One of the biggest surprises of the Belmont Park spring/summer meet centered around the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T).
It wasn’t so much who won the race. That was LSU Stables’ Far Bridge who made amends for hard-luck runner-up finishes in two grade 2 stakes by winning the July 8 opening leg of the New York Racing Association’s Turf Triple for 3-year-olds. He was the highly logical 3-1 second choice in the field of 11 turfers who traveled 1 1/4 miles.
The stunning development was that LSU owner Larry Sarf did not attend Louisiana State University. The stable’s silks may be purple and gold like the Tigers of the South, and Sarf’s son, Randy, can be seen at the races in Louisiana State-like jackets and sneakers.
Yet the patriarch of LSU Stables grew up near Coney Island and sold knishes on the beach, lives on Long Island, and has much more of a New York accent than a Cajun tone.
“We’ll probably get an award from LSU,” said Larry Sarf, who explained the LSU stems from his wife Leslie (L), Sarf (S), and a Distorted Humor filly (U, with the H dropped from Humor).
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For whatever reason fans of any type wagered on Far Bridge, the rationale was spot-on as the 3-year-old son of English Channel rallied from eighth to prevail by a length over European shipper The Foxes . He gave Sarf his first grade 1 win in a tenure as an owner that dates back to 1987, with a 19-year hiatus that ended last year when he re-entered the game.
“He had a couple of bad breaks in his last two races but he showed he belonged in the race with wonderful competition,” said Sarf, who bought about 10 horses with bloodstock agent Steve Young to re-stock his stable. “This is the best competition you could find for a 3-year-old turfer. You won’t find better males. It’s like the Kentucky Derby (G1).”
Added distance played a key role in the victory as Far Bridge’s late charge in the 1 1/8-mile Pennine Ridge Stakes (G2T) and 1 1/16-mile American Turf Stakes (G2T) left him a length and a nose, respectively, behind the winner. At Saturday’s 10-furlong distance, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt ($8.70) was able to move up from the back of the pack while racing in the two path and then tipped out in the stretch to pass the tiring Mondego at the sixteenth pole and cover the distance in 2:01.75 over firm turf.
Far Bridge wins the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park
He was ridden by Jose Ortiz, who owns a 59-55 edge over his brother, Irad Jr., in the race for leading rider at the meet with only the July 9 card remaining before the July 13 opening day at Saratoga Race Course.
“We got a fortunate trip today. Everything worked out. We were able to save some ground pretty much around both turns, especially the far turn. We knew he had a good closing kick, we just needed to be in position to deliver it,” Pletcher said. “I really liked the way he was moving around the turn and then when he got clear in the stretch, I knew he’d keep coming. We always felt like the added distance was going to be to his advantage.”
Far Bridge and Jose Ortiz after winning the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes
Far Bridge started his career with his breeder, Calumet Farm, and trainer Christophe Clement but the son of the Kitten’s Joy mare Fitpitcher was bought by Sarf after his second start, a victory in an allowance optional claimer that lifted his record to 2-for-2.
“(Sarf) really liked the horse and they made a serious offer on him. They deserve any success they have with the horse,” Pletcher said.
The trophy presentation to the connections of Far Bridge following the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes
While Pennine Ridge winner Kalik and California shipper Wizard of Westwood figured to provide the speed in the Belmont Derby, it was allowance winner Mondego who filled that role, posting fractions of :50.06 and 1:14.89 with Silver Knott in closest pursuit.
Those two pulled away on the turn and had three lengths on the rest of the field leaving the quarter pole, but when they turned into the stretch, the lead slipped away. First Far Bridge motored by with his winning move and then King Power Racing’s The Foxes came charging after breaking last and lagging in 10th early on. After some bumping at the quarter pole, The Foxes split horses late to make matters interesting but had to settle for runner-up honors for trainer Andrew Balding and rider Oisin Murphy.
“He stood to jump and was a little slow away. I followed the winner but I wanted to sit closer in the run,” Murphy said. “The winner got first run on me as we turned into the straight and The Foxes picked up brilliantly, but I’d have loved to have been more forward in the run.”
The Foxes, a son of Churchill who was the 2-1 favorite, took second by a nose over Mondego, a Lope de Vega colt trained by Clement for Cheyenne Stable.
Sarf said he hopes Far Bridge can compete in all three legs of the Turf Triple, with the Aug. 5 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G2T) next on the schedule.
The 3-year-old, who has won three of five starts and earned $629,500, is the third and most recent foal from Fitpitcher and her second winner.
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