In case anyone was worried that the turf marathon would be boring, how's your heart rate after this finish? It was a battle down to the wire, but class prevailed as MGISW Far Bridge (English Channel) made a successful 2025 seasonal bow in the GIII Pan American Stakes.
Far Bridge was last seen Nov. 2 fading to ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf but had come into that championship race with back-to-back elite victories under his belt in Belmont Big A's Sept. 28 GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes and Saratoga's Aug. 24 GI Sword Dancer Stakes. He'd captured another New York Grade I in 2023 when he claimed the GI Belmont Derby while in the care of Todd Pletcher.
The 4-5 favorite was content to watch Corruption (Medaglia d'Oro) as that one put up all the fractions, but the pace was not doing the leader any favors early through :23.67, :47.67, and 1:11.30 splits. Far Bridge, tucked on the rail in fifth, had to muscle his way to clear racing room on the second turn when it appeared Cash Equity (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) might try to take his opening. Managing to secure his lane for a ground saving trip, he had Corruption in his sights as the field closed ranks up the backstretch. On the attack coming off the final turn as the longtime leader tried to give them the slip, the pair locked horns down to the wire in a race neither deserved to lose, but one which ultimately had to be decided as Far Bridge got the better of Corruption by a neck. Padiddle (Empire Maker) claimed third as a massive 43-1 longshot.
The final time of 2:22.73 for the mile and a half marathon was one-tenth of a second off the track record set in 2013 by Twilight Eclipse.
“He's always shown an affinity for Gulfstream,” said Miguel Clement, the assistant trainer to Christophe Clement. It was the latter's fourth victory in the race. “I think he's four-for-four. His works have been very promising. He ran true to form. They just ran in 2:22 and change, so I feel like he was tight enough. He ran very well. It was definitely impressive.”
“We'll go [GII] Man o' War, [GI] Manhattan. Those are the two most logical spots. Class prevailed today.”
Rider Joel Rosario added, “I thought we were going to be more forwardly placed. The pace was a little bit faster. Going into the first turn I had to take a little hold. But everything worked out good. He was the best horse in the race. I was just trying to give him a good trip.”
Pedigree Note:
Far Bridge is the most accomplished of his dam's offspring by far, but is also only one of three that Fitpitcher produced before passing away. Her 2021 full-sibling to Far Bridge was stillborn. His eldest full-sister Expect has produced two foals of her own with the most recent being a yearling filly by Editorial named Emma's Joy. His other winning sibling is Bali Belle (Bal a Bali {Brz}). This is the immediate female family of GSW Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy).
What game efforts from FAR BRIDGE ($3.80) and runner-up Corruption in the $215,000 Pan American Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. @clementstable conditions the 5YO horse for owners @lsu_stables. @JRosarioJockey was in the irons.
White Abarrio in the next: https://t.co/n8J7Nf7oIJ pic.twitter.com/LUqyxtBewg
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025
Saturday, Gulfstream
PAN AMERICAN S. PRESENTED BY ROOD & RIDDLE-GIII, $200,000, Gulfstream, 3-29, 4yo/up, 1 1/2mT, 2:22.73, fm.
1–FAR BRIDGE, 124, h, 5, by English Channel
1st Dam: Fitpitcher, by Kitten's Joy
2nd Dam: Teenage Temper, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Pleasant Temper, by Storm Cat
'TDN Rising Star'. O-LSU Stables; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Christophe Clement; J-Joel Rosario. $120,280. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 15-7-3-2, $1,922,980. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Corruption, 118, g, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Thundering Sky, by Sky Mesa. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($220,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $220,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Harry Colburn; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $38,800.
3–Padiddle, 118, g, 5, Empire Maker–Belle Chaussee, by Giant's Causeway. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($205,000 Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $250,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Imaginary Stables; B-Frankfort Park Farm (KY); T-Fernando Abreu. $19,400.
Margins: NK, 3 3/4, 1. Odds: 0.90, 10.00, 43.40.
Also Ran: Il Siciliano, Cash Equity (Fr), Tawny Port, Better Bet, Capture the Flag. Scratched: Lorenz (Brz).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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