2025 Champagne Stakes at a Glance

September 30th, 2025 by Bob Ehalt

Champagne Stakes, Belmont at the Big A, It's Our Time, America's Best Racing, horse racing, ABR

The 2024 Champagne Stakes field races into the stretch with Chancer McPatrick rallying from last to first. The 2025 edition of the Champagne will be held Saturday at Aqueduct. (Coglianese Photos/Dom Napolitano)

New York’s top 2-year-olds will vie for the bubbly as a field of nine will square off in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. The one-mile Grade 1 stakes will award the winner an expenses-paid spot in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance through the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series, and it will also award 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points toward a start in the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve to the top five finishers.

Racetrack: Aqueduct Racetrack, New York

Date: Oct. 4

Purse: $500,00

Distance: One mile

Race: 7

Post Time: 3:20 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Chancer McPatrick (2024), Jack Christopher (2021), Jackie’s Warrior (2020), Tiz the Law (2019), Firenze Fire (2017), Practical Joke (2016), Shanghai Bobby (2012), Union Rags (2011), Uncle Mo (2010), War Pass (2007), Scat Daddy (2006), Birdstone (2003), Timber Country (1994), Dehere (1993), Sea Hero (1992), Fly So Free (1990), Easy Goer (1988), Forty Niner (1987), Devil’s Bag (1983), Spectacular Bid (1978), Alydar (1977), Seattle Slew (1976), Foolish Pleasure (1974), Riva Ridge (1971), Buckpasser (1965), Count Fleet (1942), Sarazen (1923), Grey Lag (1920), Colin (1907), and Ben Brush (1895).

First held: 1867

1. Curtain Call: Stepped into Grade 1 company last time and finished a distant third to Ted Noffey in the Spendthrift Hopeful Stakes. Has the pedigree to handle the distance and could be a factor here from the rail.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Mark Casse

2. Stradale: He’s a maiden after two starts but in a field in which eight of the nine entrants have started twice or less, that’s not a major problem. Finished second by a neck last time out to Talkin, who also is entered here, so he merits some attention.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

3. Universe: Was a decisive winner of his career debut at Saratoga Race Course, winning by 4 ½ lengths at seven furlongs. Should handle the distance but his speed figures are a cut below the top contenders.

JOCKEY: Chris Elliott; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

4. Aye Eye: Won his debut but then was fifth in the Hopeful. Will need a big dose of improvement to be a factor here.

JOCKEY: Samuel Marin; TRAINER: Joseph Orseno

5. Just Asap: Comes off a second by a neck in the mile Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park. But that was a two-turn, ungraded stakes and will face a much tougher challenge on the front end here.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Mark Casse

6. It’s Our Time: Exits one of the most dazzling debut wins ever at Saratoga. He didn’t just win, he demolished the opposition by 17 3/4 lengths in a blazing-fast time. Anything close to that effort should be enough to handle this field.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Thomas Amoss

7. Stickupwithoutagun: Beat fellow New York-breds in his second career start and first on dirt. Won going away at six furlongs but the final time was slow.

JOCKEY: Luis Rivera Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

8. Napoleon Solo: Perfect bet for “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” fans. Won his debut at Saratoga by 5 1/4 lengths in fast time. Looks like he can bring some action to the race.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Chad Summers

9. Talkin: Rallied nicely in the final furlong to edge Stradale in his career debut at seven furlongs. Based off his speed figure, he should be a major player.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Danny Gargan

THE PICK: It’s Our Time

LIVE LONGSHOT: Stradale

SUPERFECTA: 6-8-9-1