Rebel’s Romance Dominates Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Godolphin’s globetrotting 7-year-old Rebel’s Romance easily won the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) Sept. 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack in the reigning champion turf male’s return to American racing.
Jockey Frankie Dettori made an early move on the winner, advancing from third up to the lead after a half-mile in :49.26 in the field of five. The son of Dubawi dominated the race from there. Never headed from that point on, Rebel’s Romance ($3.28) drew off in the lane to win by about 3 lengths.
Redistricting edged out the winner’s stablemate El Cordobes by a head for second. The winning time for 1 1/2 miles on firm turf was 2:25.72.
Rebel’s Romance won the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) in 2022 and 2024.
This story will be updated.