Saturday is the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct Park. Ten 2-year-olds will compete in the one mile contest on the main track.
The race is a Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Stakes, giving the Winner a spot in the November 1st Juvenile at Del Mar, as well the majority portion of the $500,000 dollar purse.
Here is a look at the field:
1. J J ZO ZO [ML 20-1] Jockey: Jorge Ruiz. Trainer: Jose Sanchez. New Jersey-bred broke his Maiden in 3rd start and then Won handily in an open Stakes at Monmouth Park. Showed some nice speed in that Victory but stretching out to a mile in a Grade 1 Stakes doesn’t bode well for him
2. TIP TOP THOMAS [ML 7-2] Jockey: Irad Ortiz. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Showed speed and determination in Winning his career debut by a head after dueling for the lead from the start. Has good works since then and, if he can duplicate his debut, he’ll be in play here.
3. LETHAL SPEED [ML 50-1] Jockey: Jose Gomez. Trainer: Shivananda Parbhoo. Closed from 7th to Win his debut at Gulfstream Park but a slow speed figure would seem to hamper his chances.
4. MO PLEX [ML 12-1] Jockey: Manny Franco. Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart. New York-bred is undefeated in three starts and Won the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes in his second outing. Speed figures are a tad below the top contender(s), but the Sanford Win makes him worthy of a look.
5. UNCAGED [ML 9-2] Jockey: Joel Rosario. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. In debut was able to close at six furlongs and Win going away. The time was fast and his bloodlines indicate he’ll handle the distance. Major player.
6. VEKOMA RIDES [ML8-1] Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche. Trainer: John Kimmel. Son of first-year sire VEKOMA, he was a convincing Maiden Winner at Aqueduct three weeks ago. Speed figures unimpressive but he looked the part of a promising 2-year-old in his debut.
7. SMOKEN WICKED [ML 12-1] Jockey: Dylan Davis. Trainer: Dallas Stewart. Set pace in the Hopeful at 31.75-1 and tired in the final furlong to finish 4th. Speed figures are on the rise and he gets a positive rider change. A legit longshot possibility.
8. COLONEL BOB [ML 30-1] Jockey: Mychel Sanchez. Trainer: Butch Reid. Comes in off a debut Win at Parx for a trainer, who merits attention whenever he ships to New York. But he’ll need a vast jump in speed figures to be competitive.
9. EXECUTIVE ORDER [ML 15-1] Jockey: Jose Lezcano. Trainer: Phil Serpe. Romped in his debut with a competitive speed figure. Others are more likely on top, but he could fill out the bottom of the exotics.
10. CHANCER MCPATRICK [ML 6-5] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Chad Brown. A deserving favorite off a sharp rally from 8th to Win the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. Appears he’ll welcome the added distance and should be hard to beat if he continues to improve off his last start.
The Champagne Stakes is slated as race 8 on a card of 12 with a scheduled Post Time of 3:50.
