Gulfstream Park announced Saturday that multiple Grade I winner Far Bridge (English Channel) made a triumphant return to racing with a neck victory in the GIII Pan American Stakes, nearly breaking the track record in the process.
The 5-year-old horse, trained by Christophe Clement and ridden by Joel Rosario, completed the mile-and-a-half turf marathon in 2:22.73 — just one-tenth of a second off the track record set by Twilight Eclipse in 2013.
Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Far Bridge secured his fourth consecutive win at Gulfstream Park after being sidelined since finishing ninth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf last November.
“He’s always shown an affinity for Gulfstream,” said Miguel Clement, assistant trainer to his father Christophe. “I think he’s four-for-four. His works have been very promising. He ran true to form.”
The victory marked Christophe Clement’s fourth in the Pan American Stakes.
Far Bridge had to work for the win, battling Corruption (Medaglia d’Oro) in a thrilling stretch duel after the latter set early fractions of :23.67, :47.67, and 1:11.30. Despite having to muscle his way to clear racing room on the second turn, Far Bridge secured a ground-saving trip before engaging Corruption in the stretch.
Rosario, who guided the horse to victory, noted: “I thought we were going to be more forwardly placed. The pace was a little bit faster. Going into the first turn I had to take a little hold. But everything worked out good. He was the best horse in the race.”
Corruption finished second, with 43-1 longshot Padiddle (Empire Maker) claiming third in his first graded stakes placing.
The Clement team indicated Far Bridge would target the GII Man o’ War Stakes followed by the GI Manhattan Stakes for his next starts.
“We’ll go Man o’ War, Manhattan. Those are the two most logical spots. Class prevailed today,” Miguel Clement added.
Far Bridge entered Saturday’s race with an impressive resume, having captured back-to-back Grade I victories in 2024 in Belmont’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes and Saratoga’s Sword Dancer Stakes. He also claimed the GI Belmont Derby in 2023 when trained by Todd Pletcher.
Owned by LSU Stables, the Kentucky-bred son of English Channel out of Fitpitcher (by Kitten’s Joy) improved his career record to 7-3-2 from 15 starts with earnings of $1,922,980.
The Pan American Stakes victory continues Far Bridge’s dominance in the turf marathon division as he begins his 2025 campaign.
What game efforts from FAR BRIDGE ($3.80) and runner-up Corruption in the $215,000 Pan American Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. @clementstable conditions the 5YO horse for owners @lsu_stables. @JRosarioJockey was in the irons.
White Abarrio in the next: https://t.co/n8J7Nf7oIJ pic.twitter.com/LUqyxtBewg
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
What game efforts from FAR BRIDGE ($3.80) and runner-up Corruption in the $215,000 Pan American Stakes (G3) at March 29, 2025
