Footing and pace aside, Flintshire towers over rivals in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

ELMONT, N.Y. – The connections and supporters of Flintshire can lament that Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic likely will be run over soft turf. They can fret about the seeming lack of pace in the 1 1/2-mile event.

Ultimately, however, they can find great comfort in knowing that Flintshire is simply the fastest horse in the four-horse field. Soft turf and a pedestrian pace seem like bigger obstacles for him than do his three rivals, as Flintshire looks to remain unbeaten on the year and head to Southern California as the likely favorite for the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

Flintshire, a Juddmonte Farms homebred son of Dansili, won the Grade 1 Manhattan in June over firm turf here and caught firm ground at Saratoga, where he won the Grade 2 Bowling Green in July and the Grade 1 Sword Dancer in August.

Though it’s been a relatively dry summer and early fall in New York, rain was forecast for most of the day Friday and ending early Saturday morning, creating the likelihood that the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is run over good or soft turf.

“My biggest concern is the ground,” said trainer Chad Brown. “Although the pace is likely not going to be fast – only three [other] horses in the race – you have to think he should have a chance to show his turn of foot at some point.”

The Joe Hirsch could be run similar to the Bowling Green, which had a four-horse field and a half-mile run in 53.14 seconds and six furlongs in 1:19.44. It wasn’t until the final three-sixteenths that Flintshire was able to get out and close with a powerful turn of foot to win by three-quarters of a length.

In the Sword Dancer, Brown and Juddmonte used a pacemaker, or rabbit, to set a fast pace. But that turned controversial when the rabbit, Inordinate, appeared to bother another horse while opening up a hole along the rail for Flintshire to scoot through on his way to a 1 3/4-length victory.

Brown and Juddmonte opted to eschew that strategy this time.

“I feel like we have the best horse,” Brown said. “It’s horse racing – you have to work out a trip no matter what.”

Of Flintshire’s three rivals, Money Multiplier – also trained by Brown – may be the biggest threat. He finished second to Flintshire in the Sword Dancer after jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was forced to check twice midway around the final turn. He was getting eight pounds from Flintshire that day, and on Saturday, he will run at level weights, as all runners carry 126 pounds.

“Money Multiplier has earned the right to run in this race,” Brown said. “He’s developed into a top-class long-distance turf colt in this country. He’s very consistent this year, and there is a scenario that he could win this race if things unfold his way.”

Twilight Eclipse and Ectot complete the field.

The Joe Hirsch – named after the legendary Daily Racing Form columnist who died in 2009 – goes as race 6 on the 11-race program, which starts at 12:30 p.m. Eastern. It is not part of either of two pick-four or two pick-five wagers, and there is no show wagering.

Saturday’s card includes the Grade 1 Beldame for fillies and mares, Grade 1 Vosburgh for sprinters, Grade 2 Gallant Bloom for filly and mare sprinters, and Grade 3 Pilgrim for 2-year-old juveniles on turf.

Key Contenders

Flintshire, by Dansili

Last 3 Beyers: 112-105-110

◗ He has displayed an electric turn of foot in all three of his victories this year in the U.S.

◗ His works since the Sword Dancer seem to be every bit as strong as the ones before that race.

◗ His three out-of-the-money finishes in 22 career starts have come over soft turf.

Money Multiplier, by Lookin At Lucky

Last 3 Beyers: 109-100-103

◗ He has recorded four triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in his last four starts, all at 1 3/8 miles or longer.

◗ Worked head-and-head with Flintshire on Sunday and several other times this summer.

Ectot, by Hurricane Run

Beyers: 94-101

◗ In two starts in this country, he was fourth in a 1 1/16-mile stakes off a 10-month layoff and was beaten a nose in a 1 1/2-mile allowance race, both at Saratoga.

◗ Though Ectot looks like the possible speed of the field, trainer Todd Pletcher would like to see him relaxed.

“The real key to success for our horse is he needs to settle more than he did last time,” Pletcher said.

◗ At age 2, he won the Group 1 Criterium International in France over soft turf.

Twilight Eclipse, by Purim

Last 3 Beyers: 104-102-98

◗ His lone Grade 1 victory from 17 tries came in the Man o’ War over this turf course in the summer of 2015.

◗ He has finished behind Flintshire in four tries against him, including the 2014 BC Turf, where Flintshire was second and he was third.