Happy Champagne Day! 

Four graded stakes at the Big A today led by two Grade 1s – the Frizette and the Champagne. Both are “win and you’re in” races for their respective Breeders’ Cup divisions.  

Trivia Question: The Frizette and Champagne are the last Grade Is contested on the NYRA circuit for the year. What was the first Grade I run in New York this year ? 

Race 6 The Frizette – Grade 1 

One Mile On The Dirt for Two Year Old Fillies 

1. Jetty’s Home: Still a maiden after three starts as she finished second in a restricted maiden last out where she hung a bit when she got to the front (68 Beyer). Passing.
2. Carmel Coast: Impressive debut winner at the Spa where she broke in the lead group, ran away from the field, and was comfortable the entire stretch (86 Beyer). Possible.
3. Rileytole : Broke her maiden at Gulfstream with a rally in the lane (59 Beyer). Found the water was a bit too deep in the Spinaway (63 Beyer) but he did keep coming to finish a distant third. Hard to see.
4. Rina’s Revenge: Sat off the pace by more than ten lengths down the backstretch but once she got going she rolled by the state bred MSW field to win comfortably (59 Beyer). Moves to open stakes company. Passing.
5. Secane: Broke on top in his first effort and never looked back drawing off in the lane (74 Beyer) going seven furlongs at Gulfstream. Contender at a price.
6. Iron Orchard: New York bred has won both career starts on the front end. She was visually impressive in the state bred Seeking the Ante Stakes as she shook off a pace presser and waltzed down the lane under a hand ride to win by an easy six lengths (81 Beyer). The Pick.
7. Chopsticks: Two time winner including a nice score in the Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park for Brad Cox (68 Beyer). Her maiden race produced two other next out winners. Live one.
8. Icecreamforeveryone: Was a good second in her debut effort as she was well off the pace but got going on the turn but was bested by Five Bars in the lane (60 Beyer). Needs to be faster. Could get a slice if the pace is too hot. Exotics.
9. Five Bars: Won her debut with an off the pace score as she came rolling in the lane (60 Beyer) for Shug. Ignore the Beyer she had a ton of trouble at the break. Working well. Using.
10. Steer Clear: In her second career start she wired the field going seven furlongs (72 Beyer) as she had it her own way with no one challenging her. Don’t see it.
11. Lovely Christina: Broke her maiden on the front end as she cruised and showed some pop late as Paige Turner started to come to her (72 Beyer). Won’t have it so easy here.

Picks 6-9-2-5 

Race 7 The Champagne – Grade 1 

One Mile On The Dirt for Two Year Olds 

1. Curtain Call: Broke his maiden over a sloppy Spa track with a stalk and pounce trip where he drew clear late (82 Beyer). He went to the Hopeful off that win and he ran well but was no match for Ted Noffey (82 Beyer). Didn’t look like he wanted more ground.
2. 2. Stradale: Only maiden in the race was just nipped by Talkin where Stradale led the whole way and got a bit short and was nailed at the wire (81 Beyer). Does he want a mile? Hmmmm.
3. Universe: Won his debut at 17-1 going seven panels as he sat in behind the leaders and when a seamed opened up at the eighth pole – he was best (68 Beyer). Needs an improvement. Minor award.
4. Aye Eye: Won his first start in an auction price restricted maiden race by coming from the clouds (62 Beyer). Broke slowly in the Hopeful but never recovered (73 Beyer) and was a no impact distant fifth. Not convinced.
5. 5. Just ASAP: Won at first asking at Ellis Park as he easily handled a maiden claimer field (60 Beyer). He passed on the Hopeful and instead went two turns in Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park where he set the pace and was game but he just came up short (80 Beyer). Needs a step forward.
6. It’s Our Time: In his debut at the Spa he demolished a maiden field by seventeen lengths as he sat off the early speed, cruised by on the turn and drew off under a vigorous hand ride earning a 94 Beyer. Tom Amoss reported they have been training him to relax and settle in behind – which is what he will want to do here with speed drawn to his outside. The Pick.
7. Stickupwithoutagun: NY bred started off with a state bred turf race then moved to the dirt and looked strong in winning against state breds as he sat in the second flight, moved as they turned for home and won comfortably (67 Beyer). That race has had eight returners to the track already and there isn’t much to report with the highest Beyer being 62. Water is too deep.
8. 8. Napolean Solo: Won an auction price restricted maiden race with a nice trip as this Liam’s Map colt was kept in the clear and then ran down by the leader to win by five lengths (83 Beyer). Firing bullets on the training track leading into this, likely pace setter. Gets a piece.
9. Talkin: Won in his first career start via a patient ride by Kendrick, who stays aboard, ran down the leader in the final jumps after a pocket trip (82 Beyer). That experience will help him as he has plenty of speed to deal with here and should be able to sit a trip from this outside post. Dangerous.

Picks 6-9-8-3 

Trivia Answer: The first Grade 1 on the NYRA circuit this year was the Beverly R. Steinman Stakes, a steeplechase race contested during the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga racing festival.