At the ripe old age, veteran campaigner Channel Builder continued his winning path by bravely taking $145,500 Grand Couturier Stakes at the mile and a half for the older horses. Belmont ParkWidener’s turf.
The Grand Couturier score marks the ninth career stake win of Channel Maker, the 2020 Turf Male Champion, who has won at least one stake race in six of his seven racing years, since the tournament. Vandal Staking 2016 at Honeysuckle during his teenage years.
After missing the halftime break and running ninth in Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1T) on June 11 in Belmont, Channel Maker flaunted its usual heading tactics on Friday, taking the lead with the ratios: 25.02, :50.47 and 1:16.31 under Luis Saez.
8YO CHANNEL MAKER Riding in Grand Couturier Stakes with @luissaezpty board! #BelmontPark pic.twitter.com/6SsWK17G8P
– NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) July 8, 2022
Long time challenge by The soldier is rising , who took the lead over him, Channel Maker dug deep to win by neck in a final time of 2:27.54. Soldier Rising finished another long first Highest title Followed by British Royal and Admissions Office .
Saez, on Channel Maker to win the Elkhorn Stakes (G2) at Keeneland this spring, is the sixth driver to win on Channel Maker, who returned $4.50 as a favorite.
“He’s always trying — that’s him. He’s always waiting for the other horses, and today he got to the top of the ramp and fought,” said Saez. “Finally he takes the last-minute leap. He fights and he doesn’t win impressively, but he can win a small sum or a big sum like that. He just wanted to be in front and he didn’t want to give in to anyone.”
Channel Maker after winning the Grand Couturier Stakes
Now boasting a 9-6-5 record in 40 starts and earnings in excess of $3.6 million, Channel Maker continues to wow its connections. Dean Reeves of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, co-owner with RA Hill Stable, Gary Barber, and Wachtel Stable, is credited as a Hall of Fame coach for keeping the horse in good shape.
“To keep an 8-year-old at this level — a horse coming back from abroad — and have won so many Grade 1 awards is impressive. He’s got a horse to work with, someone. big heart,” said Reeves. “He wants to take the lead and you have to come and beat him. Today he showed his perseverance and his heart — if that’s all then we’ll have a blanket ending. He’s one fans love it and it’s great that he’s staying this time around, letting fans really get to know Channel Maker.”
Bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm, Channel Maker is not of the black breed producing Horse Chestnut Exchange . Her other children are placed in multiple shares by classification Court is back four times winner Proud Vixen, and 1st grade winner Johnny Bear a full brother of Channel Maker.
Video: Grand Couturier S. (BT)
