Tipsheet: 2026 Champagne Stakes
U. S. S. Valor breaks his maiden at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)
A strong field of six juveniles will run one mile over the main strip at Belmont Park in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1).
Champagne Stakes Picks
- #5 U. S. S. Valor
- #3 Gaudreau
- #4 Club Reign
Champagne Stakes Wagers
Champagne Stakes Contenders
#1 JOHNNY HOCKEY: The most experienced contender in the cast gets the rail for trainer Antonio Arriaga. The Omaha Beach youngster moves back to the dirt after a stakes try on the lawn last time, but he has never run fast enough to challenge these and would be a major surprise under Katie Davis.
#2 RAKU: Kelly Breen pupil was a sharp debut winner at Monmouth and just missed in the subsequent Sapling S. at that venue most recently. The Kantharos colt proved capable of running eight furlongs last time, and he also smoked a bullet four panels leading up to this assignment. Paco Lopez will pilot the exotics contender.
#3 GAUDREAU: Debut winner from the Chad Brown barn defeated a good field including the favorite at Saratoga on Aug. 8. The $220,000 son of Nyquist has trained forwardly in the interim, and if he improves with the added distance on Saturday, then he has to be given a realistic chance under the guidance of Flavien Prat.
#4 CLUB REIGN: Whit Beckman charge was a fine maiden winner in his unveiling during Travers weekend at Saratoga and has a high ceiling, in my opinion. Purchased for $475,000 in the spring, the son of Core Beliefs got stronger as the race went on in his sprint debut, and he might thrive with the added distance in his second lifetime appearance. Edgard Zayas will pilot the February foal.
#5 U. S. S. VALOR: Shug McGaughey trainee had some trouble when a close third at first asking and rebounded with arguably the best maiden win of the year at Saratoga second time out. The War of Will homebred proved that seven furlongs was not a problem and the move to one mile might even benefit him. The fine juvenile prospect will retain the services of Manny Franco.
#6 EARTH SONG: Justify colt aired at first asking at Monmouth and gets a class test from the outside post for conditioner Jorge Delgado. The $250,000 spring purchase was well backed in his unveiling and is surely bred to handle the distance, so he can be in the mix for a minor award in the latter stages of the race with Ricardo Santana, Jr. in for the ride.
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