First run in 1867, the Champagne Stakes is one of the oldest races for 2-year-olds in North America and has long been a springboard for legendary horses early in their careers.
Welcome to Noel Michaels’ Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple of highlighted selections designed to help you cash a few bets and make some money.
A full field of a dozen 2-year-olds will compete for a “Win and You’re In” berth into the Brown Advisory Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in Saturday’s running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Pilgrim Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on the grass at Belmont Park.
Saturday’s $500,000 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park is an important prep race in advance of the Oct. 30 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. As a result, the Grade 1 race typically draws a quality field of promising 2-year-old fillies.
