Cross Border Repeats As Bowling Green Champ

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Unlike last year’s win via disqualification, Three Diamonds Farm’s Cross Border repeated as the unquestionable champion in Saturday’s $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.

Cross Border broke from post 2 under Luis Saez and settled into a close stalking trip as fellow sons of English Channel Channel Cat and Channel Maker set leisurely fractions of :24.75, :49.37, 1:14.52, and 1:38.71 through the opening mile.

Saez gave Cross Border the green light heading into the far turn the second time and took the lead as he neared the top of the stretch.

Though Rockemperor made a willing rally from mid-pack that briefly excited his supporters, the Mike Maker-trained Cross Border held clear by 1 1/4 lengths while completing the 1 3/8-mile good inner turf route in 2:16.36.

“He loves it here,” Saez said after riding Cross Border to his sixth victory in 7 Saratoga starts. “He always tries hard. Today, he ran huge. It set up perfect with a good pace. When we came to the top of the stretch, he really gave me that kick and he battled. He always wants to give me everything. It all went according to plan.”

Rockemperor was a length clear of Shamrocket, who headed the 3/1 favorite Channel Cat for third.

Red Knight, Moon Over Miami, Channel Maker, and Breakpoint completed the order of finish.

Cross Border’s win was his first since this race last August and improved his overall record to 35-10-8-4. The New York-bred 7-year-old ridgling has now earned $ in a career that began at Woodbine from 2016-18.

“He’s a model of consistency and durability,” Maker said. “Hopefully, we have another couple of years with him. He’s handled everything. Especially here.”

Cross Border returned $14.40 to win, $6.10 to place, and $4.30 to show. Rockemperor brought back $6.20 to place and $4.20 to show. Shamrocket paid $4.60 to show.