2026 Champagne Stakes at a Glance

September 29th, 2026 by Bob Ehalt

Champagne Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Kentucky Derby, Belmont Park, Johnny Hockey, Raku, Gaudreau, Club Reign, Russ Wilson, U. S. S. Valor, Earth Song, 2-year-old, juvenile, horse racing, ABR

Horses exit the gate at Belmont Park in the 2021 Champagne Stakes, won by #3 Jack Christopher. The Champagne returns to Belmont Park for the first time since 2021 on Saturday, Oct. 3. (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)

Like so many other New York stakes, the Champagne Stakes returns to a familiar locale Saturday when it will be contested at Belmont Park for the first time since 2022. The one-turn mile contest generally attracts the circuit’s top 2-year-olds and this year is no exception.

As an added double bonus, the Grade 1 stakes will award the winner a free spot in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA through the Breeders’ Cup’s “Win and You’re In” Challenge series. In addition it will also distribute 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points toward a start in the 2027 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve to the top five finishers.

Racetrack: Belmont Park, Elmont. N.Y.

Date: Oct. 3

Purse: $500,000

Distance: 1 mile

Race: 8

Post Time: 3:53 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Napoleon Solo (2025), Jack Christopher (2021), Jackie’s Warrior (2020), Tiz the Law (2019), 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), Never Bend (1962), Capot (1948), Count Fleet (1942), Bubbling Over (1925), Sarazen (1923), Grey Lag (1920), Cleopatra (1919), Colin (1907), Plaudit (1897), Ben Brush (1895)

First held: 1867

1. Johnny Hockey: Was no better than third in four New York starts. Then nabbed his first win at Monmouth Park. Comes off a dull try in a turf stakes. Can’t see him putting the puck in the net here.

JOCKEY: Katie Davis; TRAINER: Antonio Arriaga

2. Raku: Earned a shot in this race with a solid second in the one-mile Sapling Stakes at Monmouth. That race was contested at two turns as opposed to the one-turn mile he’ll run Saturday. Was an easy winner of his debut at Monmouth, but will need to take a big step forward in speed figures to be a main factor here.

JOCKEY: Paco Lopez; TRAINER: Kelly Breen

3. Gaudreau: Lived up to expectations when he scored as the favorite in his Aug. 8 debut at Saratoga. That race turned out to be loaded with highly-rated Coach Pope and U. S. S. Valor second and third, respectively. Workouts have kept him sharp and he will be a major force here. Trainer Chad Brown already owns five Champagne wins.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown

4. Club Reign: Owned by a group that includes Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara, he has the most charisma attached to him. Was a decisive winner of his debut at Saratoga but the speed figure came back slow. He has speed and should like the added distance.

JOCKEY: Edgard Zayas; TRAINER: Whit Beckman

5. U. S. S. Valor: Finished third, a little less than a length behind Gaudreau, then came back with a monstrous 13 ¼-length maiden win at the Spa. Can avenge his loss if he duplicates that effort, but he could also regress slightly after such a huge performance. Should be a lively rematch.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Shug McGaughey

6. Earth Song: Romped by 11 ¼ lengths in his debut at Monmouth, but the speed figure was bland. He’s also entered in Saturday’s Rocky Run Stakes at Delaware Park.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Jorge Delgado

THE PICK: Gaudreau

LIVE LONGSHOT: Club Reign

SUPERFECTA: 3-5-4-2