Turf Champion English Channel is represented by a trio of runners in Saturday's GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. at Belmont, headed by Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R.A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred's Channel Maker (English Channel), listed at 7-2 on the morning line. The winner of this test last season, the Bill Mott trainee annexed the GI Man o' War S. earlier this May and reeled off a trio of fourth-place efforts subsequently, including in Saratoga's 11-furlong GII Bowling Game S. July 27 followed by the GI Sword Dancer S. Aug. 24. John Velazquez gets the call on the 5-year-old.
“He's run three good races since the Man o' War,” said Randy Hill of R. A. Hill Stables. “He's a hard horse to ride and he's had some bad trips in his last few starts, so with the right trip he should be able to run his race. One of the biggest pluses is the fact that it's Belmont and we know he likes the surface. We'll see what the jockey switch does.”
Also likely to get some play at the windows is Channel Cat (English Channel), who finished third in the June 22 GI United Nations S. before wiring the field in the aforementioned Bowl Green. Coming from just off the pace last time in the Sword Dancer, the Todd Pletcher pupil tired late to be third. Luis Saez returns to ride. Cross Border (English Channel) rounds out the Channel trio. Trained by Mike Maker, he enters this off a three-race win skein, including his latest going nine furlongs in a statebred optional claimer at the Spa Aug. 29.
“He's very consistent and a solid performer. He always shows up and runs well,” said Pletcher. “We've been pointing for this race since Saratoga so, hopefully, he puts in a good effort. I think he's versatile. If there's someone intent on having the lead, that's fine. If it ends up being a toddling pace, he can take control so we have to see how it all shakes out.”
Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy), winner of the 2017 GI Sword Dancer, recorded his latest victory in the GII Mac Diarmida S. in March of 2018, and while winless in nine races since, he did manage to hit the board in five Grade I races, including his latest when a neck second in the Sword Dancer.
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