Smokey Stover

Smokey Stover

2003, Put It Back - Milady's Halo, by Jolie's Halo

Breeder: Arthur Appleton (Fl.)

Owner: Harry Aleo

Trainer: Greg Gilchrist

Regular Rider: Aaron Gryder

Pedigree

Smokey Stover
Put It Back
Milady's Halo
Honour and Glory
Miss Shoplifter
Jolie's Halo
Milaoshu
Relaunch
Fair to All
Exuberant
Articulate Robbery
Halo
Jolie Jolie
Fappiano
Turtle Cove

Purchase Info

Sold for $140,000 at 2005 Fasig-Tipton May 2yo sale by Bridlewood Farm to Greg Gilchrist.

Race Record

AgeStarts1st2nd3rdEarnings 
37340$97,725
47501$471,000

At 3: 1– Stinson Beach S., 2– Saguaro S.

At 4: 1– Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup H. (G2), Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Sprint H. (G3), Icecapade S., Sunshine Millions Padua Stables Sprint S., 3– Smile Sprint H. (G2)

Last Start

Won Icecapade S. on September 1 at Monmouth

Contender Status

Owner Harry Aleo and trainer Greg Gilchrist have become a familiar team since campaigning Lost in the Fog, winner of an Eclipse Award in 2005 as outstanding sprinter, although he could only finish seventh in that year's TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).

The duo is back with a new sprint candidate in the form of Smokey Stover, a three-time graded stakes winner who has eight wins, four seconds, and a third in 13 career starts.

Smokey Stover hasn't shipped around the country as much as Lost in the Fog did. In fact, other than a trip to Turf Paradise last year, his first cross-country venture came on July 7 when he was sent to Calder Race Course where he finished third in the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2).

Gilchrist sent Smokey Stover to Monmouth Park for the September 1 Icecapade Stakes with a purpose in mind.

"We're looking at one more start before the Breeders' Cup," he said. "I don't think it can hurt to have a race over the track."

Gilchrist got a race over the track as well as a victory as Smokey Stover, favored at 1-to-10 odds, shook off an early challenge by Cougar Cat and never relinquished the lead,pulling away late for a two-length victory in a smart 1:08.82.

"The race unfolded the way we thought it would," Gilchrist said. "He's not truly a speed horse, and we figured [Cougar Cat] would be watching us and we'd be watching [him]. He finished well and I was happy to see that.

"I usually give it 48 hours before making plans, but the Breeders' Cup is the plan right now. We'll take him back home [Northern California] and if he's really doing well and a race comes up, he might have another start between now and the Breeders' Cup."

Gilchrist subsequently considered the Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Stakes (G1) on October 7 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita, but has been steadily discarding that idea.

"If the field came up very, very light, there's a slight possibility we would run [in the Ancient Title], but right now, I'd say we'll train up to the Breeders' Cup Sprint," Gilchrist said.

Recent Works

October 22 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:01.80 at Monmouth Park, track fast. 14th best of 26 workouts at the distance.

"It's just what we wanted," trainer Greg Gilchrist said after the October 22 workout. "I certainly didn't want him to leave his race out there today. That last work of his [October 14] was when we really wanted to get something out of him.
"Today we just put a little air in him."

October 14 - Five furlongs handily in :58.20 at Bay Meadows Race Course, track fast. Best of 44 workouts at the distance.

October 6 - Four furlongs handily in :48.20 at Bay Meadows Race Course, track fast. Fifth best of 29 workouts at the distance.

September 28 - Five furlongs handily in :59.20 at Bay Meadows Race Course, track fast. Best of 15 workouts at the distance.

Quotable

Trainer Greg Gilchrist, after Smokey Stover finished third in the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) at Calder Race Course on July 7:

"He got a good start but he never looked comfortable. That's part of the deal when you come down here [where some horses don't like the track]. But at least he tried--it's not like he didn't try to run. If running third in a Grade 2 is the worst thing that happens, then we're doing good."