| Age | Starts | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Earnings | |
| 4 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | $1,507,937 |
|
| 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | $2,640,000 |
|
At 4: 1– Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1), Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S. (G1), United Nations S. (G1), Canadian Turf H., 3– John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (G1)
At 5: 1– Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1), United Nations S. (G1), John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), 2– Manhattan H. (G1), Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1)
Last Start
Won Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1) on Sept. 30 at belmont
Contender Status
English Channel prepped for this year's Breeders' Cup in grand style, giving a clinic in class and determination as he charged through the narrowest of openings along the rail to win the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1) on September 30 at Belmont Park.
"He's a little difficult to ride, because he drifts when you pull him," jockey John Velazquez said. "When I got in there, I yelled at Coa [jockey Eibar Coa aboard Mission Approval] so he wouldn't put me over the fence. He was fine once he got through."
Pletcher couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome of the Hirsch.
"You are always anxious when you are a big favorite and you are supposed to win," Pletcher said. "He was very relaxed, and I knew Johnny [Velazquez] had horse. He just needed a spot to go.
"Fortunately, things opened up for him enough on the rail. I thought that once he got clear, he is just such a good horse that I knew he had the ability to quicken. I never doubted this horse's ability. He's been a terrific horse for us. He's a head shy of winning three Turf Classic's. This turned out to be a perfect prep. He relaxed really well and only ran for an eighth of a mile."
English Channel has had only moderate success in two previous appearances in the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), finishing fifth in 2005 and third last year.
The fact that this year's Breeders' Cup Turf is at Monmouth Park must have trainer Todd Pletcher thinking this is the year the Smart Strike horse breaks through.
English Channel has won the last two runnings of the 1 3/8-mile United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park. In 2005 he set the course record for the distance of 2:13.24. Last year he broke his own record with a clocking of 2:12.89.
The weather may be Pletcher's only concern.
"His two wins [at Monmouth] have been over firm turf in the summer, so hopefully, he'll get a firm turf in the fall," Pletcher said.
October 21 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:03.55 at Belmont Park, inner turf course soft. Sixth best of ten workouts at the distance.
October 14 - Four furlongs breezing in :51.16 at Belont Park, inner turf course yielding. Ninth best of 12 workouts at the distance.
Owner James Scatuorchio, discussing English Channel:
"He's become one of my favorite horses. He tries so hard every time, he gives it all he's got every race. You've got to be fond of an athlete like that."
Trainer Todd Pletcher, discussing thefield for the Breeders' Cup Turf:
"Wwe have a strong group, but you always have to worry about Europeans in these kinds of races. And it wouldn't hurt my feelings if Dylan Thomas missed the plane."