SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Christophe Clement, a native of France who has been in the United States for more than three decades, officially became a U.S. citizen on Wednesday. “I’ve been in the country for 35 years, so I already considered myself an American,” Clement, 58, said. “Now, I’m officially an American. It’s good. It makes it easier when I pay my taxes.” Clement is a native of Paris. He first came here in 1986 but returned to Europe in 1987 to work for Luca Cumani. Clement returned to the United States for good in 1991 and has been training on the New York Racing Association circuit and Florida for 33 years. Clement has amassed 2,487 career wins, and his horses have earned $173.7 million in purse money, ranking Clement 12th all-time in that category. Clement has been a finalist to get into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame since 2019 but has not received the necessary votes to gain induction. Soldier Rising to Bowling Green Soldier Rising, one of Clement’s top older turf horses in training, is nearing his comeback in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes on July 28. On Friday, Soldier Rising had his fourth workout in the last month, going a half-mile in 49 seconds on the Oklahoma turf in company with Grade 1 winner Far Bridge, who is targeting next Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park. Far Bridge made up two lengths in the work, going the same distance in 48.60. :: Gain a competitive edge at Saratoga with DRF's premier handicapping data — purchase our meet packages today and bet with confidence. Soldier Rising has not run since getting beat a neck in the Grade 2 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct last November. Soldier Rising had the distinction of running second in what was then four Grade 1 turf stakes on this circuit last year – the Man o’ War, Manhattan, Sword Dancer, and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. Clement said Solider Rising, 6, spent his winter and early spring at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Fla., and it took him a little longer than expected to make his way back to him. “He’s doing very well now. I’m excited to see him back in the Bowling Green,” Clement said. Speaking of Friday’s work, Clement said, “It was a very good work, maybe Far Bridge was showing a touch more speed, which is not surprising.” Clement said the purse of the U.N. was attractive to him for Far Bridge, who, along with Soldier Rising, is targeting the Sword Dancer on Aug. 24. Avenue Niel, who was scratched out of a second-level allowance race when it came off the turf on Thursday, will now be pointed to the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls on Aug. 1, Clement said. On Friday, Avenue Niel worked a half-mile in 51.68 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course but galloped out exceptionally strong in 1:03.88 and 1:16.41. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.