far bridge benefit from a direct Jose Ortiz trip to stop favors foxes about a distance and win the $750,000 Belmont Derby (G1T) on July 8 at Belmont Park.
FAR BRIDGE is a G1 Belmont Derby winner for coaches @PletcherRacing! That makes 4 wins today for jockey @jose93_ortiz! Congratulations connections! #BelmontPark pic.twitter.com/2LGXHt35cf
– NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) July 8, 2023
Long shot Mondego set the soft fractions as :23.71, :50.06 and 1:14.89. Ortiz kept the fence and moved first, which made the difference as The Foxes made a big late run coming too late to catch up to the winner, who stopped the timer at 2:01.75 for 1 1/4 miles. Mondego continued to play well to finish third, only about a head behind The Foxes.
Far Bridge has finished runner-up in his last two starts but passed when what mattered most was winning his first bet in 1st grade. The English Channel 3-year-old pony has now won. three times in five starts for coach Todd Pletcher and owner of the LSU Stables. The Belmont Derby was Ortiz’s fourth win of the day.
The winner paid $7.80.
Larry Sarf of LSU Stables says the Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1T) will be Far Bidge’s next target.
This story will be updated.
