|
|
'English' rules United Nations James T. Scatuorchio's ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike) could manage only fourth in the Manhattan H. (G1) last time out, but in Saturday's $750,000 United Nations S. (G1), the four-year-old took revenge on his conquerors. Regular rider John Velazquez drove the Todd Pletcher charge to victory over Manhattan winner Cacique (Ire) (Danehill) and Manhattan runner-up Relaxed Gesture (Ire) (Indian Ridge), completing the 1 3/8 miles on Monmouth Park's firm turf course in 2:13 1/5. The race's opening stages unfolded predictably, with defending champion Better Talk Now's (Talkin Man) designated pacemaker Shake the Bank (Sandpit [Brz]) setting the tempo through fractions of :24 1/5, :47 3/5, 1:11 4/5 and 1:36. Cacique tracked a couple of lengths back in second while English Channel bided his time in fourth along the inside. When the rabbit began to retreat on the far turn, Cacique struck the front. English Channel was hot on his heels however, as Velazquez steered his mount off the rail and angled to the outside for a clear run. Cacique strode out determinedly in the stretch, but English Channel outgamed his rival to score by a half-length. "Today he was more relaxed (compared to the Manhattan) and saved some energy," Velazquez explained. "I wanted to rate him behind horses and he was able to do that. I knew once that happened that he'd be tough. Once he was able to settle, I had no doubt he'd kick on in the lane, and he did just that." The closers never landed a serious blow. The 9-5 favorite Relaxed Gesture rallied mildly for third, 1 3/4 lengths adrift of the runner-up. It was another length back to fourth-place finisher Silverfoot (With Approval), who held a half-length advantage over Better Talk Now. Shake the Bank and Ramazutti (Honor Grades) trailed. Dispatched at odds of nearly 5-2, English Channel returned $6.80, $3.40 and $2.60. Cacique gave back $4.20 and $2.60 at 3-1, and Relaxed Gesture yielded $2.60 to show. The exacta was worth $13.10, trifecta $28.80 and 1-5-3-1 superfecta, with the 9-1 Silverfoot in fourth, paid $108.90 (all exotics $1). English Channel's career scoreline now reads 13-8-2-0 with earnings totaling $1,969,028. He had captured both of his 2006 starts prior to the Manhattan, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S. (G1) at Churchill Downs and Canadian Turf H. at Gulfstream Park. As a sophomore in 2005, he garnered the Virginia Derby (G3), Colonial Turf Cup S. and Woodlawn S. to go along with placed efforts in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1) and Secretariat S. (G1). Bred by Keene Ridge Farm in Kentucky, the winner was sold to his present owner for $50,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The chestnut is the first registered foal from the unraced Belva (Theatrical [Ire]), who has also produced an unraced two-year-old full brother to English Channel, Sedgefield, as well as an unnamed yearling filly by Street Cry (Ire) and a 2006 filly by Aldebaran. Belva is herself a full sister to Grade 1 winner Pharma and multiple Grade 2 winner Hap, all of them out of Committed (Hagley), a European champion and multiple Group 1-winning sprinter in 1984-85.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
