A talented field of seven, headed by multiple Grade 1-winning mare War Like Goddess, is set to assemble for the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), one of four graded stakes on Saturday’s card at Aqueduct.
War Like Goddess. NYRA/Coglianese Photo
Seven-year-old mare War Like Goddess Looks Tough in Hirsch
Among them, the seven have won 25 graded stakes and earned more than $8.9 million, with the 7-year-old daughter of English Channel leading the way with nine such victories and more than $2.8 million in purses.
Her trainer, Hall of Famer Bill Mott, will be going for a record-extending seventh victory in the 1 ½-mile race, having won four of the past six editions, the two most recent courtesy of War Like Goddess. No horse has won three straight Turf Classics since its start in 1977.
This year, the late-running War Like Goddess is 1-1-1 from three starts, most recently having finished second in the Flower Bowl (G1) at Saratoga, compromised by a slow pace set by winner Idea Generation over a yielding course.
A successful outing could send War Like Goddess (the 8-5 favorite) to the Breeders’ Cup for a fourth time, having finished seventh and third in the Turf against the boys in 2023 and 2022, and third in the Filly & Mare Turf in 2021.
Top Contenders Set the Pace for War Like Goddess in Key Matchup
Among those who could ensure a suitable pace scenario for War Like Goddess are Far Bridge (7-2) and Silver Knott (2-1).
Far Bridge, trained by Christophe Clement, showed a new dimension last out when he led throughout to win the Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga.
“We didn’t think there was going to be much pace in the Sword Dancer, and Joel [Rosario] made the right decision at the right time. He doesn’t have to be in front, Joel will have to make the decision,” said Clement. “He’s a good horse and he’s won off-the-pace and on-the-pace – as long as he gets a clear trip, he should be fine.”
Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse will saddle 12-1 longshot Get Smokin as he goes in search of a fifth career graded stakes victory, all won on the front end. Now 7, the son of Get Stormy has won one of three starts this year, going gate-to-wire to win the United Nations (G2) at Monmouth Park and earn a career-best 114 Equibase Speed Figure. Most recently, he was seventh after setting the pace in the Kentucky Turf (G2) on Sept. 7.
“We have one strategy and one strategy only.’’ said Casse, with a laugh. “We won’t be taking back.”
Trainer Charlie Appleby will send out Godolphin’s 4-year-old Silver Knott, who comes off a third in the Sword Dancer after opening his 2024 campaign with consecutive Grade 2 wins in the Elkhorn, Man o’ War and Bowling Green.
Completing the field are graded stakes winner Emmanuel, Colonial Cup winner Truly Quality, and Daunt.
For those who bet horse racing …
The picks: 1 Far Bridge 2 War Like Goddess 3 Get Smokin
The field for the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:
1 Get Smokin (F De La Cruz, Mark Casse), 12-1
2 Daunt (Jose Lezcano, R Ribaudo), 30-1
3 Emmanuel (Manny Franco, Mike Maker), 10-1
4 War Like Goddess (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott), 8-5
5 Truly Quality (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jonathan Thomas), 6-1
6 Silver Knott (Dylan Davis, Charlie Appleby), 2-1
7 Far Bridge (Joel Rosario, Christophe Clement), 7-2
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.
