English Channel

English Channel (4-1) landed the Breeders’ Cup Turf at the third time of asking as Dylan Thomas flopped on the soft ground.

Todd Pletcher’s five-year-old was fifth two years ago and third last year, but went two better under Johnny Velazquez as European hopes Dylan Thomas (6-5f)and Red Rocks failed to fire.

A pedestrian early pace did neither horse a favour as Velazquez tracked the leaders closely throughout on a Monmouth track where he had already won twice.

Johnny Murtagh brought the whip up on Dylan Thomas as early as three furlongs out but the four-year-old failed to respond after a long, hard season.

“We always knew that soft ground could be a problem to him,” O’Brien said.

“I thought I had Dylan near his best but he was hating every second of it

today.”

It was all about English Channel in the latter part of the race as the chestnut stormed further and further clear in the straight to win by seven lengths.

Former French-trained Shamdinan (16-1) finished second with last year’s winner Red Rocks (4-1), running on in third under Frankie Dettori ahead of Dylan Thomas.

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Tags: Dylan, money

Posted on October 28th, 2007 by Klaus Roe
Filed under: Horse Racing