English Channel (horse) - Four-year-old Campaign

Four-year-old Campaign

English Channel began 2006 in the same place that he began 2005 – Gulfstream Park. Going off as the 9-5 favorite in the Canadian Turf Handicap, he ran in second through much of the race, eventually taking the lead in the stretch and holding off Miesque's Approval to win by three-quarters of a length.

After a two-month layoff, English Channel shipped to Churchill Downs to again try to win a Grade I stakes. In the Turf Classic Stakes, he stalked the pace in third and took the lead in the stretch, holding off the challenge of Cacique to record his first Grade I victory by half a length.

English Channel then headed back to Belmont for the Manhattan Handicap. After stalking the pace in his usual style, he finished fourth, with Cacique winning.

A month later, English Channel ran for the first time at Monmouth Park. In the United Nations Stakes, he raced in fourth for most of the race before taking the lead in the stretch. In a repeat of their earlier meeting at Churchill Downs, English Channel held off Cacique to win by a half length.

In his next race, English Channel made his first attempt at the Arlington Million. While he and Cacique raced in third and fourth, The Tin Man, an eight-year-old son of Affirmed, set a pace so slow that some later described it as "murder". The slow pace enabled The Tin Man to conserve energy and win. Due to the slow pace, English Channel did not rally as usual and finished fourth, slightly more than two lengths behind the winner.

Pletcher ran English Channel in one final prep before the Breeders' Cup, the Hirsch at Belmont, a race in which he was narrowly defeated the previous year. Co-entry Icy Atlantic took the lead and set a slow pace while English Channel ran on the outside. When they hit the stretch, English Channel moved strongly to take the lead, pulling away to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

In 2006, the Breeders' Cup was at Churchill Downs, the same location as English Channel's first career Grade I win. Considered a favorite to win the race, he finished third over two lengths behind winner Red Rocks, with Better Talk Now in second.