Tipsheet: 2024 Champagne Stakes

A fine field of 10 two-year-olds will go postward in the $500,000 Champagne S. (G1) at Aqueduct on Saturday. The "Win and You’re In" event will reward the winner with a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1. 

Champagne Stakes Picks

• #10 Chancer McPatrick
• #8 Colonel Bob
• #2 Tip Top Thomas
• #6 Vekoma Rides

Champagne Stakes Wagers

• $30 win #10 Chancer McPatrick
• $5 exacta key box 10 with 2,6,8
• 50-cent trifecta 10 with 2,6,8 with all

Champagne Stakes Contenders

#1 J J ZO ZO – Jose Sanchez pupil rolled home to a facile tally in the Smoke Glacken S. at Monmouth and gets the rail for his graded debut. The fleet son of Sea Wizard will be sent from the break on the stretch-out in distance, but others appear more likely in this stacked cast. 

#2 TIP TOP THOMAS – First of two Todd Pletcher pupils in the group was game in securing a win at first asking under today’s pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. The chestnut son of Volatile has trained forwardly in preparation for Saturday, and he will be in the mix late with an expected move forward. 

#3 LETHAL SPEED – Kantharos colt made a big late run to graduate in his unveiling at Gulfstream Park for Shivananda Parbhoo, but he will need to show marked improvement to take down this cast at an expected big price. Jose Gomez has the assignment. 

#4 MO PLEX – Unblemished Jeremiah Englehart trainee will aim to carry his speed one mile following a trio of strong sprint performances to date. The bay son of fine freshman sire Complexity has been well backed in each of his lifetime runs and wouldn’t be a big surprise with Manny Franco inheriting the mount. 

#5 UNCAGED – Curlin colt was a sharp winner in his first go at the Spa and seems poised to appreciate the added ground with which to work with in this spot. The second of the Pletcher duo will get Joel Rosario to ride, and the intriguing long-term prospect will be doing his best work late in the heat. 

#6 VEKOMA RIDES – John Kimmel second-timer dominated maiden foes on the course on debut and could be any kind going forward. The Vekoma colt gave the impression of a horse who will thrive with the added distance, and I expect him to challenge for a top-three finish beneath Kendrick Carmouche. 

#7 SMOKEN WICKED – Speedy Cajun-bred was third in the Saratoga Special (G2) and fourth in the Hopeful (G1) in his last pair of assignments. The chestnut colt has improved his Brisnet Speed number in each career start in advance of Saturday, and another step forward makes him a danger for Dallas Stewart. 

#8 COLONEL BOB – Yorkton colt was an excellent debut winner at Parx and is very appealing at a nice number. The Butch Reid trainee fired a bullet four panels in advance of Saturday and will be in the hunt late if he moves up in his initial try at a route of ground. Mychel Sanchez retains the ride. 

#9 EXECUTIVE ORDER – Phil Serpe trainee rolled clear to a daylight win in his unveiling at Saratoga and can’t be dismissed second time out. The $18,000 son of Unified has good early foot and will likely stalk the pace from the second flight early on with Jose Lezcano taking the reins. 

#10 CHANCER MCPATRICK – Top pick and one to beat has displayed a powerful turn of foot in both lifetime tries to date and rates a big chance to make it 3-for-3. The Chad Brown trainee earned a superb 110 Brisnet Late Pace number in his Hopeful S. (G1) victory, so the move to one mile will likely be a seamless one. Regular pilot Flavien Prat will guide the son of McKinzie and have him making a run from well off the early tempo.