Far Bridge gets back to business in return to Clement's barn

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Christophe Clement hopes the end of Gulfstream Park’s winter meet is just the beginning of a big year for the 4-year-old Far Bridge.

Far Bridge, who had a highly successful 3-year-old season while splitting time between Clement and trainer Todd Pletcher, is back with Clement and returns from a seven-month layoff in a high-class, multi-conditioned allowance race scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on turf on closing day of the winter meet.

The closing-day card features a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6 and this allowance goes as race 6, the first leg of the 20-cent wager in which bettors must correctly select the winner of six straight races.

This allowance, which carries a second-level condition as well as date condition, drew a field of nine, but Napoleonic War will scratch due to a fever, according to trainer Jack Sisterson. That horse was also to scratch out of a Saturday allowance for which he was entered.

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Far Bridge began his career with Clement, winning his first two races, both going this same 1 1/16-mile distance at Gulfstream. Following his second start, Far Bridge was sold by Calumet Farm to Larry Sarf, who races as LSU Stable. The horse was moved to Pletcher, for whom the horse won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby and was second in three other graded stakes from five starts. Far Bridge, who won the Belmont Derby on July 8, fits under the condition for horses who have not won a race since July 31, 2023.

Far Bridge went to the sidelines following a second-place finish in the Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs last September, and has since been transferred back to Clement.

“He’s trained great, had some time off, on his way back, came to us from WinStar,” Clement said. “The last few works have been spectacular. We’re excited to see him run. He will improve from the race, but the race is important to know where to go next.”

Jose Ortiz, aboard for two of Far Bridge’s three wins, has the call from post 4.

Lucky Score was scratched out of Saturday’s $150,000 Appleton Stakes for this allowance spot.

Lucky Score, a multiple graded stakes winner at Woodbine, finished seventh, but beaten only 2 1/2 lengths at 50-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last November. Trainer Mark Casse left the horse in California to run in the Joe Hernandez Stakes. That race was originally scheduled to be run down the hill at Santa Anita at 6 1/2 furlongs but instead was run on the main turf course at 6 1/2 furlongs.

“He had zero chance. He doesn’t have the speed for that and he got too far back,” Casse said. “This is a good race back. I don’t know if he’s 100 percent tight.”

Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode the horse in the Breeders’ Cup, will ride him Sunday.

Novo Sol comes off a win for $50,000 claiming and is in for the optional $62,500 tag on Sunday for Saffie Joseph Jr., who will finish the Championship meeting as the leading trainer.

Dreams of Tomorrow, Safe Conduct, California Frolic, and Dancin in Da’nile complete the field.

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