The Champagne – Grade I [BC]

BEL        Race #8             1m                       Dirt                      Graded Stake

Purse $500.00  For Two Year Olds.

1. Grass Crown – Jerry Garcia Racing

Works

Recent BEL drills are steady rather than sharp:

“23Sep26 BEL 6f fst 1:113 b (30/47)” “16Sep26 BEL 1f 1:373 h” Good maintenance, but not standout.

Form

Rock‑solid profile: 3 wins from 4, including a 97 turf win at KD. Dirt form is good but not dominant.

Trainer

Jerry Garcia Racing is consistent (205 starts, 36 wins, .18). Reliable but not a barn known for sudden leaps although they often find gems in their two year old crops and this is certainly one of them.

Verdict

After his brilliant and lucrative win in the KD Juvenile this son of Excoriator comes back to the main track to try and add to the BC points he picked up in the SAR Special. He looks to stretch out to the mile too but his breeding says he is up to that change. An on speed type from the ace gate he will be well supported but he does still have a bit to prove on dirt.

2. Celebrini – Big Jd Racing

Works

BEL 1f in 1:372 is fine; SAR 6f in 1:103 is sharper.

“15Aug26 SAR 6f fst 1:103 H (6/26)”

Form

Two wins, but both sprinting. His G2 run showed he can be outpaced early.

Trainer

Big Jd Racing is high‑volume (744 starts) but modest strike rate (.14). Capable, but not a top juvenile barn.

Verdict

He has certainly earned this shot and gets a great draw so certainly comes into calculations. A strong winner of the Funny Cide last time it is likely the trip will suit so has a chance to step up on his stakes efforts prior to that. He will go back and well all know that can be a gamble on this engine but if the leaders drift out as normal and he sticks to the rail he could find some success late.

3. Thats My Money – Family Racing

Works

PRX 6f in 1:111 is strong; 5f in :58.1 is sharp.

“19Sep26 PRX 6f fst 1:111 H (11/44)”

Form

Ultra‑consistent: 1‑3‑0 from 4 starts. His 7f win at DMR was gritty and suggests he’ll stay the mile.

Trainer

Family Racing is solid (.14 strike rate). Not elite, but reliable with improving juveniles.

Verdict

A sneaky improver with strong works and rising form. In his four starts he has won one but is always fighting in the finish and has shown plenty of heart to date rather than a big turn of foot. That sort of horse often improves for longer trips but he does need to improve to be a win contender.

4. Boutte – Royalty Stables

Works

CD 6f in 1:113 is decent; SAR 5f in :58.3 is sharp.

“3Sep26 SAR 5f fst :583 H (4/10)”

Form

Good sprint form, but his Iroquois mile run was only fair. Recently gelded (9/12), which may help.

Trainer

Royalty Stables is a high‑volume barn with a good strike rate (.15). Capable of producing big juvenile efforts.

Verdict

Showed plenty of pace in sprints but after getting nutted in the ELP Juvenile he was ridden with a  bit more restraint in the Iroquois and closed nicely for third over this mile. He is one of the few that has proven himself over the mile and that experience will certainly be beneficial in this big race. The trainer often pops up with a big juvenile, maybe this is the 2026 version.

5. Lex Lord – Mb Stables

Works

DMR 6f in 1:10.3 is excellent.

“31Aug26 DMR 6f fst 1:103 H (8/208)”

Form

Lightly raced; maiden win was decent but his DMR stakes run was poor.

Trainer

Mb Stables is one of the elite barns (2051 starts, .26 win rate). Improvement is always possible.

Verdict

Trainer power + sharp works = potential bounce‑back, but form is short of G1 level and he will have to step up today. Not as clear cut a chance as we normally see from this stable but he was impressive in a very fast time last time so will have plenty of admirers.

6. Umoja – London Racing

Works

BEL 6f in 1:10.4 is one of the best in the field.

“23Sep26 BEL 6f fst 1:104 H (4/47)”

Form

Strong G1 Hopeful third (98). His ELP Juvenile second was equally good. Always finishes strongly.

Trainer

London Racing is a smaller barn but efficient (.15 strike rate). This horse is clearly their star juvenile.

