IRISH-bred Winston C won the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick for Hudson River Farm, Jonathan Sheppard and jockey Tom Garner on July 25th. The hurdle attracted 12 horses, including the likes of Bedrock, last seen scalping Samcro at Down Royal. Winston C, making his second start here, rallied from last to win his fourth race over hurdles.

A three-time winner this winter, Irish-bred Winston C was sold to Ed Swyer’s Hudson River Farm after finishing fifth at Aintree in April.

“We kind of liked him right from the start. He’s got a little more flat-race look and body shape to him which you kind of need,” Sheppard said. “I’m not be laboring the point, but you could probably say I’m in the twilight of my career now.

“It’s probably not going to get any better at this point, so it’s nice to get on the board. This is what we get up in the morning for. A win is a win, it’s nice to win anywhere, but a race like this – a stakes race in Saratoga for a guy like Ed who has been very loyal – it’s pretty special.”