James T. Scatuorchio’s ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike) continued his
domination of three-year-old turf rivals with a 3 1/4-length triumph in
Saturday’s $750,000
Virginia Derby (G3), capturing his graded debut and third-straight stakes race. Ridden by John Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt
tracked Chattahoochee War (War Chant) through slow splits of :24 4/5, :49 4/5,
1:14 2/5 and 1:38 1/5 before pouncing on the pacesetter in upper stretch and
quickly drawing clear. The chestnut sophomore was full of run as he drifted out
a little in the final furlong, finishing up the 1 1/4-mile test in 2:02 2/5 over
the yielding turf at Colonial Downs.
Now 6-5-0-0, English Channel was favored at even-money and gave back $4.20,
$3.20 and $2.60 to his many supporters. An earner of $872,691, the winner added
Saturday’s score to victories in the Colonial Turf Cup and Woodlawn S., and
English Channel remains eligible for a possible $3 million Grand Slam of Grass bonus to any horse
who sweeps the Colonial Cup Turf, Virginia Derby, Secretariat S. (G1)
at Arlington Park and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The first three events are
restricted to three-year-olds, and English Channel is establishing himself as a
leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup event at Belmont Park with each
commanding victory.
Chattahoochee War, who was off at 9-1, held second by three parts of a length
over stablemate and 7-2 second choice Rebel Rebel (Ire) (Revoque) and paid $6.40
and $4.80. Show was good for $3.20. The exotics totaled $31.60 (exacta), $90.80
(trifecta) and $485.60 for the $1 superfecta (4-2-1-7) that included 14-1 Silver
Whistle (Alphabet Soup) in fourth. Crown Point (Honor Grades) was next across
the wire and followed by Spring House (Chester House), Interpatation (Langfuhr),
Rush Bay (Cozzene) and Rey de Cafe (Kingmambo). Prince Rahy (Rahy) and Criminal
Mind (Cryptoclearance) were scratched.
Bred in Kentucky by Keene Ridge Farm, English Channel was purchased for
$50,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September sale and is the first foal from the
unraced Theatrical (Ire) mare Belva, who is out of an English, Irish and French
champion, Committed (Hagley), and a full sister to Grade 1 winner Pharma and
five-time Grade 2 winner and 2001 Arlington Million (G1) runner-up Hap. English
Channel has a yearling full brother and a 2005 half-sister by
Street Cry (Ire).
The August 13 Secretariat is next.