Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Flintshire finally encountered an obstacle he could not overcome since he arrived in the United States – a yielding turf course at Belmont Park.

The brilliant 6-year-old son of Dansili appeared to fall victim to the conditions when he placed second by five lengths to surprising front-runner Ectot in the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes on Saturday.

Flintshire lacked his usual devastating late kick in absorbing his first defeat since he took second in the Hong Kong Vase on Dec. 13, 2015. He had rattled off victories in his previous three starts in the U.S. since coming under the care of trainer Chad Brown, including Grade 1 scores in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes on June 11 at Belmont Park and in the Longines Sword Dancer Stakes on Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course in his most recent effort. All of those victories occurred on firm turf.

His resume was so imposing that Ectot was one of only three foes willing to challenge him in the Joe Hirsch, a Grade 1 contest that carried an automatic berth in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. He was sent off as an overwhelming 1-5 choice and Javier Castellano rode him with confidence, sitting last in the short field but keeping him well within striking range.

But when Castellano signaled that it was time to go, Flintshire largely spun his wheels.

“I am kind of surprised a little bit because I think I was on one of the best horses in the country,” Castellano said. “Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. It was really soft ground, heavy, and I think he did not like it much.”

Brown was not surprised by the upset. “We knew the risk going into the race running on soft ground. He has a poor record on it,” he said. “I didn’t see another option. I didn’t feel comfortable going into the Breeders’ Cup without a prep. So we gave it a shot and it didn’t work out. Hopefully, he’ll come out of the race sound and will get a chance to redeem himself in the Breeders’ Cup on firm ground.”

Ectot, sent off at 9-1, earned his first victory since Sept. 14, 2014, when he won in France. He went off form after that, leading to the decision to campaign him in the U.S. and assign him to trainer Todd Pletcher. The Joe Hirsch marked his third start for Pletcher and first win in the U.S.

“He seemed to be improving. We made some minor adjustments with equipment and shoes and things we were kind of figuring out as we were going along,” Pletcher said. “We thought a real key was if we could get him to settle a little bit.”

Ectot set solid fractions in completing the mile and a half in 2:28.76 under a heady ride from Jose Ortiz.

Pletcher looked forward to preparing Ectot for the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita while recognizing that conditions might not be nearly as favorable.

“I wouldn’t anticipate a lot of rain in California,” Pletcher said. “But at the same time, he’s run well over firm ground.”