Channel Maker likely in Joe Hirsch next

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When trainer Bill Mott reached into the pocket of his rain slicker Saturday at Saratoga, he found his paddock pass to the 2019 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

“If that wasn’t an omen,” said Mott, who would ultimately win that Derby with Country House, who was put up to first by the stewards following the disqualification of Maximum Security.

No such aid was needed Saturday for Channel Maker, who was able to make an easy lead under Manny Franco en route to a 5 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga.

Channel Maker, a 6-year-old gelding by English Channel, relished the soft ground to record the third Grade 1 stakes of his career. He was given a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, equaling his career-best earned in winning the 2018 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, run over a soft Belmont Park turf course.

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Mott said Channel Maker would most likely be pointed to the Joe Hirsch on Oct. 3. Last year, Channel Maker finished second to Arklow in that race.

“If the right opportunity presents itself, I’d say we’ll let him out of the barn,” Mott said.

Channel Maker earned a fees-paid berth into the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

The Sword Dancer was Mott’s second Grade 1 of the meet. He earlier won the Grade 1 Coaching Club Oaks with Paris Lights.

Next Saturday, Mott will send out Tacitus as the likely favorite in the Grade 1 Woodward.