Channel Cat not scared off in Bowling Green

There was no scaring Channel Cat in Saturday’s Grade II Bowling Green at Saratoga Race Course. The four-year-old colt took the lead within a few strides of breaking from the gate in the $250,000 one and threeeighth mile turf race.

Being out front that early wasn’ the initial plan, but trainer Todd Pletcher had to like the way things developed as Channel Cat never relinquished the lead as the 13-1 longshot captured the 61st edition of the Bowling Green.

“We wanted to get away cleanly, we wanted to get some position going into the first turn,” Todd Pletcher said. “It’s not a real long run to the first turn going a mile and three-eighths, we didn’t want to get hung out on three turns, but kind of caught a flyer and got there easy, relaxed and Luis (Saez) was riding with so much confidence when he makes a decision like that sometimes it works out.”

He covered the opening quarter mile in 24.66 seconds and held a threelength lead over another English Channel horse, Channel Maker, as the two raced in front of the Saratoga Race Course grandstand for the first time.

He covered the half-mile in 49.87 seconds, still leading Channel Maker and Argonne as the pair moved up on Channel Cat as they headed into the backstretch.

“I know a couple horses had a little speed, but he put me in that position,” jockey Luis Saez said. “I knew he had a shot to win the race. I saw them coming, but he responded and got to the wire first.”

Into the stretch it was Channel Cat, was pressured by Ya Primo on the inside, with Channel Maker in the middle with Arklow in behind them, Olympico was on the far outside. But Channel Cat knew no quit to hit the wire first. Ya Primo, Arklow and Channel Maker followed in that order.

“I was a little concerned when they turned up the backside, the seven horse (Argonne) started to put a little earlier pressure that I was hoping maybe Luis could steal another quarter mile or so before he started to kind of have to engage,” Pletcher said. “To his credit he put in a long sustained run.”

Channel Cat paid $29.20 for the win with the exacta paying $94.50 and the trifecta coming in at $331.75.

With Saturday’s win Channel Cat could be headed to the one and ahalf mile Sword Dancer on Aug. 24.

“I would think Mr. Kelly would be delighted to run in the Sword Dancer so hopefully things go well between now and then,” Pletcher said. “I think he’s like a lot of English Channel’s, he continues to improve as he gets older and he doesn’t mind a little cut in the ground so he’s a versatile horse, he showed today he’s versatile running style, so we feel like there is still more to come.”