CARTER H. (gr. I ), Aqueduct , April 06, 2013 , $400,000 Guaranteed , value of race $400,000 , 3 yo's & up , 7 furlongs , 1:21.44 Dirt FT .

Silverton Hill’s Swagger Jack secured his first career stakes win April 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack when the 5-year-old son of Smart Strike seized the lead in midstretch then held off two-time grade II winner Sahara Sky to win the Carter Handicap (gr. I).

After knocking on the door in a pair of graded stakes races this year at Gulfstream Park, Swagger Jack broke through at the highest level in the Carter.

Swagger Jack was bred in Virginia by the late Edward P. Evans, and he was purchased by Tom Hamilton’s Silverton Hill for $280,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale. Trainer Marty Wolfson said he was confident Swagger Jack would have enough early speed in the Carter to set up his late run.

“I was very confident in this horse,” Wolfson said after Swagger Jack became the latest graded stakes winner for Silverton Hill, joining standouts such as Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner Dominican and multiple graded stakes winner Havelock.

Swagger Jack’s victory adds another stakes winner to the more than 200 bred by Evans, who died in 2010. A member of The Jockey Club, Evans owned Spring Hill Farm in Virginia and was recognized as TOBA’s National Breeder of the Year in 2009.

Swagger Jack, by Smart Strike—Lyrical Prayer, by The Minstrel, has deep roots in Evans’ breeding program. Unraced Lyrical Prayer, also bred by Evans, is out of the winning Gallant Man mare Belle Gallante, who also was bred by Evans. Swagger Jack’s third dam is the 1954 Better Self mare Prayer Bell, who was bred in Kentucky by Greentree Stud.

Swagger Jack is a half brother to grade II winner Tap Dance, a daughter of Pleasant Tap; and stakes winner Grand Prayer, a daughter of Grand Slam. Lyrical Prayer has produced grade I-winning filly Malibu Prayer, by Malibu Moon. Belle Gallante is a half sister to 1969 champion 2-year-old male Silent Screen and two other stakes winners.

Swagger Jack also adds to Smart Strike’s long line of success as he becomes the 13th grade I or group I winner for the two-time leading sire. Through April 7, Smart Strike boasted 51 graded stakes winners and 92 stakes winners. Other added-money winners this year for Smart Strike include grade III winner Scarlet Strike, grade II winner Centre Court, and Dynamic Strike. Smart Strike stands for $85,000 at Lane’s End near Versailles, Ky.—F.A.

GULFSTREAM PARK H. (gr. II ), Gulfstream Park , March 09, 2013 , $300,000 Guaranteed , value of race $300,000 , 4 yo's & up , 1 mile , 1:35.17 Dirt FT .

E. Paul Robsham Stables’ 4-year-old homebred Discreet Dancer represented his family well when he won the March 9 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II), becoming the second stakes winner for his dam West Side Dancer. The 51/4–length score marked the fourth victory in five starts for the son of Discreet Cat. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the chestnut colt has now earned $313,150.

The Massachusetts-based racing outfit E. Paul Robsham Stables, which Joyce Robsham named in honor of her late husband, is now hoping to experience a banner year as in 2012 when it campaigned other graded stakes winners Awesome Maria, Broadway’s Alibi, and R Holiday Mood.

Robsham bought Discreet Dancer’s winning dam by Gone West for $250,000 out of Book One of the 2004 Keeneland September yearling sale from Lane’s End, agent.

The mare’s second dam, stakes-placed Lassie’s Lady (by Alydar), is a half sister to European champion Wolfhound. She is also a half sister to grade III winner Weekend Surprise, the dam of classic winners Summer Squall and two-time leading sire A.P. Indy.

West Side Dancer’s first foal is 2011 Swale Stakes (gr. II) winner Travelin Man (by Trippi), an earner of more than $250,000 who also races for Robsham and is trained by Pletcher.

The decision behind the mating of the Gulfstream Park Handicap winner, was a simple one.

“Since Mrs. Robsham also bred and raced (gr. I winner) Discreet Cat, she always sends at least two mares to him (each season) and the Gone West mare was a great match,” explained Robsham Stables racing manager Anna Ford.

The resulting foal, Discreet Dancer, was foaled, raised, and broken at Ocala Stud.

“He was always a straightforward, nice individual,” said Ocala Stud assistant farm manager David O’Farrell. “He seemed athletic; we were high on him from day one. We’re thrilled, but not surprised he turned out to be a nice horse.”

“His transformation from 3 to 4 has been huge—he’s really grown into himself,” added Ford. “He’s always shown ability and has been a first-class horse.”

Robsham Stables sold West Side Dancer privately to Ocala Stud after she had a full sister to Discreet Dancer (Sweet N Discreet) in 2010. The 10-year-old mare delivered a Bernardini filly Feb. 15. She is booked to High Cotton for 2014.

Discreet Cat, the sire of seven stakes winners, stands for $12,500 at Darley near Lexington.—E.M.