War Front Stays Red Hot in River City

Claiborne Farm’s War Front picked up another win with the colt Smokin’ T in the GIII River City S. at Churchill Downs, where the colt demonstrated an improved ability to relax and finish well.

– War Front had another graded stakes winner in Smokin’ T at the GIII River City S.
– Smokin’ T finished well once he got in front and showed improvement in relaxing and not wasting as much energy during the race.
– War Front is the sire of a dozen stakes winners in 2023, nine of which have come at the graded-stakes level.

🚨 GSW #66 FOR WAR FRONT 🚨

Smokin’ T (4yo colt by WAR FRONT) flies home to take the G3 River City Stakes going 9 furlongs on the grass @ChurchillDowns.

Congratulations to owner/breeder DATTT Stable, trainer Shug McGaughey, and jockey @ljlmvel! https://t.co/TfoBLOIZYW

— Claiborne Farm (@claibornefarm) November 11, 2023

Claiborne Farm’s War Front added another winner to its roster on Breeders’ Cup Saturday as Smokin’ T emerged victorious in the $300,000 GIII River City S. at Churchill Downs. The horse, while occasionally difficult to manage, outpaced the competition, ‘surged to the front inside the eighth pole, and sailed clear’ to capture his first win of 2023. Assistant trainer Reeve McGaughey noted, “He’s always been a bit headstrong in the early part of his races. I think he did a better job relaxing today and not wasting as much energy.”

With Smokin’ T’s strong performance, War Front’s status as a sire of a dozen stakes winners and nine graded stakes winners in 2023 remains unambiguous. The 21-year-old’s impressive lineage includes GII Twilight Derby champion Seal Team (GB) and GIII Golden Gate H. victor War at Sea. On the dam side, Smokin’ T’s first dam, Wine Princess, commanded a high price at the 2010 Keeneland September Sale and clinched the GIII Monmouth Oaks as well as the GII Falls City H. before entering the breeding ranks. The colt’s success highlights the far-reaching influence of the War Front line in the racing world.

Inbred with a competitive pedigree that includes Ghostzapper and Azeri, Smokin’ T’s achievements underscore the continued strength of equine bloodlines. Furthermore, the colt’s rise to victory in the GIII River City S. speaks volumes about War Front’s enduring legacy and his capacity to produce competitive, successful offspring. The history of Smokin’ T and his illustrious relatives enjoins a rich tradition of excellence in horse racing that promises to endure for years to come.