Jockey Joel Rosario executed a tactical coup aboard Far Bridge in Saturday’s $727,500 Sword Dancer (G1) and cleverly stole a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Sent to the lead for the first time in his career, the 8.20-1 shot thwarted Godolphin favorites Measured Time and Silver Knott at Saratoga.
LSU Stables’ Far Bridge had the requisite class as the winner of last year’s Belmont Derby (G1), but the son of English Channel had endured a series of stakes losses in the interim. Switched back from Todd Pletcher to original trainer Christophe Clement for 2024, the idiosyncratic colt started his campaign promisingly enough with a Gulfstream Park allowance score.
Yet his frustration in better company continued. Far Bridge got no nearer than fifth in the Turf Classic (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day, a dead-heat third behind Measured Time in the Manhattan (G1) here on Belmont Day, and a non-threatening ninth in the July 20 United Nations (G2) at Monmouth Park last out.
The step up to 1 1/2 miles, and a radical change in tactics with Rosario, sparked a reversal of fortune. Rosario was reuniting with Far Bridge for the first time since earlier in his sophomore season, when guiding him to runner-up efforts in the 2023 American Turf (G2) and Pennine Ridge (G2). The two clicked beautifully here on the tactical switcheroo.
Few could have envisioned Far Bridge in the front-running role. That’s not only because of his own history as a closer, but especially because Silver Knott had the tactical speed to lead.
Proven at the trip, unlike odds-on stablemate Measured Time, Silver Knott appeared to be in the perfect spot to dictate terms. The Charlie Appleby runner was coming off a course record-setting victory in the Bowling Green (G2). A similar effort would have made him the main threat to Measured Time, and accordingly, Silver Knott ranked as the clear second choice at 1.30-1.
Thus Godolphin was expected to have the tactical front covered, until Rosario seized the initiative, and Flavien Prat was surprisingly passive on Silver Knott. That didn’t help Measured Time, who was already keyed-up pre-race and could have used some pace to help him get into the flow.
Far Bridge posted an opening quarter in :24.86 on the firm inner turf, then slowed to a glacial pace in splits of :50.92 and 1:17.21. Silver Knott lobbed along in an unhurried second, but Measured Time raced keenly in third for Godolphin’s principal rider, William Buick.
Rosario began to lift Far Bridge through the mile in 1:42.50, but Prat didn’t get Silver Knott stoked until the final turn. By that point, the proverbial damage was done.
Far Bridge quickened away from a one-paced Silver Knott at the top of the lane. Measured Time accelerated better, in keeping with his sharper profile, and offered a sterner challenge in midstretch. But Far Bridge had too much left.
Edging one length clear, Far Bridge clocked 2:29.51 to give Clement a record-extending fifth Sword Dancer trophy. He joins Honor Glide (1999), Winchester (2011), and Gufo (2021-22) on the honor roll.
Measured Time ran out of steam in the final yards. While his failure to switch off may have taken a toll, the distance remains a question mark.
“I expected them to go a more solid pace,” Buick said. “The winner got the run of the race up front. My horse was probably doing a little bit too much. He might just be a mile and a quarter horse, my horse.”
Silver Knott retreated a further 3 1/4 lengths astern in third, trailed by Pioneering Spirit and Grand Sonata. Silver Knott’s lackluster finish suggests that he might have regressed off his monstrous Bowling Green, but Prat thought he was in good shape early.
“Well we had a good trip, but he just didn’t punch like he usually does,” Prat summed up.
Rosario also commented on the tactical plot twist.
“It looked like one of the two Godolphin horses would go to the lead. I broke good and just took advantage of that, let him be happy there, and he did all the work,” Rosario recapped. “It worked out.
“He was going very nice, very relaxed. He set his own pace and when I called on him to go, he was there for me. He ran a big race. It’s a very nice win. It was very nice to win for Christophe and everybody else on the team. We’re very happy.”
The victory was especially sweet since Clement had to scratch his other contender, Soldier Rising, who had placed in the past two Sword Dancers.
“He had an issue,” Clement said. “We had a question mark with soundness. I didn’t want to take a risk. He is a lovely horse, and he will be back.”
Far Bridge is certainly back, boosting his bankroll to $1,477,700 from his 12-5-3-2 line. The bay won his first two starts for Clement and owner/breeder Calumet Farm, famously beating Carl Spackler in their mutual debut at Gulfstream in early 2023.
LSU Stables privately acquired Far Bridge after his allowance score and turned him over to Pletcher, for whom he won the Belmont Derby and placed in four graded stakes, including the Saratoga Derby (G1) and Dueling Grounds Derby (G3). Yet he often became his own worst enemy in his races.
Once rejoining Clement, Far Bridge remained a conundrum to solve, as Randy Sarf of LSU Stables noted.
“We worked so hard to try to figure out the problems that he had – Christophe and (his son and assistant) Miguel.
“My Dad and I, my son even said, ‘send him to the lead, let them catch him.’ He won’t have any problems with his head turning right, turning left,” Sarf said.
“I knew he was home (once he got away with slow fractions). I knew how much gas he had in the tank,” Sarf continued. “I saw him yesterday, I saw him this morning. He was biting; he was ready to go today. I’m very proud of him and Joel gave him a great ride.”
Clement offered his insight into the game plan.
“At the end of the day, he has always worked well when he is on the rail,” his trainer observed. “He never does anything wrong. Every time he comes off the rail, he is a little bit all over the place.
“On paper, we didn’t think there was much pace (in the Sword Dancer). The idea was to break in front or right behind Godolphin. He took the lead and nobody bothered him. He (Rosario) rode a great race.
“I am thrilled and it is a great story. That horse, I trained him early on, he left us and he came back and I am thrilled that he is back in the barn I love that race. I have been lucky in that race with Gufo. It is great. Let’s enjoy it and go from there.”
Sarf is already looking forward to Del Mar.
“We won and are going to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Far Bridge was bred for the Turf. By 2007 champion English Channel, he’s out a mare by Kitten’s Joy, second as the favorite in the 2004 Turf. Far Bridge’s dam, Fitpitcher, descends from multiple Grade 3 winner Pleasant Temper.
