Champagne

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $400,000 Champagne S. (G1) features a strong field of 10

juveniles, including the top three finishers from the Hopeful S. (G1). VINEYARD

HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]) got the better of runner-up CRIBNOTE (Read the

Footnotes) and third-placer MUNNINGS (Speightstown) that afternoon, but we'll

turn that finish around and select the top three in reverse order on Saturday.

Munnings overcame a poor start to win his career debut on July 26, drawing

off to a 4 1/4-length decision while earning a terrific 98 BRIS Speed rating,

but gate problems essentially cost him all chance last time when he stumbled and

got off to a terrible start in the Hopeful. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt still

managed to rally for a respectable third, registering a solid 93 Speed figure,

and we believe he'll improve significantly off that performance. The chestnut

has worked well at Belmont since then, including a four-furlong breeze in :47

4/5 on Tuesday, and there appears to be plenty of speed in the line-up. We'll

look for him to rally from just off the pace for the win.

After recording a scintillating 13 1/2-length score over New York-bred rivals

two starts back, Cribnote carried his form forward while stepping up in class in

the Hopeful, finishing second by 2 1/4 lengths, and there's reason to believe

he'll run even better with blinkers added on Saturday. The Richard Violette pupil advanced into a

threatening position before blowing the turn at Saratoga last time, bolting

toward the outside rail, and appeared completely out of it a furlong from the

finish. However, the chestnut colt straightened course under jockey Rajiv Maragh

and re-rallied in deep stretch, passing several rivals to be a clear second. His

BRIS Speed and Pace numbers are among the best in the field, and Cribnote is a

threat to put it all together with victory.

Vineyard Haven loses Alan Garcia to GIROLAMO (A.P. Indy) off his wire-to-wire

win in the Hopeful, and the Bobby Frankel trainee figures to face early pressure

from the start. However, we can't discount Vineyard Haven's chances on the front end off his

superb score in the Hopeful in which he ripped off fast fractions before drawing

off in upper stretch. The gray colt received a 99 Speed rating that day, and the

one-turn, one-mile distance should be no problem for him on Saturday. Don't be

surprised to see another strong showing.

HELLO BROADWAY (Broken Vow) was a good-looking debut winner last time for

Barclay Tagg, and the half-brother to Grade 1 winner Nobiz Like Shobiz ranks

first in Prime Power (142.5) based on that performance. We certainly won't be

surprised to see him develop into a Grade 1 performer, but Hello Broadway will

face an extreme test against a talented group of rivals with more seasoning.

He's still eligible to rally for a top three placing, so give him consideration

for the exotics.

VENTANA (Toccet) blew past his rivals to win at first asking last time for

Bob Baffert, recording a 5 1/2-length decision, and Victor Espinoza will pick up

the mount in the colt's first start against winners. The runner-up that

afternoon, Prince Charming (Vindication), rolled to a convincing win last

Saturday, and Ventana could prove to be any type in the future. We're tempted to

give him a race versus stakes rivals, but he does scare us.

GONE ASTRAY (Dixie Union) lacked a rally in the Futurity S. (G2), but that was run

over a "good" track that he may not have cared for. The Shug McGaughey runner

displayed an excellent turn of foot when breaking his maiden two starts back at

Saratoga, and he'll look to make a late run here with new jockey Ramon

Dominguez. His Speed figures are a little bit lower than his top rivals, but

Gone Astray is another dangerous entrant who could step up in a big way on

Saturday.

Girolamo was in position but failed to challenge in the Futurity last

time, and we haven't been impressed by his Speed ratings in either start. The Kiaran McLaughlin runner still owns a ton of room for improvement, and he has a

terrific pedigree. We liked the way he finished when breaking his maiden at

first asking, but we'll look for more down the road from the promising colt.

BRAVE VICTORY (Lion Heart) rolled to a 7 1/4-length maiden win in his third

career start last time, but the Nick Zito-trained colt won't enjoy the same

favorable trip in this spot. He's another who could develop into a very nice

performer at the stakes level, but this could prove to be a learning experience.

BREAK WATER EDISON (Lemon Drop Kid) could add to the pace, but

he faltered in the stretch of the Hopeful and will have to carve out a favorable

trip from the rail here. We'll take a stand against him. A. P. CARDINAL (A.P.

Indy) will push the pace from the start, but we'll be surprised to see the

Monmouth maiden winner sustain his speed.