For decades, the Woodward Stakes (G2) and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) were among the top New York races during the fall schedule.
Not this year, with neither a part of the “Win and You’re In’’ Challenge Series that offers a fees-paid automatic berth into a corresponding Breeders’ Cup race.
So, over a muddy (sealed) main track at Aqueduct on Saturday, the Woodward (G2) had just four runners after a late scratch, and over a turf course listed as good on a showery day, the Joe Hirsch had five horses after two scratches.
In the $372,000 Woodward for 3-year-olds and up, Tapit Trice ($6.80) rallied for a three-quarter length victory over 4-5 favorite Skippylongstocking. Crupi was third and Masqueparade last.
In the $485,000 Joe Hirsch for 3-year-olds and up, Far Bridge ($7.90) outfought War Like Goddess for a half-length victory. Silver Knott was third, followed by Emmanuel, and Get Smokin.
Tapit Trice splashed home to the win under Dylan Davis in the 1 1/8-mile Woodward, a race that has been won by champions such as Forego, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and Cigar, Curlin, and Rachel Alexandra.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Tapit Trice rebounded from a fourth-place finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Sept. 1 at Saratoga. The 4-year-old son of Tapit returned from an 11-month layoff in July to take the Monmouth Cup (G3) prior to the JCGC.
"It was a big run from him today,” Pletcher said. “I was hoping there would be an honest pace. I was a little bit concerned about that, looking at the race on paper. It seemed like it took him about 100 yards to get his legs under him, but then he got into a comfortable rhythm and really closed resolutely to get it done. He was determined today."
Winning time was 1:50.09. Crupi, also trained by Pletcher, was 13 ¼ lengths back in third. Kay Army, 10-for-10 in Chile, was scratched.
Pletcher is looking at Tapit Trice to run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
"We've always felt he was a Classic-type horse, so I'll talk to the Whisper Hill team about it,” Pletcher said. “We were certainly going into this hoping to run a race that would earn his way in. It certainly looked like he did that today."
Far Bridge, trained by Christophe Clement, denied War Like Goddess a third consecutive win in the 1 ½-mile Joe Hirsch.
The 4-year-old English Channel bay won the $750,000 Sword Dancer (G1) last out on Aug. 24 at Saratoga, but this time Far Bridge came from off the pace under Hall of Famer Joel Rosario.
Winning time was 2:32.22. Daunt and Truly Quality were scratched.
“Everything was a little different today, but he was able to put everything together and win the race. He’s a horse that can do both,” said Rosario. “It looked like on paper there was more speed today. The fractions were a little different than last time, and when they go that fast, he can sit behind it, so that worked.”
Far Bridge owner Randy Sarf of LSU Stables said Far Bridge is a possible for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
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.
