Cross Border retains Bowling Green Stakes crown

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Cross Border won the 2020 Bowling Green Stakes following the disqualification of Sadler’s Joy. But there were no steward deliberations or decisions of any kind to fret over when the veteran turf specialist returned to Saratoga one year later to successfully defend that title with a 1 1/4-length victory over Rockemperor here Saturday.

Cross Border benefitted from an absolute dream trip under jockey Luis Saez. Racing within easy striking distance of early leaders Channel Cat and Channel Maker, Cross Border saved ground for the opening nine furlongs of the 1 3/8-miles Bowling Green, eased out to engage Channel Cat upon settling into the stretch, readily disposing of the tepid favorite leaving the furlong grounds before remaining clear under strong handling.

Rockemperor raced in midpack early on, finished strong down the center of the course despite not switching off his left lead, but could not seriously menace the winner while a length better than the late-running Shamrocket. Channel Cat finished a tiring fourth, followed in order by Red Knight, Moon Over Miami, Channel Maker, and Breakpoint.

The win was the 10th in 35 career starts for Cross Border, a 7-year-old former $20,000 claimer who has now earned nearly $950,000. A son of English Channel, Cross Border is trained by Mike Maker for Three Diamonds Farm.

Despite coming into the race as the defending champion and with five wins and a second in six starts over the local course prior to Saturday, Cross Border rewarded his backers with a seemingly generous $14.40 win mutual. His final time was 2:16.36 over the “good” course; he earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

Maker said it was “absolutely more satisfying” to win the Grade 2 Bowling Green outright rather than via disqualification.

“We didn’t have to sweat it out this year,” Maker said “Although a win is a win. But this horse is just a model of consistency and durability, all we have to do is train him. Hopefully we’ll get another couple of years with him.”

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Maker agreed Cross Border couldn’t have gotten a sweeter trip.

“They don’t often play out like they do on paper,” Maker said. “But it did today.”

Jockey Luis Saez, who also won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy with the odds-on Essential Quality, agreed things worked out perfectly for Cross Border.

“He loves it here, it set up perfect with a good pace,” Saez said. “When he came to the top of the stretch, he really gave me that kick. It all went according to plan.”