OZONE PARK, N.Y. – So often in her career, the late-running War Like Goddess has found herself attempting to overcome a pedestrian pace. Her record of 12 wins from 21 starts illustrates that she’s been pretty good at it. Pace should not be lacking Saturday when the 7-year-old mare attempts to win a third consecutive running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct. In fact, the prospect of there being a legitimate pace is a primary reason why trainer Bill Mott opted to enter War Like Goddess against the boys in this race again instead of training up to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. On Thursday, Mott texted “I plan to run.” The Hirsch, named for Daily Racing Form’s longtime executive columnist, drew seven, but trainer Jonathan Thomas said Thursday that Truly Quality, winner of the Colonial Cup, may scratch in favor of the Singspiel at Woodbine or the Sycamore at Keeneland. War Like Goddess has one win from three starts this year, the win coming in the Robert G. Dick Memorial on July 31 at Delaware Park. In the Grade 2 Flower Bowl last out, War Like Goddess could not catch the pacesetting longshot Idea Generation, who was able to get away with slow fractions over yielding turf. War Like Goddess came with a strong run under Junior Alvarado but fell 1 1/2 lengths short. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports “When I tried to make my move, which would have been a little earlier than usual because we were crawling, I couldn’t get out and I had to wait a little longer,” Alvarado said. “Whether that would have made a difference, I don’t know. She still run pretty good.” Alvarado is encouraged by what he sees on paper from a pace-scenario perspective. “Finally, it looks like we might encounter something that might be in our favor,” Alvarado said. Get Smokin will definitely be part of the early pace in the Joe Hirsch. He recorded a front-running victory in the United Nations on July 20 at Monmouth Park before setting the pace and fading to seventh in the Grade 2 Kentucky Cup at Kentucky Downs, a race he won last year. Far Bridge was a front-running winner of the Grade 1 Sword Dancer in Saratoga. He took advantage of an inside draw and an aggressive ride from Joel Rosario to beat the Charlie Appleby-trained duo of Measured Time and Silver Knott. Clement said Far Bridge is a better horse when he can get to the rail though he doesn’t necessarily have to be on the lead. “He’s a tricky horse to ride in the race,” Clement said. “When things go his way he’s extremely efficient.” Far Bridge’s victory in the Sword Dancer earned him a fees-paid berth into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf. Clement said he didn’t want to wait the nine weeks between races to run him. “If you’re going to go to the Breeders’ Cup and you’re going to run him somewhere [before], this is the race to run in,” Clement said. Before his loss in the Sword Dancer, Silver Knott had won the Grade 2 Elkhorn at Keeneland, the Grade 2 Man o’ War here, and the Grade 2 Bowling Green in Saratoga. Silver Knott may have felt the effects from those efforts in the Sword Dancer, where he ran a little flat, Appleby said after the race. :: Get the Inside Track with the FREE DRF Morning Line Email Newsletter. Subscribe now.  Emmanuel has won graded stakes on turf from a mile to 1 1/8 miles. He is coming out of a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Mint Millions on Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs. That was his first start since he was purchased at the Midsummer Flash Sale on Fasig-Tipton Digital for $500,000 on July 31. He was bought by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher and turned over to trainer Mike Maker. Daunt, trained by Robert Ribaudo, has lost his last 13 starts since he captured a first-level allowance here in October 2022. The Hirsch goes as race 6 on a 12-race card that starts at 12:05 p.m. and includes the Grade 2 Woodward, Grade 2 Pilgrim, and Grade 3 Vosburgh. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.