After getting a score of 1 in the previous start, Gulfport will try to secure his first win of the highest level as he faces five other minors expected in the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) on October 1 in Belmont at the grand prix. Big A meeting.
The one mile test draws only six dark horses, all of whom are looking for their initial graded bets to win on Saturday at Aqueduct race track. The race is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge event, awarding Winners and Paid Friends in the FanDuel Breeders’ Juvenile Cup (G1) Friday, November 4 at Keeneland.
Campaigned by a partnership of Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Ranch, Oaks Whisper Farm and Coolmore Stud, Gulfport finished in second place in a row with bets graded at Racecourse Saratoga. The son of Uncle Mo most recently finished second Forte in the Share of Hope (G1) on September 5 after completing 3 1/4 of the rear length Damon’s Mound in the Saratoga Special Share August 13 (G2).
Coached by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Gulfport earned his debut in June at Churchill Downs before overwhelming five other minors there to win the Bashford Manor Stakes by 12 1/4 lengths on July 4.
Gulfport has proven himself ready for the challenges of racing as Saturday will mark a fifth straight month he has started. He has worked twice on the Saratoga track since Hopeful. Asmussen will be looking for his second Champagne win in the last three years after winning in 2020 with Jackie’s Warrior.
Saturday’s race also drew a third-place finisher from Hopeful in Rodeo Creek Racing’s Blazing Sevens son of the new born sir Good magic . The Hopeful was a second start for the Blazing Sevens, who wrapped up her six-feathered maiden debut to a July 24th 6 1/4 win in Saratoga.
“The horse has been very well trained and you never know what you’ll get into in Saratoga in those races, but it came out and established itself as one of our top prospects.” , coach Chad Brown said of that initial victory. “He had a (sloppy) track in Hopeful and it was tough for him, but he tried and he galloped well. I think as the distance increases we’ll see. what’s best about this horse.”
Brown, of course, Good Magic condition, who won the junior men’s championship title in 2017 and finished second behind the eventual Triple Crown winner Evenly in the 2018 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Brown said it was special to be given a pony by Good Magic.
NYRA publicly reports Hopeful winners, Forte being shown to Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1), a 1/16-mile test on October 8 in Keeneland.
Mr. Amore Stable’s Andiamo a Firezne drew rails on Saturday’s test after scoring 5 1/2 over other New York hybrids in the Funny Cide Stakes game presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on Aug. 26 at Spa . Coach Mike Maker joined Top Recruitment the son of Boatman who posted a tight win on August 14 in Runhappy Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes.
The playoffs were a pair of runners-up who had an impressive first win at Saratoga in Champion dream and Verification in progress . The latter is a son of Justify freshman sire purchased by his Coolmore-affiliated owners for $775,000 at the Keeneland 2021 Sale September 2021.
Coach Brad Cox said Verifying has trained well at Churchill Downs since his first six-month win on Aug. 27. Cox said he’s confident Verifying will perform well at launch. .
“We have the freedom to run where we think he can compete when he’s ready,” Cox said. “I feel like when he’s ready to debut, he’s strong enough to win and reacts well. He’s a very smart horse and I’m pleased with what I’ve seen from him since. that race.”
Item: Champagne S. (G1)
Belmont at Big ASaturday, October 1, 2022, Race No. 10
- Level I
- 1m
- Dust
- 500,000 dollars
- 2 yo
- 5:45pm (local)
