The Champagne – Grade I (P10) [BC] [KYD]
BEL   Race #9   1m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $500.000  For Two Year Olds.

1 Ginger Haggis, trained by The Sidley Stud
The bot on this ones copybook came when trying the turf in an ungraded stakes in August. He was pretty terrible that day but bounced back with an unlikely win in the grade one Hopeful last time out. That run came right out of the blue although he has won three from four prior to his turf run with one of those being in the SA Juvenile. His works are good without being the best but he has two black type wins and the ace draw so you cant leave him out of your calculations.

2 Foolish panther, trained by Tiratzo
He has certainly shown he has the heart for a fight winning his last two by a neck and a half length. That last win came in the Aspirant Stakes and i can see no good reason that he wont be in the firing line at some point. The trip may be a question mark though he has worked a decent mile time so it shouldnt be an issue so he too must be given a chance of getting into the frame.

3 Leftie, trained by Asgar
His best win came last time out in a four and half furlong ungraded stakes so you would be forgiven for thinking this trip would be way too far but he stayed on well enough in a turf allowance the time before to suggest that a mile is not beyond his reach. His work times are pretty good so he must go into the mix for a possible placing but i think the win may be beyond him.

4 Clockwork Chai, trained by Mb Stables
Unbeaten in three but has never won by more than a quarter length so he is either a brave colt who knows where the line is or a few inches away from still being a maiden. Winning form is good form though and you cant knock hs wins especially his last where he took the ungraded Simcoe Stakes by a nose. His work times are among the best and he has finished off his races like he would stay a mile so there are plenty of reasons to think this one may be the answer in a tricky race to call.

5 Made To Sin, trained by Downwind Stables
Bought from Harrell Racing for $500 after his closing second in the Sanford e quickly made his mark for the new owner when making all for a one length win in the grade one DMR Futurity. He put up a huge 1.36 and 2 mile work a couple of weeks back and that work and grade one winning form make him a very hot prospect for this. I might just add that he is working faster than the three year old contenders for the KYD were working this March so you would be a fool to think his Futurity win was a flash in the pan.

6 Jolly Be Native, trained by Gdp Inc
Another fast worker he took the grade two SAR Special with a strong front running display in August and then raced up on the pace when second in the grade one Hopeful. His running style will make this mile seem like five but he has the form on the board and will be among the top fancies.

7 The Great Bonsai, trained by Allinthegate
This is the second unbeaten two year old in a mouth watering field and whilst his works are a tad off the best of these you cannot knock his four wins. A brave half length win in the grade three AP Washington Futurity last time ploughing through a muddy track was the performance that impressed me most. Previously he had won three off the bounce with two black type wins and very often sticky ground can undo a good horse. That wasnt the case with this one and he showed the type of determination that may be crucial in such an even field.

8 Industry Connection, trained by Mb Stables
Another strong entry from the stable he made it three wins in a row with a game win in the ungraded Funny Cide last time. He races like a mile will suit and has work times and form to put him right in this.

9 Hogmanay, trained by Rheingold Stables
One look at his form and you could write this fellow off pretty quick, but look a bit deeper and yu will find a sub 1.37 work and no runs further than six furlongs suggesting this mile may bring great things for him. It would be a long shot but he is working like a champ and thats all that seems to matter at HRP these days.

10 Winter Is Coming, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Bought for $250 from Night Mare Racing after a win in the FL Sire Stakes – Fager and a close fourth in the FL Sire Stakes – Affirmed. He has some nice work times but i fear his on pace style a wide gate and his ability to stay a mile may be his undoing.

11 Final Delivery, trained by Mb Stables
Scratched

12 Cretinus, trained by Diablo Diablo
Looks out of this with just average form and a wide gate.

13 Ninety Forty Niner, trained by John Henry
Has been changing hands for big money but has yet to prove himself on the race track. His work over this course and distance was very nice indeed but i will have to see some evidence of that pace in a race before i get enthusiastic about him.

SUMMARY
The fact that most of these two year olds are working the same as the three year olds were pre KYD is a worrying trend but it also makes this race incredibly hard to read. I like the fact that The Great Bonsai won against the track last time and he seems to have the heart but his work times are no match for the likes of Clockwork Chai and Made To Sin. I think one of those three may win and i favor Made To Sin but this is a tight race and anything could potentially get a trip and go and win.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES