LSU Stables' Far Bridge repelled the strong rally of favorite The Foxes and won the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) Saturday at Belmont Park.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Far Bridge won by one length and finished 1 1/4-mile turf contest in 2:01.75.
An English Channel colt, Far Bridge broke through for his first stakes win and third win overall from five career starts while rebounding from a pair of seconds in Grade 2 races in his previous starts: the American Turf May 6 at Churchill Downs and Pennine Ridge June 3 at Belmont. He was ready to fire Saturday and got the job done for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Mondego was out to set the tempo and laid down fractions of :23.71, :50.06, and 1:14.89 while Far Bridge bided his time from seventh, then sixth, and Irish-bred The Foxes relaxed next to last in the field of 11.
Far Bridge was roused while inside on the far turn, angled out in early stretch and rallied strongly in the final furlong before gaining command in the final sixteenth. The Foxes, fifth in early stretch under Oisin Murphy, was full of run, closed with determination when called upson, and put his nose in front of 41-1 longshot Mondego but could not get the winner.
British-bred Mondego held on for third.
Far Bridge, who bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, was produced by the Kitten's Joy mare Fitpitcher. He returned $8.70 for the win.
Belmont Derby Invitational Quotes:
Todd Pletcher, winning trainer of Far Bridge: “We got a fortunate trip today. Everything worked out. We were able to save some ground pretty much around both turns, especially the far turn. We knew he had a good closing kick, we just needed to be in position to deliver it. I really liked the way he was moving around the turn and then when he got clear in the stretch, I knew he'd keep coming. We always felt like the added distance was going to be to his advantage.”
On privately acquiring Far Bridge following his second start: “They [owner LSU Stable] really liked the horse and they made a serious offer on him. They deserve any success they have with the horse.”
On targeting the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 5 at Saratoga Race Course: “I think that's a logical next target.”
Jose Ortiz: “I rode him one time [a win in March at Gulfstream] and I think that helped, but every race developed differently. Unfortunately, last time he was in some trouble but the horse doesn't help himself – he lugs in a little bit and that can get you into trouble and that's what happened last time. It's nothing [Joel] Rosario did wrong, the horse looks for it. We've been working for him to try and get him straight. Todd has been working with his bit and I think we finally nailed him. He went straight today but I think the trip helped him because he was on the rail, so he can't lug in no more. He cut the corner on the quarter-pole – beautiful trip – and when I tip him out, he exploded. It was a nice kick in the end.
“I knew the 11 [The Foxes] was behind me. I tried to look for him on the back side and couldn't see him. I could see the Klaravich horse [No. 10, Redistricting]. I knew he was behind me and Oisin [Murphy, aboard The Foxes] is a very smart rider and I knew he would be following me and my horse was one of the tougher horses in the race and he is very smart. So, I guess he was following me and he was because he told me after the wire [laughs].”
On the race to win the riding title at the Belmont spring/summer meet: “I'm taking it one race at a time. I've put myself in a great position to win it right now, but I remember when Eric [Cancel] won six the last day of Aqueduct [2021 winter meet] and caught Kendrick [Carmouche]. Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] could wake up and win six. So, I take it day-by-day and race-by-race. I put the work in and if I get it, I get it.”
Anna Lisa Balding, wife of Andrew Balding, the trainer of runner-up The Foxes (No. 11) and general manager of their Park House Stables, Kingsclere operation: “His final furlong must have been a very quick one. He's run a hell of a race. Unfortunately, he didn't break well enough and didn't deserve to win after breaking like that. He took a while to get into stride. I think the 10 furlongs is the right trip for him. Oisin [Murphy] said he finished with lots of horse under him, so I think he has a Group 1 in him, we just have to find the right one.”
On a potential start in the Saratoga Derby: “He might well do. We'll see how he comes out of this.”
Oisin Murphy: “He stood to jump and was a little slow away. I followed the winner but I wanted to sit closer in the run. The winner got first run on me as we turned into the straight and The Foxes picked up brilliantly, but I'd have loved to have been more forward in the run.”
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