SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Mike Smith made a triumphant return to Saratoga on Wednesday when he guided the speedy Spirit Wind to a gate-to-wire victory by three-quarters of a length over Accede for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. in the Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap.
Spirit Wind was the first mount Smith has accepted here since he rode As Time Goes By in the 2021 Personal Ensign and his first local winner since he captured the same event two years earlier aboard Midnight Bisou. It was also the third time he’s won the Honorable Miss, his previous triumph in the filly and mare sprint fixture coming 26 years earlier, during the summer of 1998 with Furlough.
So what possessed Smith to make the long flight from California to ride at Saratoga for the first time in three years?
“Any time Saffie calls, you don’t ask why, you just get on the plane,” Smith said with a laugh.
Smith teamed up with Spirit Wind for the first time eight weeks prior, guiding the 5-year-old daughter of Bahamian Squall to a very popular and easy 3 1/2-length victory at Lone Star in the Memorial Day Sprint. She received a career-best 98 Beyer Speed Figure for that performance and the Hall of Fame rider said he thought she was even better on Wednesday.
“On paper, I didn’t think I’d make the lead as easily as I did,” Smith said in the winner’s circle after the race. “But when I was warming her up, I said 'I’m not going to be able to keep her off the lead.' She warmed up with a lot of energy today. Saffie did his job and I just made sure she kept running. When I reached back and gave her a few little reminders, she responded and probably beat them even easier than it looked. She was a better filly today [than] when she was in Texas.”
Spirit Wind was briefly headed for the lead after the start of the Honorable Miss before quickly sprinting on top and getting clear in the run down the backstretch. Spirit Wind shook off Munnys Gold, the 3-2 favorite, upon settling into the stretch, withstood a bid from Clearly Unhinged through the furlong grounds, and then held off a final surge by Accede.
Accede raced within easy striking distance, about three lengths off the leader, leaving the backstretch, angled out for clearance to launch her bid upon settling into the stretch, and finished willingly but could not get to the winner. Clearly Unhinged, prominent from the outset, gave way through the final furlong to finish another half-length farther back in third. She was followed by a tiring Munnys Gold and Sterling Silver, who trailed throughout.
Joseph trains Spirit Wind for Miller Racing LLC, who purchased the 5-year-old mare privately from her breeder, Jacks or Better Farm, following her victory in the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl at Gulfstream Park in her 2023 finale. She completed six furlongs in 1:10.36 seconds and returned $12.00.
“I think she’s as good as anybody at six furlongs and this was a big performance today,” said Joseph, who also won the Grade 3 Schuylerville on opening day with The Queens M. G. “Seven furlongs stretches her out a bit against the best competition. Today, she made the lead pretty easily against some fast horses. I’m so thankful she was able to hang on and get a big win on her résumé.”
Joseph said he would likely skip the Grade 1 Ballerina at seven furlongs on Aug. 24, which is next local major sprint for fillies and mares.
“We’re going to consider it [the Ballerina] but we might also think about the seven-eighth race at Charles Town [the $500,000 Pink Ribbon on Aug. 2] because it’s a two turn configuration. And then go against the boys in the Breeders’ Cup.”
The Breeders’ Cup Sprint is decided at six furlongs while the Filly and Mare Sprint is run at seven furlongs.
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