Meet the Contenders: 2024 Champagne Stakes
Chancer McPatrick and Ferocious, the top two from the Hopeful (G1), loom large as 2025 Kentucky Derby hopefuls (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
October 2nd, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Champagne S. at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
J J Zo Zo wins the Smoke Glacken Stakes at Monmouth Park (Photo by Equi-Photo)
#1 J J Zo Zo **
Pro: Manhandled minor stakes foes at Monmouth for barn winning at 35% clip this year.
Con: Faces a much classier cast here and no guarantee he will be as effective over a mile.
Tip Top Thomas wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#2 Tip Top Thomas ****
Pro: Gutted out win in fast Saratoga maiden for barn that has won this a record six times.
Con: Plenty of other speed entered here and has a quarter-mile longer to negotiate.
There is a BRIGHT future ahead for #3 TIP TOP THOMAS! 🌠
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 24, 2024
Saratoga's leading rider @iradortiz gets the 1st time starter by @Three_Chimneys Stallion Volatile up in time for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. pic.twitter.com/VujrCLmbiG
Lethal Speed (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#3 Lethal Speed *
Pro: Overcame seven-length deficit to win at first asking and might get strong pace again.
Con: Step up in class from Gulfstream maiden is significant and difficult.
Mo Plex wins the Sanford (Photo by Coglianes Photography)
#4 Mo Plex **
Pro: NY-bred enters undefeated from three starts, including a pair of stakes wins.
Con: Didn’t stand out in restricted event last time and figures aren’t strong by comparison.
#8 Mo Plex stays perfect in the G3 Sanford at Saratoga under @iradortiz for trainer Jeremiah Englehart! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/DwHpRyrD4A
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) July 13, 2024
Uncaged (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#5 Uncaged ****
Pro: Son of Curlin a solid stalk-and-pounce debut winner; sure to stretch out.
Con: Must show he can be as effective on fast going; Ortiz sides with Tip Top Thomas.
Vekoma wins at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Chelsea Durrand)
#6 Vekoma Rides ***
Pro: Easy debut winner over this track on Sept. 14 by five lengths; should stretch out.
Con: Wheels back on three weeks’ rest, so faces fresher competition.
Politicallycorrect wins at Churchill Downs with Smokin Wicked in second. (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 Smoken Wicked ***
Pro: La.-bred ran a fine race in Hopeful (G1), doing the dirty work before tiring late.
Con: Although he’s held his own in open stakes, appears a cut below the top players.
#2 Showcase stays perfect and was the best in the G2 Saratoga Special! @iradortiz was up for trainer Todd Pletcher. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vE7dMmEWfr
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 10, 2024
TwinSpires
#8 Colonel Bob *
Pro: Cruised in debut and recent works suggest he can continue to improve.
Con: Beat a less talented group of maidens at Parx; significant class test here.
Executive Order wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#9 Executive Order ***
Pro: Dominated foes on debut, albeit in an auction maiden.
Con: Deserves to take on stronger, though this looks a notably tough task.
#7 Executive Order is a debut winner in the opener at Saratoga at odds of 5/1! 🏇
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 31, 2024
Jose Lezcano guided the 2YO son of Unified for trainer Phillip Serpe. pic.twitter.com/vPQcDKpMP3
Chancer Mcpatrick wins the Hopeful S. (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Suisie Raisher)
#10 Chancer McPatrick *****
Pro: Closed resolutely to graduate and then capture Hopeful at the Spa.
Con: One-run closer will again likely need a strong pace for best chance.
#8 Chancer McPatrick surges late to take the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga at odds of 4/1!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 2, 2024
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owner: Flanagan Racing pic.twitter.com/Q3sgO57Q2U
