Far Bridge Denies War Like Goddess, Leads Home English Channel 1-2 in Turf Classic

09/28/2024 03:04 PM

The late English Channel was himself a two-time winner of the race now known as the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, scoring in 2006 and 2007, the last of which preceded a victory in the Monmouth bog in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf a handful of weeks later. George Krikorian's outstanding turf distaffer War Like Goddess (English Channel) was in search of an unprecedented third straight win against the boys in the 12-furlong contest, but LSU Stables' 'TDN Rising Star' FAR BRIDGE (c, 4, English Channel–Fitpitcher, by Kitten's Joy)–whose dam sire won the 2004 Turf Classic and accounted for 2015 winner Big Blue Kitten–was patiently ridden by Joel Rosario, slipped through at the inside with less than a furlong to race and outfinished the mare to lead home a 1-2 finish for the late stallion. Whereas Joel Rosario surprised the field in the GI Sword Dancer Stakes by leading through slow fractions, Far Bridge was taken back to second last, with only War Like Goddess trailing him, as Get Smokin (Get Stormy) controlled the pace while being tracked through by favored Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). The Godolphin runner inherited the lead fully three furlongs out when the pacesetter dropped anchor and went for home, but Junior Alvarado had gone for the two-time defending champion in the meantime and were up into a challenging position from second nearing the stretch. The 7-year-old mare went to Silver Knott at midstretch and looked on her way, but Far Bridge was in full gear by this stage, riding the rails to hit the lead where the chute intersects the course proper and fought off a resurgent War Like Goddess for the victory. Lifetime Record: 13-6-3-2. O-LSU Stables; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Christophe Clement.

FAR BRIDGE gets it done in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes with @JRosarioJockey up for @clementstable! pic.twitter.com/9vFdpiKuD3

— NYRA ( ) (@TheNYRA) September 28, 2024

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