English Channel's Channel Maker Runs Away with Joe Hirsch

Channel MakerSarah K Andrew

On Belmont's Super Saturday program some 11 years ago, English Channel (Smart Strike) successfully defended his title in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, becoming one of three top-level winners for his late sire on the program, before following up four weeks late with a towering seven-length success in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf down the road at Monmouth Park. Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber's Channel Maker will have a chance to follow in his sire's considerable hoofprints after repelling a stretch challenge from even-money Robert Bruce (Chi) (Fast Company {Ire}) to earn a fees-paid berth into the Turf.

Drawn widest in the field of seven, the Ontario-bred was ridden for speed by Jose Ortiz, deputizing for Joel Rosario, and made the front with a minimum amount of fuss before the slow-starting European raider Teodoro (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) rolled up to apply some token pressure. Carrick (Giant's Causeway), well-bet while facing older stakes rivals for the first time, found a cozy spot in third just ahead of Robert Bruce, who saved all the ground through the middle stages. The front-running duo put as many as eight lengths on the rest of the field passing the half-mile marker, but Carrick began to back-pedal midway on the turn while Robert Bruce was traveling ominously well. It appeared as if Channel Maker might be there for the taking in upper stretch, but Robert Bruce, who may have struggled with the easy conditions underfoot, could not sustain what appeared to be a winning bid, and Channel Maker drew clear to win going away.

“He wants to be on the lead,” said Ortiz. “He doesn't want a big hold taken of him. I think they found the right thing. They told me today to try to be on the lead and slow it down, and that's what I did. Bill is a great trainer. He was 100% ready, and when I asked him, he took off.”

A restricted stakes winner at two, Channel Maker was fourth in last year's Queen's Plate before adding the Breeders' S. at Woodbine. Runner-up to Mo Town (Uncle Mo) in last year's GI Hollywood Derby, the chestnut gelding returned to winning ways in the July 28 GII Bowling Green S. in similarly soft conditions at Saratoga, dead-heating with Glorious Empire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), and was a clear second to that foe in the GI Sword Dancer Invitational S. at the Spa Aug. 25.

Pedigree Notes:
A full-brother to reigning 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 just shy of 20 years ago. 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 2-year-old Court Vision filly named Court Return who races for her breeder and trainer Josie Carroll.

Saturday, Belmont Park
JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC S.-GI, $500,000, Belmont, 9-29, 3yo/up, 1 1/2mT, 2:30.73, sf.
1–CHANNEL MAKER, 126, g, 4, 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
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($57,000 RNA Ylg '15 KEESEP). O-Wachtel
Stable & Gary Barber; B-Tall Oaks Farm (ON); T-William I.
Mott; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $275,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo Colt-
Can, 20-4-4-3, $1,090,000. *Full to Johnny Bear, Ch. Turf Male-
Can, MGISW, $689,265. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”bsw-bloodstock-purchased-privately”][bullet ad=”ontario-bred”]2–Robert Bruce (Chi), 126, c, 4, Fast Company (Ire)–Lady Pelusa
(Arg), by Orpen. O-Convento Viejo LLC; B-Haras Convento
Viejo (CHI); T-Chad C. Brown. $100,000.
3–Sadler's Joy, 126, h, 5, Kitten's Joy–Dynaire, by Dynaformer.
O/B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Thomas Albertrani. $60,000.[bullet ad=”broken-trained-at-webster-training-center”][bullet ad=”eqb-cardioclient”][bullet ad=”timber-town-foaled”]Margins: 4HF, 5HF, 2HF. Odds: 5.00, 1.15, 6.80.
Also Ran: Highland Sky, Teodoro (Ire), Carrick, Spring Quality. Scratched: Hi Happy (Arg). Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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