NEW KENT, Va.--Jamie Bargery rode the winners of both steeplechases races at Colonial Downs on Monday, Aug. 15, coming from behind in the Maiden on Bandua and leading all the way in the Ratings Handicap on Fightinirishtapit.
Daniel Denefrio's Fightinirishtapit,, trained by Ricky Hendriks, won the $30,000, 2 1/4 mile Ratings Handicap by 13 3/4 lengths over Make a Stand, trained and ridden by Graham Watters,and Criticize, trained by Neil Morris.
"Fightinirishtapit is a full brother to Mr. Hot Stuff, the Eclipse Award winner trained by Jack Fisher," said Hendriks. "Mr. Denefrio claimed him for $6,000 in 2019."
Fightinirishtapit was second at Aiken in a maiden special weight over hurdles and then won a maiden special weight race at Charleston for Hendriks in 2019.
"When Covid hit, his owner said to just turn him out," said Hendriks.
The gelding only ran three times in 2021, once on the flat, and then ran third at Aiken last March.
"There were only four horses in the race, and nobody wanted to go to the lead, so Jamie said he'd go," said Hendriks.
THAT PLAN worked well as Fightinirishtapit galloped comfortably in front and drew off in the stretch to a big lead and the win by 13 3/4 lengths, finishing in 4:08.00.
"We haven't decided yet where he'll go next," said Hendriks, who is training more flat horses than jumpers right now.
"It just shifts," said Hendriks. "I have more flat horses now, but I love the jumpers. A few of the flat horses switch and will run over fences."
Michael A. Smith's Bandua, trained by Morris, won the $40,000, 2 1/4 mile Maiden Special Weight by 2 lengths over Seismic Wave, also trained by Morris, and Honor Up, trained by Leslie Young, finishing in 4:09.85.
Running in the back of the nine horse field early, Bandua slowly moved up through the closely bunched field, made a big move on the turn to go to the lead and drew off for the win.
Bandua had been a stakes winner on the flat for Calumet in this country after winning twice in Ireland in 2018.
Bandua won the G3 Arlington Handicap and was third in the G1 Arlington Million in 2019 before finishing 10th in the G1 Breeders Cup turf.
He didn't run in 2020 and was third in an allowance at Keeneland before being bought by Smith.