Verdict

Top contender: elite works + top‑class form + strong finishing style. This one is already a grade one winner over a furlong less so carries the form here for this race and whilst it is easy to put him on top because of that he will have to find his way through a full field with his closing running style. If things pan out he certainly has a huge chance but the race engine will have to pull off the timing twice in a row and that doesn’t happen too often.

7. Palantir – D J C Racing Stables

Works

DMR 6f in 1:10.4 is excellent; BEL 1f in 1:37.1 is steady.

“23Aug26 DMR 6f fst 1:11 H (8/44)”

Form

Consistent: 2 wins, G1 Futurity fourth. Improving with distance.

Trainer

D J C Racing Stables is a powerhouse (2411 starts). Juveniles from this barn often peak in autumn.

Verdict

Strong top‑four chance; works and trainer profile both positive. He was closing like a miler in waiting when a close fourth in the grade one DMR Futurity last time and there is a lot to like about him. His running style seems perfect, likely to sit just behind the speed and close enough to pounce.

8. Bold Chai – Noblepark

Works

BEL 6f in 1:12.2 is okay; DMR 1f in 1:37.2 is in the ballpark.

“18Sep26 BEL 6f fst 1:112 H (32/56)”

Form

Only two starts; maiden win was good but inexperienced for G1 level.

Trainer

Noblepark is solid (.13 strike rate). Usually improves horses with racing, but this one is raw.

Verdict

Too inexperienced; works strong enough but has a giant leap to make today. The mile will suit but there just isn’t enough to be confident. Of course that can all change in about a minute thirty-six!

9. Sacred Star – Serenity Stables

Works

BEL 6f in 1:10.4 is elite.

“18Sep26 BEL 6f fst 1:104 H (17/56)”

Form

G2 winner at SAR; excellent consistency; strong finishing kick.

Trainer

Serenity Stables is a capable barn that seems to be back to do some damage in the ranks this time (.12 strike rate). They place juveniles well and will be looking for more success with this one.

Verdict

Major win threat: top‑class form + top‑class works. Overcame a tough draw to win the SAR Special last time and once again gets no favors from the draw monster. The key to his chances will come through the first half of this race, where can he slot in? Will he be hung out wide? Maybe we will see a click of the gaming buttons but with his stable mate even wider I would expect a neutral start from this one. A big chance if he can overcome the draw again.

10. Snapped – Nynl Stables

Works

BEL 6f in 1:10.4 — one of the best in the race.

“22Sep26 BEL 6f fst 1:104 H (3/63)”

Form

Already a proven miler with two wins at the trip, including a dominant Sapling victory.

Trainer

Nynl Stables is consistent (.13 strike rate). Good with developing juveniles.

Verdict

Huge chance: proven at the distance + elite works. The popular SRF writer gets a chance here to get one in the BC and whilst the draw monster hasn’t been kind his late running style will probably see him go back wherever he jumps from. Dominant in his last two wins if he can find his way through traffic he will have every chance.

11. All The Right Stuff – Mo Mentum Farm

Works

BEL 4f in 47.4 is sharp; BEL 6f in 1:11 is strong.

“26Sep26 BEL 4f gd :474 b (2/2)”

Form

Improving with every run; SAR 7f win was strong.

Trainer

Mo Mentum Farm is reliable (.16 strike rate). Good at placing progressive juveniles.

Verdict

Dark horse; works suggest a forward move but he has a big step up to make today. His win at SAR was very good and suggested he will only get better the further he goes but with this wide draw he will likely go back and that will leave luck to play its part at the end.

12. Boomer – Serenity Stables

Works

CD 6f in 1:10.4 is elite.

“21Sep26 CD 6f fst 1:104 H (2/14)”

Form

Hopeful G1 runner‑up; excellent early speed; tough competitor.

Trainer

Serenity Stables again — this is their second major contender. They are having a strong juvenile season.

Verdict

Major player; works and form both top‑tier. There will be no complaints about the draw here as this runner up from the hopeful looks once again to use the wide gate launch to his advantage. The is very little speed inside him so he should get away well enough the key will be whether he dominates the speed alone or is taken on.

Race Summary:

Well these two year old races are tough to pick a winner in and this is no exception. It will comes down to pace as it always seems to because there are a few closers here that will need a fight up front. I am leaning towards the horse that maps the best and that is Palantir although there are eleven other good win chances in this race.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES