Happy Champagne Day!

If you like two year old racing – today’s Belmont card is perfect for you with six graded stakes for juveniles. Top billing is shared by the Grade 1 Frizette and Grade 1 Champagne, both of which are “win and you’re in” races for their respective Breeders’ Cup divisions. We also have an all-stakes Pick 6 as part of the betting action.

Trivia Question: Today are the last Grade 1 races in New York for the year. What was the first Grade I race in New York in 2026?

Race 8 The Champagne – Grade 1

One Mile On The Dirt for Two Year Olds

1. Johnny Hockey: Didn’t show much in four starts in NY, then shipped to Monmouth where he broke his maiden (45 Beyer). Off that maiden score the connections moved him to a turf sprint stakes race in the Skidmore, where he didn’t show much. Now he is back to the dirt and stretches out to the flat mile. Don’t see it.
2. Raku: Won at first asking for Kelly Been at Monmouth (58 Beyer) going five furlongs. Came back off that win and lost a head bob in the Sapling Stakes also at Monmouth going a two turn mile (71 Beyer). In the Sapling he was much the best as he was five and then four wide the whole way, while the winner rode the rail. Should get an inside trip from post two. Only one work since the Sapling but it was a bullet work at Monmouth 47.3 (1/85). Attracts Paco to the mount. Kelly Breen wins consistently shipping over from Jersey – winning at a solid 23% clip on the NYRA circuit. U.S. S. Valor and Gaudreau are clearly the favorites but off a very limited record. These are two year olds and they are often not the most consistent performers. I’ll take a shot at a price with Raku. The Pick.
3. Gaudreau: Won on debut (89 Beyer) as he pressed the pace and dug in nicely to hold off two closers in a race that produced two next out winners including U.S. S. Valor. If this Chad Brown trainee moves forward in his second career start he can contend for the top prize. Gets a piece.
4. Club Reign: Won first out for Whit Beckman at Saratoga going six furlongs by pressing the leader from the outside and then drew off when asked (73 Beyer). Underneath.
5. U.S. S. Valor: Team Valor homebred crushed a MSW field on closing weekend at the Spa where he pressed the pace and then drew off to win by thirteen lengths earning the best two year old Beyer of the year, a 105. That followed a decent third with a trouble trip (88 Beyer) a month earlier in his debut. He romped at seven furlongs at the Spa – now Shug sends him out to tackle the one turn mile. Logical short favorite. Will he bounce?
6. Earth Song: Cross entered at Delaware Pak in the ungraded Rocky Run Stakes. Defeated a three horse MSW field at Monmouth where he broke slow but was much the best (69 Beyer). Faces a lot tougher today and stretches out to a mile. Water is too deep.

Picks 2-5-3-4

Race 9 The Frizette – Grade 1

One Mile On The Dirt for Two Year Old Fillies

1. Revenge of the Sis: George Weaver gave this $500k Girvin filly her first start in the one mile Sorority Stakes at Monmouth where she broke poorly and was last of the group early. She did get into position as she got through on the rail but had too much work to do to threaten the winner (71 Beyer). Showed she could pass horses and is the only entrant to have gone eight furlongs. Contender at a price.
2. She’s a Twelve: Broke her maiden versus NJ state breds in her third career start for Kelly Breen as she stumbled at the gate but went to the front, and took the field all the way (59 Beyer). It was a short field of four that day and it doesn’t look like she beat much. This is much deeper water. Don’t see it.
3. Girls Wear Pearls: Didn’t show much in her first two starts on the turf at Saratoga so Jenna Antanucci shipped this Hard Spun filly to DelMar where she broke her maiden on the dirt going five and a half (57 Beyer). Now she come back east and stays on the dirt while stretching out to a mile. Passing.
4. Libby Lloyd: In her maiden voyage she broke on top and never looked back winning by ten lengths (78 Beyer). She’ll need to show she can stretch out and you’ll get a short price with the Chad/Prat combo. Underneath.
5. Dotsy: Won on debut at Saratoga going six and a half furlongs in an auction price restricted maiden race where she got pinched back at the start but a patient ride by Kendrick got her into position and she was best late (69 Beyer). Exotics only.
6. Run Twist: Broke her maiden in her third career start as Paco sat mid-pack, she then leveled off nicely in the final eighth (78 Beyer) to get clear. She won at seven furlongs and it looks like she wants more ground – so the mile should definitely suit her. She should be able to sit a trip just off and outside the early pace setters. The Pick.
7. Velora: Linda Rice trainee won at first asking in state bred company at Saratoga (64 Beyer). She went to the state bred Seeking the Ante stakes on closing weekend as she won via a stalk and pounce trip (78 Beyer) as the 3/5 favorite. Faces tougher today but the outside draw will allow Manny Franco to pick his spot. Win candidate.

Picks 6-7-1-4

Trivia Answer: The Beverly Steinman, a Grade 1 steeplechase race, was the first Grade I run on the NYRA circuit this year. It was run on June 3^rd as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.