Like so many other New York stakes, the Champagne Stakes (G1) returns to a familiar locale Oct. 3 when it will be contested at Belmont Park for the first time since 2022. The one-turn mile contest generally attracts the circuit's top 2-year-olds and this year is no exception.
As an added double bonus, the grade 1 stakes will award the winner a free spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) through the Breeders' Cup's "Win and You're In" Challenge series. In addition it will also distribute 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points toward a start in the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1) to the top five finishers.
1. Johnny Hockey (30-1 morning-line odds): Was no better than third in four New York starts. Then nabbed his first win at Monmouth Park. Comes off a dull try in a turf stakes. Can't see him putting the puck in the net here.
JOCKEY: Katie Davis; TRAINER: Antonio Arriaga
2. Raku (12-1): Earned a shot in this race with a solid second in the one-mile Sapling Stakes at Monmouth. That race was contested at two turns as opposed to the one-turn mile he'll run Saturday. Was an easy winner of his debut at Monmouth, but will need to take a big step forward in speed figures to be a main factor here.
JOCKEY: Paco Lopez; TRAINER: Kelly Breen
3. Gaudreau (8-5): Lived up to expectations when he scored as the favorite in his Aug. 8 debut at Saratoga. That race turned out to be loaded with highly rated Coach Pope and U. S. S. Valor second and third, respectively. Workouts have kept him sharp, and he will be a major force here. Trainer Chad Brown already owns five Champagne wins.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown
4. Club Reign (8-1): Owned by a group that includes Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara, he has the most charisma attached to him. Was a decisive winner of his debut at Saratoga, but the speed figure came back slow. He has speed and should like the added distance.
JOCKEY: Edgard Zayas; TRAINER: Whit Beckman
5. U. S. S. Valor (3-5): Finished third, a little less than a length behind Gaudreau, then came back with a monstrous 13 1/4-length maiden win at the Spa. Can avenge his loss if he duplicates that effort, but he could also regress slightly after such a huge performance. Should be a lively rematch.
JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Shug McGaughey
6. Earth Song (15-1): Romped by 11 1/4 lengths in his debut at Monmouth, but the speed figure was bland. He's also entered in Saturday's Rocky Run Stakes at Delaware Park.
JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Jorge Delgado
THE PICK: Gaudreau
LIVE LONGSHOT: Club Reign
SUPERFECTA: 3-5-4-2
