Kiser recap

©Tod Marks

Irish-bred Mr. Percy blossoms in fourth NSA start

After coming over from Europe following four wins in 14 carer outings, Shannon Hill Farm’s Mr. Percy has made the most of his National Steeplechase Association starts in the spring.

In his initial try at Foxfield in April, he closed ground to finish a close third to Riverdee Stable stars Cyber Ninja and Rocket One in the Van Clief Memorial novice stakes, then just missed against Rocket One in the prestigious Marcellus Frost stakes for novices at the Iroquois Races in May. Next out, in a flat race for jumpers at Colonial Downs in June, in which he was a sharp fourth despite being forced to check.

The six-year-old son of multi-millionaire Grade 1 winner (Epsom Derby) winner Sir Percy put it all together on Thursday, with a determined three-quarter-length victory over one of his rivals, Cyber Ninja, in $75,000 Jonathan Kiser memorial at Saratoga.

With four-time leading rider Graham Watters aboard for his new primary trainer, Neil Morris, Mr. Percy was content to race alongside six of his foes as Paul and Molly Willis and Devon Smith’s Doctor Love (Evan Dwan), scooted off to an unchallenged lead of as much as 15 lengths in the 2 3/8 mile contest. Doctor Love held the lead until mid stretch the final time around, when his stride began to shorten.

At this point, those in closest pursuit were Mr. Percy, who launched his bid on the far outside, Cyber Ninja (Jamie Bargary), Morning March (Freddie Procter), and Lord Flintshire (Stephen Mulqueen). Cyber Ninja quickly cut to the inside with about a sixteenth of a mile or so remaining to gain a clear lead. But Mr. Percy was full of run, too, and the duo separated themselves from the field and waged a spirited battle to the wire. It was another seven or so lengths back to Del Rio Racing’s Lyches Knock.

For those who keep an eye on the wagering, Mr. Percy was the slight $2.59-1 betting favorite over Cyber Ninja, $2.83-1.