Bowling Green Stakes: Far Bridge a Strong Favorite; Odds, Picks

Turf racing is an important part of the Saratoga experience. We get into the grass groove Saturday with a pair of important turf stakes: the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares and the $200,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2) at 1 3/8 miles.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the Bowling Green Stakes, a stepping stone to the biggest grass event of the season: the $750,000 Sword Dancer (G1) on Aug. 9.

Any discussion of the race starts with Far Bridge, the morning line favorite at 6-5 and clearly the horse to beat.

He suffered a hard-luck loss last time out in the 1 1/8-mile Manhattan Stakes (G1), losing by only a neck in the scramble to the wire.

The added distance here helps, as his previous two races were wins in the Pan American (G3) at 1 1/2 miles and the Man ‘o War (G2) at this same mile-and-three-eighths route.

The longer, the better for Far Bridge.

“Maybe the distance was a touch short at that level,” trainer Miguel Clement said of the Manhattan. “I think he ran a gallant race. He ran a terrific figure and came out of it in good order. He probably ran too good a race to lose, but that’s racing for you.”

As horseplayers, we’ve all had that feeling.

By the way, did we mention Far Bridge won last year’s Sword Dancer?

A horse for the course at a preferred distance is always a powerful combination.

Clement also sends out Tawny Port (12-1), who is a notch below his more illustrious stablemate.

Corruption (5-1) is another who should benefit from more ground. He ran evenly to be fourth in the Manhattan, but as we scroll down the past performances, his neck loss to Far Bridge in the Pan American stamps him as a player at this 11-furlong distance.

“He’s our most improved child for the year,” trainer Mark Casse said. “He likes to get in a rhythm, and the farther you go, the easier it is to accomplish that.”

Casse also saddles Webslinger (7-2), a rallying second most recently in the Eclipse Stakes (G2) over the synthetic surface at Woodbine.

For those who bet on horse racing ...

The picks: 1 Far Bridge, 2 Corruption, 3 Webslinger

The field for the $200,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:

1. Starting Over (Manny Franco, Brittany Russell), 15-1
2. Rezeen (Dylan Davis, Todd Pletcher), 8-1
3. Tawny Port (Flavien Prat, Miguel Clement), 12-1
4. Tucson (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher), 15-1
5. Webslinger (Jose Ortiz, Mark Casse), 7-2
6. Harrow (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Saffie Joseph, Jr.), 8-1
7. Far Bridge (Joel Rosario, Miguel Clement), 6-5
8. Corruption (Javier Castellano, Mark Casse), 5-1

Also eligibles

1. Yo Daddy (Ke Carmouche, Linda Rice), 9-5
2. Kuchar (TBD, Rudy Rodriguez), 6-1
3. Game Warden (Ricardo Santana, Jr., Norm Casse), 2-1

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.