Champagne Stakes
- Location: Belmont Park, Elmont, NY
- Inaugural Race: 1867
- Distance: 1 mile (8 furlongs)
- Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
- Age Qualifications: Two Year Olds
- 2020 Purse: $250,000
- 2020 Race Date: Saturday, October 10th
The Champagne Stakes is both a Breeders' Cup Challenge and Road to the Kentucky Derby points race. The means the late summer competition for 2-year-olds holds a great deal of meaning. Kentucky Derby point allotment sits at 10-4-2-1 for first, second, third and fourth finishing contenders.
2020 Champagne Stakes Entries and Results
| POST | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WIN | PLACE |
|---|
4 | Jackie's Warrior | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | $3.70 | $2.10 |
5 | Reinvestment Risk | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Chad C. Brown | $2.10 | |
6 | Midnight Bourbon | Jose L. Ortiz | Steven M. Asmussen | ||
3 | Civil War | Kendrick Carmouche | Thomas Albertrani | ||
2 | Run Casper Run | Jose Lezcano | Juan C. Vazquez | ||
1 | Ambivalent | John R. Velazquez | Doug F. O'Neill |
Exotic Payouts
- $2 Exacta (4-5) Paid: $4.90
- $2 Trifecta (4-5-6) Paid: $7.20
- $2 Superfecta (4-5-6-3) Paid: $25.40
Watch the 2020 Champagne Stakes
The History of the Champagne Stakes
First held in 1867, the Champagne Stakes moved to Belmont Park in 1905. After it was increased in distance from a sprint to one mile in 1940, it became arguably the most important juvenile race in North America until the advent of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 1984.
Today it’s a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “win and you’re in” prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Five horses have completed the double: Fly So Free, Timber Country, War Pass, Uncle Mo, and Shanghai Bobby.
It is also part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series. The first four horses across the line earn points on the table on a 10-4-2-1 basis.
Several winners of the Champagne Stakes have gone on to win Classics; they include Ben Brush, Plaudit, Colin, Grey Lag, Bubbling Over, Mate, Alsab, Count Fleet, Capot, Riva Ridge, Foolish Pleasure, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Sea Hero, Timber Country, Birdstone, and Union Rags.
However, there have been some notable defeats. The Champagne Stakes was one of just two races in which Alydar finished ahead of Affirmed. Secretariat won the race in 1972 but was disqualified and placed second due to interference, while the same fate happened to 1970 to Hoist the Flag – an outstanding horse whose jockey Jean Cruguet rated as better than his Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, but who was injured prior to the 1971 Classics.
Today it’s a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “win and you’re in” prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Five horses have completed the double: Fly So Free, Timber Country, War Pass, Uncle Mo, and Shanghai Bobby.
It is also part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series. The first four horses across the line earn points on the table on a 10-4-2-1 basis.
Several winners of the Champagne Stakes have gone on to win Classics; they include Ben Brush, Plaudit, Colin, Grey Lag, Bubbling Over, Mate, Alsab, Count Fleet, Capot, Riva Ridge, Foolish Pleasure, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Sea Hero, Timber Country, Birdstone, and Union Rags.
However, there have been some notable defeats. The Champagne Stakes was one of just two races in which Alydar finished ahead of Affirmed. Secretariat won the race in 1972 but was disqualified and placed second due to interference, while the same fate happened to 1970 to Hoist the Flag – an outstanding horse whose jockey Jean Cruguet rated as better than his Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, but who was injured prior to the 1971 Classics.