Rebel's Romance dominates Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Rebel's Romance could not have had a better prep in advance of a third Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) title on Nov. 1 when outclassing four rivals in the $485,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Aqueduct on Saturday.

Favored at approximately 3-5, Rebel's Romance seized the lead from Redistricting first time past the stands and never let up for the remaining mile of the 1 1/2-mile journey over firm ground.

"He was doing it on his own rhythm, and I know he stays, so just halfway down the turn when I went through the gears, he went," jockey Frankie Dettori said.

Rebel's Romance kicked clear inside the final quarter mile to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Redistricting held off Rebel's Romance's Godolphin-owned stablemate El Cordobes for second by a neck, with 2024 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic winner Far Bridge and Rebel Red completing the order of finish.

Rebel's Romance paid $3.28 after covering the course in 2:25.72.

The globetrotting Rebel's Romance, a seven-year-old gelded son of Dubawi, will prepare for his Breeders' Cup title defense back in England before shipping to Del Mar in late October, said Alex Merriam, assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby.

In addition to last year's Turf at Del Mar, which clinched an Eclipse Award as champion turf male, Rebel's Romance also landed the 2022 renewal at Keeneland. The Turf Classic was his 17th career stakes win, nine of which have been at the highest level.

Rebel's Romance has earned Grade/Group 1 wins in the U.S., Dubai, Hong Kong, and Germany, as well as Group 2 scores in the Hardwicke and Yorkshire Cup in England. He also landed a Group 3 in Qatar earlier this term.

"He's a proper horse," Merriam said.

Earlier in the card, Alogon snapped a season-long streak of minor placings with a neck victory over Bold Journey in the $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint (G3) over six furlongs.

Trained by Ned Allard for owner-breeder Charles Matses, Alogon sped in 1:07.63 and paid $11.36. He was ridden by Dylan Davis.

Bold Journey finished a neck in front of odds-on favorite Twenty Six Black, who was followed by Senbei, Dancing Buck, Run Curtis Run, and Live High Live Low.

Fourth and third in the previous two editions of the Belmont Turf Sprint, Alogon captured both the Parx Dash and Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship last season. However, he had finished third in the Elusive Quality S. and Jaipur (G1), fourth in the Troy (G2), and second in the Da Hoss S. in four prior starts this campaign.

Allard said Alogon would wrap his season with a title defense of the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship on Nov. 1.