Archwarrior looking to trump an intriguing Champagne Stakes field
Trainer Todd Pletcher has scared off all competition in the Grade 1, $400,000 Foxwoods Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on October 6, 2012, by entering his undefeated trio, but Doug O’Neill didn’t deter, as he is entering only, Goldencents, to fathom Pletcher’s threat in the 1 mile event.
Brilliant winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, Shanghai Bobby, will be accompanied by maiden winner, Archwarrior and Micromanage, but to make this year’s Champagne Stakes all the more intriguing, trainer Jeremy Noseda will be entering, Chief Havoc, who is coming to participate all the way from England.
The Champagne Stakes is the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, and all the participants will be looking to earn that automatic berth to run in the Grade 1 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park this fall.
Starlight Racing’s 2-year-old colt, Shanghai Bobby has a perfect record by winning 3 in as many starts, won the 5 ½ furlong long Track Barron Stakes at Belmont Park right after breaking his maiden at first asking at Aqueduct.
The Kentucky bred colt by Harlan’s Holiday will break from post number 2 under jockey Rosie Napravnik, and has been installed as the second choice at 3 to 1.
"We were encouraged with the way he rated in the Hopeful," said Pletcher. "Even though he was close to the pace, he was able to let horses go in front of him and seemed to settle pretty well. The fact he successfully got seven furlongs and wasn't desperate doing it was a good indication that a one-turn mile should be well within his scope."
However, Alto Racing’s son of Arch, Archwarrior is the morning line pick for the Champagne Stakes,as he debuted at Saratoga with a dominating performance, and he lived up to expectations.
Another maiden, from Doug O’Neill will threaten the chances of Pletcher’s trio to take the Champagne Stakes, as Goldencents look to land his first graded stakes win to announce his arrival.
Two local horses have also been names to run the 1 mile event, as Kiaran McLaughlin sends in Fortify, and Kelly Breen enters, Bern Identity.
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