Historic Heart outduels Proven Innocent in Smithwick for the ages

©Tod Marks

Atlantic Friends Racing’s Historic Heart completed a long road back from injury with a spectacular nose victory over Bruton Street-US’ Proven Innocent in today’s Grade 1 $150,000 A.P. Smithwick at Saratoga.

With visiting Irishman Danny Mullins aboard for trainer Keri Brion, Historic Heart sat in second for most of the 2 3/8 mile contest behind pacesetter longtime Kitten Around. He took the lead from the gusty leader after the final fence and withstood a last-to-first rally on the outside by Proven Innocent and Jamie Bargary, the same strategy that duo used to capture the recent G 1 Beverly Steinman Stakes at the Spa.

Proven Innocent hooked up with Historic Heart in the stretch and the duo battled noses apart to the wire, with Historic Heart getting the nod by the smallest of margins.

Historic Heart won the prestigious Harry Harris four-year-old stakes at Far Hills in 2021, and the 2022 Carolina Cup novice stakes. He was second at 10-1 to Belfast Banter in the 2023 Smithwick, and went to the sidelines for 21 months after that.