Far From Over Victorious in Return

In his first start in more than 16 months, Black Rock Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables, and James Covello's Far From Over kept his undefeated record intact in a June 24 allowance race at Belmont Park. 

The son of Blame   won the Withers (gr. II) in February of 2015 and was training toward the Wood Memorial (gr. I) when he was knocked off the Triple Crown trail with a non-displaced condylar fracture in his left hind leg.

HASKIN: Fracture Knocks Far From Over Off Derby Trail

On Friday at Belmont, in the one-turn 1 1/16-mile main-track test, Far From Over settled into fourth on the outside early behind blazing fractions, moved to the rail late in the turn, and outfinished two rivals to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

The Todd Pletcher-trained 4-year-old ridgling now has a three-for-three record with one win apiece at age 2, 3, and 4.

"We're very happy that we got the win and excited that he's back," said Steven Marshall of Black Rock Thoroughbreds. "It's been about 16 months since his last race and he's come back very strong. We're just happy that he's healthy."

It's All Relevant surged to the lead early and set fractions of :22.71, :44:89, and 1:08.65 through six furlongs, but was done soon after. Far From Over easily put away the tiring front-runner at the top of the stretch, got to even terms with Three Alarm Fire, and proved best late. Mills closed from last to nose out Three Alarm Fire for second. With John Velazquez aboard, Far From Over hit the wire in 1:41.40 and paid $3.70 to win.

"Even though he's a little green, he put on a good run," Velazquez said. "He's a big horse and he won his first two races. It took him a little while to get back to the races, but he looked good. The talent is there. He just needs to put it together."

"He's been breezing well and we knew that if he was going to be as talented as he was last year, he would run like this," added Pletcher assistant Byron Hughes. "It just shows you, he still has the talent."