Arklow Surges Late to Earn First Grade 1 in Joe Hirsch

Through much of the stretch of the $507,500 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) Oct. 5 at Belmont Park, it looked as though Arklow would add another close finish without a win in a season of such finishes.

Then, in deep stretch, the 5-year-old son of Arch found that final, elusive gear, surging past 2018 Joe Hirsch winner Channel Maker to secure the first grade 1 victory of his career in the 1 1/2-mile test for 3-year-olds and older on the turf.

Winning trainer Brad Cox was thrilled to see Arklow prevail.

"It's been a long journey to get there, but he finally got it done," Cox said. "He's had enough seconds in a row. He's a cool horse. He's a hard knocker for all of us. It's fun."

Video: Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. (G1T)

Donegal Racing, Joe Bulger, and Peter Coneway's Arklow entered off four consecutive graded stakes in which he finished second or third, including a neck behind Channel Maker in the Man o' War Stakes (G1T) on the inner turf at Belmont.

That rival was back Saturday as Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable, and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Channel Maker led at nearly every point of call. Channel Maker was pushed turning for home by grade 1 winner Sadler's Joy and Arklow. He held sway initially, but his rivals continued to pressure him through the stretch.

Arklow, who tracked three wide under Junior Alvarado through the final turn after also racing wide early, finally surged in deep stretch to claim a half-length victory over Channel Maker, with Sadler's Joy another head back in third. The winner completed the distance in 2:27.34 on firm turf.

Arklow returned $10, $4.30, and $3. Channel Maker returned $4.40 and $2.90, and Sadler's Joy paid $2.50 to show.

Going into the race, Alvarado said he wanted to save ground. But in a race with a :50.85 first half-mile, he decided getting behind horses wouldn't be wise.

"Coming by the wire at the first turn, I knew we were going a little slow," Alvarado said. "I didn't want to go in behind those horses and then never be able to catch the frontrunner, so I just lost a little ground into the first turn but I never got in his way. I let him find his rhythm, and he was there for me the whole way around."

Though Channel Maker came up short, jockey John Velazquez was impressed with his tenacity.

"We went to the lead, and he went for it," Velazquez said. "He dug in. It was a good effort."

Bred in Kentucky by John and Frank Penn, Arklow is out of the Empire Maker  mare Unbridled Empire, who has produced grade 2 winner Maraud. She boasts four winners from as many starters. Donegal Racing purchased Arklow for $160,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Penn Sales, agent.