Susie Raisher Photo

Channel Cat notches first graded stakes win with gate-to-wire G2 Bowling Green score

by Brian Bohl

Calumet Farm’s Channel Cat set the pace and dug in late when Ya Primo challenged near the rail, posting his first career graded stakes victory and first win overall in almost 10 months to capture the 61st running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green for 4-year-olds and up by a half-length on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. 

Channel Cat, at odds of 13-1, led the 12-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in 24.66 seconds, the half in 49.87 and three-quarters in 1:15.52 on the firm inner turf. Out of the final turn, jockey Luis Saez kept 13-1 shot Channel Cat ahead of the pack with 5-2 favorite Channel Maker in close pursuit from the outside and Ya Primo, under jockey Jose Ortiz, using a ground-saving trip entering the top of the stretch. 

Channel Cat to the outside of Ya Primo with Channel Maker and jockey Joel Rosario threatening from three-wide, pressed on in deep stretch and hit the wire in 2:14.43 for the 1 3/8-mile route.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Channel Cat has relished the longer distances, notching a third-place effort last out in the Grade 1 United Nations last month at Monmouth Park at the Bowling Green distance. In conquering the three-turn race, he gave Pletcher his fourth career Bowling Green victory, which includes Red Rifle (2015), Sunriver (2007) and Go Deputy (2006).

“We wanted to get away cleanly and get some position going into the first turn, and it's not a real long run going into the first turn going a mile and three eighths,” Pletcher said. “We didn't want to get hung out on three turns, but he kind of caught a flyer and relaxed, and Luis was riding with so much confidence. When you make a decision like that, sometimes it works out.

"It was unfolding the right way,” he added. “I was a little concerned when they turned up the backside. [Argonne, No. 7] put on a little earlier pressure and I was hoping Luis could steal another quarter mile or so before he had to start engaging. So, to his credit, he put in a long and sustained run.”

Pletcher said the English Channel colt could target the Grade 1, $850,000 Sword Dancer on Travers Day, August 24,  

“I think he's like a lot of English Channels - he continues to improve as he gets older and doesn't mind a little cut in the ground,” Pletcher said. “He showed today that he has a versatile running style, so we feel that there's still more to come."

Channel Cat returned $29.20 on a $2 win wager. The Kentucky homebred increased his career bankroll to $737,500.

"He's a game horse. He fought and took the lead and when they came to him in the stretch he kept fighting,” Saez said. “I know a couple horses had a little speed, but he put me in that position. I knew he had a shot to win the race. I saw them coming, but he responded and got to the wire first.”

Ya Primo, trained by Chad Brown, was a four-time group stakes-winner in his native Chile before making his North American debut, edging Arklow by a head in a blanket finish for second.

“It was a good trip,” Ortiz said. “I felt they backed it up a little bit down the backside and it could have cost me the race. I was in a good position and had a good opening. It was a great job by Chad, I think with this start under his belt he will be a contender in the Sword Dancer. 

“I never got in front of him. Channel Cat has a lot of heart. It opened up and he got out, but Channel Cat kept going,” he added.

Arklow bested Channel Maker by a neck for third. Zulu Alpha, Sadler’s Joy, Olympico, Focus Group, Highland Sky, Argonne, Catcho En Die and Red Knight completed the order of finish. Bigger Picture was scratched. 

Live racing will resume on Sunday with a 12-race card that includes the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam for 3-year-olds going 6 ½ furlongs in Race 11. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.