- 7 with earnings of $822,334. The story of Snap Decision's ascension has become familiar. Bred by the Phipps family and trained by Shug McGaughey, Snap Decision was graded stakes-placed on the flat prior to his jumping career. He made his debut over hurdles in 2019 and reeled off nine straight wins over two seasons. After the victory, Fisher told the NYRA press office that his star will likely turn his attention to the G1 Lonesome Glory, also a handi- cap, at Aqueduct on Sept. 15. (Continued from page 17)