A 9-year-old New York-bred son of English Channel, Cross Border, who recently kicked off his steeplechase career, was a 4 3/4-length winner in the $15,000 G.H. Bostwick maiden starter hurdle March 25 at Aiken, S.C., for horses who have competed for a claiming price of $20,000 or less on the flat or over fences.
It's hard to believe, but the multiple graded stakes winner actually ran for a $20,000 tag—several times—early in his career at Woodbine.
On Saturday, Cross Border, under Parker Hendriks, broke on top in the 2 1/16-mile event, controlling the pace and holding off a determined Flying Elvis Stable's Be Yourself, with Gerard Galligan aboard.
Trained by Keri Brion, Cross Border gave the Wycoff family's Three Diamonds Farm (who campaigned the star on the flat) its first win in a National Steeplechase Association race.
Cross Border won 11 races in 44 starts over seven seasons on the flat. Along the way, he has earned $1,171,479, mostly while under the care of trainer Mike Maker. He finished second eight times and was five times in third. Among his victories were two in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course in 2020-21.
During his long and productive first career, Cross Border amassed victories over classy competition including Channel Maker, Rockemperor, Tribhuvan, Sadler's Joy, and Red Knight.
