Saratoga: Far Bridge powers to victory in Bowling Green
Three-time Grade 1 winner Far Bridge validated his 1-2 favoritism with a commanding, three-length victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2), a 1 3/8-mile, inner-turf test for only four older horses at Saratoga.
Trained by Miguel Clément, the 5-year-old English Channel bay was much the best as he stretched to the distance of his Man o’ War (G2) triumph in May at Belmont at the Big A. He exited that performance to a last-out, neck third behind stablemate Deterministic in the 1 1/8-mile Manhattan (G1) on June 8 at Saratoga.
Click here for Saratoga entries and results.
“I still think he’s good enough to compete at the highest level from a mile-and-an-eighth, a mile-and-three-sixteenths, to a mile-and-a-half,” Clément said. “When they’re that good, they can handle any sort of change and obstacle. They’re top class for a reason, and they can overcome any factors and adversity.”
Far Bridge, who boosted his earnings to $2,372,980, has flexed his class at longer distances. His Grade 1 scores include his traveling 1 1/2 miles last year in both the Sword Dancer in August on firm Spa turf and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic one month later on good Belmont at the Big A green.
“He can handle anything,” Clément said. “He won the Joe Hirsch from last in a complete bog last year. He won the Sword Dancer on very firm turf wire to wire. The ground doesn’t matter. He’s a top-class horse.”
With Joel Rosario aboard as usual, Far Bridge exited outermost post 4 smoothly and settled into second position as Todd Pletcher-trained Tucson sprinted to the front to post an opening quarter-mile in 24.44 seconds on the yielding turf.
The running order was Tucson, Far Bridge, Harrow and El Rezeen passing the wire for the first time, and it remained that way in the second turn and up the backside through splits of 48.66 and 1:14.83.
Far Bridge reeled in Tucson, who led by as many as 4 1/2 lengths early. That came shortly into the final turn. Far Bridge developed a 5 1/2-length advantage by the stretch call.
“I decided to go on the backside a little bit. It just looked like I had a lot of horse at that point, and he was moving really well,” Rosario said. “I know it was a little early, but he kind of just had too much horse at that point, so I kind of just have to let him find his stride, the stride that he has.”
Dylan Davis-piloted El Rezeen launched a wide bid from third position, but there was never much doubt as Far Bridge secured the victory with a final time of 2:15.38.
El Rezeen was a clear second with Harrow edging Tucson to complete the order of finish. Starting Over, Tawny Port, Webslinger, Corruption and main track-only entrants Yo Daddy, Kuchar and Game Warden were scratched after morning rain softened the course.
Randy Sarf of LSU Stables, the victorious owner, said winning at the Spa is always special, especially with a signature horse for the late trainer Christophe Clément.
“I was screaming like it was the biggest thing in the world. ... People thought I was having a heart attack,” Sarf said. “I’m blessed to have a horse like that and to be part of this game and have something like this. The Clément family is a big part of Far Bridge, my parents, my kids and everything.”
Clément said Far Bridge will “100%” look for a title defense in the $750,000 Sword Dancer on Aug. 9 at Saratoga. The race is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race in which Far Bridge finished ninth last year.
Far Bridge, who captured the Belmont Derby (G1) as a 3-year-old at Belmont Park, is out of winning Kitten’s Joy mare Fitpitcher. His second dam is winning A.P. Indy mare Teenage Temper, whose half-sister Pleasant Song produced Grade 2-winning millionaire Long Range Toddy. He banked $110,000 in victory while improving his record to 18: 9-3-3 and returning $3.10 for a $2 win bet.