Tag: Racing

Channel Maker Takes His Second Edition Of The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Gate To Wire

Accomplished Channel Maker had things all his way in Saturday's Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, leading the 1 1/2-mile contest gate to wire with jockey Manny Franco. Franco hustled the 6-year-old gelding out of the gate early and faced initial pressure from rival Cross Border going into the first turn. After Cross Border settled a bit, Franco was able to slow the pace somewhat, going from a :22.89 opening quarter to a :49.41 half mile. As closers began rallying going into the sweeping Belmont turn, Franco asked Channel Maker for run early into the turn, and pressed him in the last furlong, where he kept daylight between himself and Laccario. The Bill Mott trainee was never seriously threatened and finished with his characteristic high-headed running style.

Mott also saddled the winner of the G2 Gallant Bloom earlier in the card.

The final time was 2:25.99. Laccario finished second, followed by Sadler's Joy. Channel Maker went off at odds of 5-2 and paid $7.60 to win. Favored Rockemperor (IRE) was fifth.

This is Channel Maker's second victory in the Joe Hirsch, including his win in the 2018 edition. He was second in last year's race.

He is owned by Gary Barter, Wachtel Stable, R.A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. His previous credits include a win last out in the G1 Sword Dancer as well as last year's G1 Man o' War, and the G2 Bowling Green in 2018.

Channel Maker was bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm and is the son of English Channel and Horse Chestnut (SAF) mare In Return.

See the full chart here.

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Fire At Will Upsets Public Sector In Belmont’s Pilgrim

Kendrick Carmouche put Three Diamonds Farm's Fire At Will on the lead shortly after the start of Saturday's Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes, and the son of Declaration of War never looked back, scoring an easy two-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 2-year-olds.

Public Sector, the 4-5 favorite for trainer Chad Brown, closed under Javier Castellano to be second but was never a threat to the winner. Step Dancer finished third and Shawdyshawdyshawdy finished fourth in the field of six.

Trained by Mike Maker, Fire At Will paid $29 for the win after covering the distance on firm turf in 1:43.46.

Sixth in his only previous turf race, a 1 1/16-mile maiden event at Saratoga, Fire At Will was the only stakes winner in the field, having won the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga on Sept. 2 — a race that was taken off the grass and run at seven furlongs on a sloppy main track.

Following that victory, Maker shipped him to Kentucky where Fire At will trained up to the Pilgrim at the Churchill Downs trackside training center.

In the Pilgrim, Fire At Will posted fractions of :25.58, :50.35, 1:15.09 and 1:37.67 en route to his final time. He opened a commanding 3 1/2-length lead at the furlong pole and coasted home for the victory.

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Frank’s Rockette Blasts Off In Grade 2 Gallant Bloom, Leaving Older Rivals Behind

Frank's Rockette made quick work of older females in Saturday's Grade 2 Gallant Bloom, galloping away from the field with minimal encouragement from jockey Junior Alvarado. The 3-year-old was heavily favored at 1-5 when the gates opened, and validated horseplayers' confidence as she assumed a stalking third position out of the gate in the six and a half furlong contest. A quarter mile in, she took over second from rival Bertranda. A quarter of a mile later, Alvarado asked the Bill Mott trainee for a bit of run, and she easily surpassed front-running Pacific Gale, taking the two path to an easy lead just out of the turn and quickly putting at least eight lengths on the field, then gearing down before the wire to an easy canter.

The final time was 1:16.12. Honor Way finished second, followed by Royal Charlotte.

Frank's Rockette paid $2.70 to win.

The race was the fourth win in a row for Frank's Rockette, following her victories in the G2 Prioress, G3 Victory Ride and an allowance/optional claimer this spring. She has never finished out of the money for owner/breeder Frank Fletcher. Her record includes second-place efforts in last year's G1 Frizette, Spinaway, and Adirondack.

The Gallant Bloom was the second win on the card for Alvarado.

Frank's Rockette is the Kentucky-bred daughter of Into Mischief and Indian Charlie mare Rocket Twentyone.

See the full chart here.

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