Far Bridge likely top North American challenge to Europeans in BC Turf

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - By virtue of his victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct, Far Bridge likely stamped himself as North America’s top threat in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Far Bridge beat the mare War Like Goddess by a half-length to win the Joe Hirsch, for which he earned a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure. It was his second Grade 1 of the year, having captured the Sword Dancer at Saratoga, where beat the Godolphin Racing pair of graded winners in Silver Knott and Measured Time. Far Bridge finished third to Measured Time in the Grade 1 Manhattan at Saratoga in June.

“If you look at all the American horses on the grass, he’s got be right there,” trainer Christophe Clement said.

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Eight of the last nine runnings of the BC Turf have been won by a European-based runner.

“The Breeders’ Cup is a bit more complicated, you got to have a good draw, you got to have decent pace, it’s a bit of a complicated race, but he’s got be in it,” Clement said.

Clement said that Far Bridge would likely ship to Saratoga to prepare for the Breeders’ Cup Turf because in Saratoga he’ll be able to get workouts in over the Oklahoma turf course. There is no turf option for training downstate.

“He seems to do better if he can do a routine turf work once a week,” Clement said.

It is expected that War Like Goddess, who had won the previous two runnings of the Joe Hirsch, will still be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

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