by Mike Curry

Multiple Grade 1 winner English Channel powered through a narrow opening along the rail and accelerated clear with an explosive turn of foot to post a convincing 2 1/4-length win in the $612,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Belmont Park.

The victory guaranteed English Channel a spot in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on October 27 at Monmouth Park as part of the new Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series. The five-year-old Smart Strike colt finished fifth in the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Turf and placed third in the Turf last year as the 3.70-to-1 second choice.

“He just needed a spot to go,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said of English Channel, winner of the 2006 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. “Fortunately, things opened up for him enough on the rail. I thought once he got clear, he is such a good horse that I knew he had the ability to quicken. I never doubted this horse’s ability.

“This turned out to be a perfect prep [for the Breeders’ Cup Turf]. He relaxed really well and only ran for an eighth of a mile.”

Trained by Pletcher for owner James Scatuorchio, English Channel was rated in third as the overwhelming 2-to-5 favorite under a firm hold by jockey John Velazquez in the 1 1/2-mile Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.

Mission Approved set a measured pace through a half-mile in :49.45 and six furlongs in 1:13.73 with Kiss the Kid in second followed by English Channel and Stream of Gold (Ire). English Channel was trapped behind a wall of horses approaching the stretch but Velazquez guided him through a tight opening inside of Mission Approved.

Once clear, English Channel showed his class with a visually impressive rally and won easily in 2:25.73 on firm turf.

“When I got in there, I yelled at [jockey Eibar Coa aboard Mission Approved] so he wouldn’t put me over the fence,” Velazquez said. “He was fine once he got through.”

Stream of Gold led briefly in the stretch and held on to finish second, three lengths clear of Interpatation.

English Channel has earned at least $1-million in each of the previous three years. A five-time Grade 1 winner, English Channel improved to 12 wins in 22 career starts and increased his earnings to $3,699,028. Bred in Kentucky by Keene Ridge Farm, English Channel is out of the unraced Theatrical (Ire) mare Belva.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor