CHARLESTON -- Gil Johnston’s Fantastic Song, away from the races for more than 1 1/2 years, roared through the stretch under jockey Sean McDermott to win The Steeplechase of Charleston at Stono Ferry’s featured $30,000 optional allowance hurdle by three-quarters of a length on Saturday. The meet, the first held in Charleston in the spring, was the third stop on the 2017 National Steeplechase Association circuit. Trained by Fenneka Bentley, Fantastic Song powered past Rosbrian Farm’s Swansea Mile, who always was well-placed under Ross Geraghty and finished 4 1/4 lengths clear of Irv Naylor’s newcomer El Monstro.
Fantastic Song hits high notes with win following long layoff

