Las Vegas, NV – Belmont Park in Elmont, New York will play host to the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes on Saturday, October 3. A purse of $500,000 will be on the line for two year olds willing to go one mile on Belmont Park’s main track.
A field of nine juveniles have been confirmed for the Champagne Stakes – race 8 on Belmont Park’s stacked Saturday card. Post time is 4: 18 PM. Here is a peek into the past performances of all nine entries for this Grade 1 stakes – a “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland Oct. 31.
Ralis 3-1 – impressive Doug O’Neill trained colt has five career starts with two wins and a second place finish. He enters off an easy 5 3/4 length win at 7-1 odds in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga September 7, a second in the minor Graduation Stakes at Del Mar August 5 and an uncharacteristic fifth in the minor Summer Juvenile Championship at Los Alamitos in July. Ralis seems to be peeking at just the right time. He departs from post 5 with Javier Castellano in the reins of the morning line favorite hoping to make it two straight graded stakes scores.
Tale of S’avall 7-2 – will make just his second career start for trainer Barclay Tagg – the first being a maiden score by two lengths at Saratoga August 29. He hopes to make it two in a row to start his career when he leaves from post 7 with Cornelio Velasquez in the irons.
Ready Dancer 5-1 – debuted with a third place finish July 4 and has gotten better in two starts since for trainer Todd Pletcher. Last time out was a maiden score in his third career start – August 29 at Saratoga after a second in a MSW August 1. Ready Dancer has improved every time out and hopes to continue that trend Saturday – from post 3 with the legend John Velazquez aboard.
Greenpointcrusader 5-1 – makes his stakes debut Saturday for trainer Dominick Schettino after breaking maiden last time out in his second career start – at Saratoga September 5. His debut was a second in a similar race July 25. Greenpointcrusader has been OK against lesser competition and hopes to carry the momentum into top company. Joe Bravo rides from gate 2.
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Magna Light 6-1 – Rudy Rodriguez trained colt has placed in all three career starts – a maiden score at first asking was followed by a third after crossing the line first and getting DQ’s two spots for interference in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga in July and a good second behind Ralis in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on that same track September 7. He has been in every race so far and hopes to be again Saturday. Jose Ortiz has the mount from the rail.
Rafting 8-1 – has two career starts for trainer Graham Motion with one win – that coming last time out at Saratoga September 5. He debuted with a seventh on that same track August 8. Rafting takes a huge step up in competition Saturday from gate 6 Saturday with Irad Ortiz guiding him and hoping to make a big statement in top company.
Sail Ahoy 12-1 – Shug McGaughey trained colt broke maiden last time out – in his second career start on this very track. He was third in his debut at Saratoga August 29. Sail Ahoy takes a huge step up in competition Saturday hoping to make a little noise in Stakes company. Joel Rosario gets the call from gate 4.
Portfolio Manager 12-1 – Chad Brown trained colt will hit the track for the second time after a second in his debut at Saratoga August 22. Manuel Franco has been tabbed to ride Saturday from the outside post 9.
Sunny Ridge 20-1 – has two wins in three career starts for trainer Jason Servis – the only blemish being a rather disappointing seventh two starts back in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga July 25. He enters off a good win in the minor Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park September 6 and his other start was a maiden Claiming score on that same track in June. Sunny Ridge will have Junior Alvarado guiding him from gate 8 hoping to carry his momentum to a first graded stakes score.