Belmont: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile berth on line in Grade 1 Champagne

By Rick Francis —-

A starting spot in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is up for grabs when twelve two-year-old colts and geldings battle in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes; let’s take a look at the field.

Belmont Park

Race 8) 1 Mile Champagne S. Grade I. Purse $500,000 FOR TWO YEAR OLDS

Post Time: ( 4:13)/ 3:13/ 2:13/ 1:13
ADVANCED FORECAST: Mostly Cloudy, High 74 Low 68.

Kowboy Karma (1), Jones/Cintron; disappointed as the race favorite last out, however Kodiak Kowboy gelding showed fight coming late to place.

Blame It On Honey (2), Farrior/Carmouche; overcame loading issues in last to win handily at Parx; first route test.

Stronger (3), Gulliot/Franco; Bodemeister colt stayed close early then pulled away from Gulfstream maidens; bullet work here.

Enticed (4), McLaughlin/Alvarado; Medaglia d’Oro colt battled a muddy Saratoga main for his maiden win; trainer over 20 percent in most conditioning angles.

Master Manipulator (5), Gulliot/Arroyo; colt by Tale of the Cat was all-game in placing last out at GP, just couldn’t get there; trainer surprises in these spots.

Good Magic (6), Brown/Ortiz, J; Curlin colt was denied throughout in his debut to finish second as a short price fave; Brown is over 30 percent with a beaten favorite next out.

Bahamian (7), Callaghan/Gutierrez; by Freedom Child, colt ships in from Del Mar where he gave up the lead to finish second; think he should’ve stayed out west.

Aveenu Malcainu (8), Englehart/Saez; Into Mischief colt is a perfect 2-for-2 with both wins coming at Saratoga. Trainer Englehart is having a fantastic year winning at a 27 percent clip; don’t overlook.

Honorable Treasure (9), McPeek/Davis; exits a very impressive maiden win at Saratoga, a rained-off affair; bettered eight rivals.

Full of Run (10), Servis/Juarez; Power Broker will need every bit of it for his first distance and class-test.

Hazit (11), Pletcher/Velazquez; colt out of War Front dominated a short field in his maiden debut, but no matter how many he faced if you overlook these connections it could cost you.

Firenze Fire (12), Servis/Ortiz, I; G3 Sanford winner weakened late last out in Grade 1 Hopeful; trainer Servis is well above average in all training angles except one, Graded Stakes.

Selections: 8, 4, 11, 6