Against a strong man Vae’s patron , Quick decision won the $200,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle Stakes (NSA-G1) at Percy Warner in Nashville, Tenn. The May 11 victory marked his third victory in the event.
The three-mile Iroquois is the longest of the National Steeplechase Association’s Grade 1 races. Racers carry an equal weight of 158 pounds.
Vae Patron, who led for most of the race before being overtaken over the second-to-last barrier by Snap Decision, tried to get back to the winner but was unable to overtake him in the stretch. Iroquois marks Vae Patron’s first start in the United States after previously campaigning in France.
Champion Zabeel run third.
Graham Watters has joined Snap Decision for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Fisher and owner Bruton Street-US.
“He should be called Mr. Iroquois,” Watters said proudly of his horse.
Quick decision to do it!!! 3-Time Iroquois $200,000 G1 Winner!! 😍 This horse… is truly a warrior. 💙💛💙💛 #tnsteeplechase pic.twitter.com/WLz1S9Q7Xd
— Megan Connolly (@MegConn15) May 11, 2024
Snap Decision, a 10-year-old castrated boy of Pull hard out of the unrestrained mare Salute, is a half-brother to the graded winner Mr. speaker , Fire away And Road of vigilance . He was bred by Phipps Stable in Kentucky and raced for Phipps Stable trainer and Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey in flat races through the end of 2018. He was then developed by Fisher into a performer. elite hurdlers compete over fences.
A strong finish for the Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Chase, with Navan man Graham Watters topping the Snap Decision for Jack Fisher. The 3rd time these three have combined to win this race 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZVc0zqxqQV
— Brian Arnold (@heyarnoldb) May 11, 2024
