Channel Maker (English Channel) added his second Grade I victory over the Belmont lawn Saturday, delivering a neck decision over Arklow (Arch) in the GI Man o’ War S. Channel Maker, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, wired the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic with a gaudy 108 Beyer Speed Figure the last time he stepped foot on the local lawn back in September, and was off the board in a pair of attempts at Gulfstream since, a fifth-place finish in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Jan. 26 and a fourth-place finish Zulu Alpha (Street Cry {Ire}) in the GII Mac Diarmida S. Mar. 2.
The 6-1 shot sat third early as Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB})Bone of two Aidan O’Brien invaders zipped out to take a clear lead through sharp fractions of :22.98 and :47.47. Hunting Horn, fourth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic last time Mar. 30, seemed like he might just forget to stop as he headed for home still with a significant advantage, but he grew leg weary by mid-stretch and the cavalry charge started to bear down on him.
Channel Maker was the first to collar him, and he kept on to the wire, holding off a flourish from Arklow, who rallied smartly from last of nine. The filly Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the other O’Brien runner who was runner-up in the Pegasus World Cup Turf, wasn’t far back in third, while Hunting Horn rounded out the super. “He’s a good horse and runs hard all the time,and winning rider Joel Rosario said. “I’m glad we got the money today.”
Rosario added, “I thought the horse [Hunting Horn] around the last turn might keep going, but I thought he was going too fast for the distance and the last half-furlong would be tough to get. I felt confident, and he’s[Channel Maker] the kind of horse that has a good, strong stride. The more you ride him, the more he gives to you.” On possibly making his next start in the GI Manhattan on Belmont S. Day, June 8, co-owner Randy Hill said, “I’ll leave that to Billy Mott, but I’m sure after the way he ran today that he’s got the Manhattan right on his radar.”
Pedigree Notes: A full-brother to Sovereign Award-winning turfer and two-time GI Northern Dancer S. hero Johnny Bear, Channel Maker hails from the extended female family of Lazy F Ranch’s outstanding turf distaffer Auntie Mame (Theatrical {Ire}), who won Belmont’s GI Flower Bowl Invitational. Channel Maker’s third dam also includes Grade I winner Star de Lady Ann (Star de Naskra). In Return’s last listed produce is a 3-year-old Court Vision maiden filly named Court Return who races for her breeder and trainer Josie Carroll. In Return was purchased by Tall Oaks Farm for $32,000 at the 2009 KEENOV Sale.
1–CHANNEL MAKER, 124, g, 5, by English Channel 1st Dam: In Return (SW), by Horse Chestnut (SAf) 2nd Dam: Bartered Bride, by Shadeed 3rd Dam: Lady Vixen, by Sir Ivor ($57,000 RNA Ylg ’15 KEESEP). O-Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; B-Tall Oaks Farm (ON); T-William I. Mott; J-Joel Rosario. $375,000. Lifetime Record: 24-5-4-3, $1,917,108. *Full to Johnny Bear, Ch. Turf Male & MGISW-Can, $702,706. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Arklow, 119, h, 5, Arch–Unbridled Empire, by Empire Maker. ($160,000 Ylg ’15 KEESEP). O-Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger & Peter Coneway; B-John & Frank Penn (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $130,000.
3–Magic Wand (Ire), 116, f, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Prudenzia (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (i1,400,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Tabor, Michael B., Magnier, Mrs. John, and Smith, Derrick; B-Ecurie Des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm Inc (IRE); T-Aidan P. O’Brien. $70,000. Margins: NK, HF, NK. Odds: 6.80, 6.20, 3.05.
Courtesy of TDN
