Far Bridge's Pan American win looks familiar
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - In a virtual replay of the 2025 Pan American Stakes, Far Bridge wore down Corruption in the final strides to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $202,500 Pan American by a neck at Gulfstream Park.
It was the fourth straight year that Far Bridge has begun his campaign with a victory at Gulfstream, a turf course over which he is a perfect 5 for 5. Overall, Far Bridge is 10 for 21.
Far Bridge hadn’t run since he finished fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last September, his second consecutive poor result following victories in three of his first four starts in 2025 including three graded stakes wins.
Far Bridge, now 6, may have had more time off than in previous years, but trainer Miguel Clement had him spot-on for a top effort.
Flavien Prat, riding Far Bridge for the first time, gave the horse the exact trip he prefers - inside and covered up - until it’s time to go in the stretch. Corruption, as he did in last year’s Pan American, set the fractions - 47.81 seconds for the half-mile, 1:12.59 for six furlongs - while getting some pressure from Dashman.
Corruption, under John Velazquez, was able to shake Dashman, but Prat got Far Bridge outside in the clear in upper stretch and wore down Corruption.
“I didn’t really like the draw for him, but it worked out well,” said Prat, who broke from post 6 in the eight-horse field. “I was able to get to the fence and behind a horse that I liked and tip him out and he was there for me.”
Corruption finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of Echo Lane, who was followed in the order of finish by Il Siciliano, Dashman, Brotha Keny, Soliway and Junipero Serra. Dancin in Da'nile was scratched by the track veterinarian after acting up in the starting gate.
Far Bridge, a son of English Channel owned by Larry Sarf’s LSU Stable, covered the 1 1/2 miles over firm turf in 2:23.51 (98 Beyer Speed Figure) and returned $4.40 as the favorite.
Velazquez, riding Corruption for the first time, was frustrated that he got early pressure from Dashman, ridden by Joel Rosario.
“I was getting pressure at the half-mile pole, I don’t know where we’re going, we were going fast enough as it was,” Velazquez said. “We had to use him a little bit earlier than we wanted to, it cost me at the end.”
Last year, Far Bridge went from the Pan American to the Grade 2 Man o’ War at Aqueduct, a race he won by one length. This year, the Man o’ War has been moved to the fall. Clement said he would consider either the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 2 or wait for the Grade 1 Manhattan at Saratoga on June 6.
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