U.S.S. Valor, Gaudreau rematch on in Champagne

In what might be the first program devoted exclusively to two-year-olds in New York racing history, Belmont Park hosts a half dozen stakes on its 11-race card Saturday, including the prestigious Champagne (G1) and Frizette (G1). 

U.S.S. Valor, arguably the most dazzling maiden winner of the Saratoga meet, will look to validate that promise in the $500,000 Champagne over one mile. Although beaten on debut Aug. 8, U.S.S. Valor rebounded to win, geared down by 13 1/4 lengths going seven furlongs on Sept. 7, earning a 105 Brisnet Speed rating.

The horse that beat U.S.S. Valor in that Aug. 8 test, Gaudreau, has also popped up in the Champagne. Although victorious by only a half-length, Gaudreau has been subsequently flattered not only by U.S.S. Valor but also by runner-up Coach Pope, who came back to earn a 99 Speed rating when graduating at Churchill Downs by more than a dozen lengths.

“He's a good-looking horse, typical of the sire -- he throws good horses and really stamps them, and he's no different, this fellow,” said trainer Chad Brown of Gaudreau, a son of Nyquist. “Athletic, strong, good-moving horse. Always trained really well.”

If U.S.S. Valor and Gaudreau run back to or better their Saratoga form, it’s hard to envision any of the other Champagne entrants threatening. Among the others, the more logical contenders are Saratoga graduate Club Reign and recent Sapling S. runner-up Raku.

The Champagne winner receives an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 30, while the respective top five finishers will earn 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1.

Brown might have the filly to beat in the $500,000 Frizette at one mile in Libby Lloyd, a 10-length debut winner during the Saratoga meet. Also in the mix is the New York-bred Velora, who ran her record to 2-for-2 in state-bred company in the Seeking the Ante S. on Sept. 4.

The Frizette top five will earn qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1, respectively, toward the 2027 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

The $250,000 Pilgrim (G2) and $250,000 Miss Grillo (G2), both over 1 1/16 miles, will award berths to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), respectively. Although no horse in either race has won beyond maiden level, one intriguing entrant in the Pilgrim, Dover Street, is himself a maiden.

Shipping in from England for trainer Richard Hannon, Dover Street has placed in two of three starts and most recently fell a half-length short of Alfred Wallace in the seven-furlong Solario (G3) at Sandown.

The $200,000 Futurity (G3) and $200,000 Matron (G3) for fillies, both over six furlongs on the turf, are the other two stakes offerings. The Futurity winner will receive an expenses-paid bid to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 30.