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​Evergreen Channel Maker wins second G2 Bowling Green at age 9

by Mary Eddy

Veteran 9-year-old gelding Channel Maker proved that age has not caught up to him when powering to a frontrunning two-length score for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott in Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green, a 1 3/8-mile inner turf test for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course. 

“He’s one of the happiest horses going to the track,” said Mott. “He doesn’t hesitate. He just goes and trains and he’s got his ears up. He’s happy and dappled from one end to the other. If there’s something wrong with them, they don’t look like that.”

In winning the Bowling Green, Channel Maker, the 2020 Champion Male Grass Horse, became the fifth Champion to win a stakes at Saratoga Race Course this week, joining Forte [2022 2-Year-Old Colt; Grade 2 Jim Dandy], Echo Zulu [2021 2-Year-Old Filly; Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap], Nest [2022 3-Year-Old Filly; Grade 2 Shuvee] and fellow Mott trainee Elite Power [2022 Champion Male Sprinter], who won Saturday’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt by a head. 

Owned by Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R.A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Channel Maker visited the winner’s circle for the first time since taking last year’s Grand Couturier at Belmont Park. He finished a game sixth in the Grade 1 Man o’ War in May at Belmont where he utilized his usual pacesetting tactics and was beaten 1 1/2 lengths while part of a five-way photo for place honors. This year’s edition of the Bowling Green was Channel Maker’s fifth attempt in the historic turf marathon, adding to another win in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2020. 

Mott said it was the right decision to send Channel Maker out for another try in the Bowling Green versus the 1 5/8-mile John’s Call on August 23. 

“The old man came through. He ran really well,” said Mott. “Adam [Wachtel] and I were debating which race to go in. There was another race later in the meet and Adam wanted to give him a try in here, so we give him the assist for making the call to give him the shot. The pace scenario was good for him today.”

Away alertly from post six under Manny Franco, Channel Maker bumped with a foe and rushed up to take command through the first turn and past the stands for the first time through opening splits of 25.40 seconds, 50.85 over the good footing with Tawny Port and Verstappen dueling for second a half-length behind. 

Channel Maker ran comfortably down the backstretch after three-quarters in 1:16.15 with his head held high as Verstappen dropped back and Daunt gained ground three-wide outside of Tawny Port. Daunt was asked for more entering the final turn while Tawny Port was asked for his best run from Joel Rosario as post-time favorite Rebel’s Romance attempted to advance into contention in mid-pack, but clipped heels with Tawny Port and unseated jockey Richie Mullen. 

Exiting the turn, Channel Maker widened his advantage on Verstappen and Tawny Port while Never Explain unleashed a bid from off the pace to challenge widest of all at the top of the lane after one-mile in 1:39.53. A tenacious Channel Maker dug in under steady urging from Franco and bravely turned back the challenges of Verstappen and Never Explain to land the 10th victory of his storied career in a final time of 2:15.21. 

Verstappen held onto place honors by a head over the oncoming Never Explain with Daunt completing the superfecta another 2 1/4 lengths back. Tawny Port, Highest Honors, Soldier Rising, who ran for purse money only, and The Grey Wizard completed the order of finish. Rockemperor and Strong Quality were scratched. 

Mullen, who was conscious and alert with movement in all extremities, was transported to Albany Medical Center for further evaluation. Rebel’s Romance was collared by the outrider and walked home. 

Mott said he was confident in Channel Maker’s chances of victory when he was able to dictate terms alone on the front end. 

“I like the situation we were in when he made the lead and was galloping in front, that was great,” Mott said. “We haven’t been able to do that in a while. If there’s one speed horse that backs up early, it doesn’t matter. But if you get a couple of speed horses and they’re all going together, it becomes a long trip.”

Franco, who got aboard the chestnut for the first time since a fourth-place finish in the 2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont, spoke fondly of Channel Maker and his proficiency as a pacesetter. 

“I get along with him really well. I set the pace, that was my plan to get to the lead,” Franco said. “He really enjoys it when he's on the front end, and he proved it again today. The pace helped me a lot. I knew I was the lone speed in the race. I just wanted to go and set the pace because sometimes the other riders know there's no pace in the race and they try to go forward, but I made sure to break well and make the lead and then slow things down. It worked out great.

"He's so cool. I know he's nine, but he feels like he's three,” Franco added. “He always shows up and he proved it again today. He's a nice horse to ride.”

Wachtel, co-owner of Channel Maker, gave high praise to his multimillionaire gelding, and said it is possible he will enter the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer on August 26 for a sixth time in search of his second win in that event after taking the 2020 edition. 

“We’ll talk about it with the partners and with Bill, but he’s obviously had some great moments here at this track,” said Wachtel. “We’ll see how he comes out of it. He’s something special. Maybe I’ve had some more talented horses, but this is the best horse I’ve ever owned. Having him as a 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and now a 9-year-old. Who does that? Bill does that. It’s a special win for all of us. It means a lot and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm, Channel Maker, who was named the 2017 Champion 3-Year-Old Colt in Canada, earned the seventh graded score of his career while banking $137,500 in victory, boosting his total purse earnings to $3,890,358. He returned $32.40 for a $2 win ticket. 

Declan Cannon, aboard the Brendan Walsh-trained runner-up Verstappen, said the son of War Front lacked the needed kick to collar Channel Maker.  

“Lovely smooth trip, saved all the ground,” said Cannon. “I thought I was going to do something at the head of the lane and he just lugged in late on me. He didn’t do anything wrong. That’s a good horse that beat me today. There’s definitely one of these races in him, so I’ll get mine in."

Live racing resumes Wednesday at Saratoga with a 10-race card, featuring the $75,000 Jonathan Kiser Novice over the hurdles in Race 1 and the $135,000 De La Rose in Race 8. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern. 

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/. 

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.