Two Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers are among the four graded stakes taking place on an action-packed Saturday card at Aqueduct.
Jockey Club Derby (G3): Race 5, 2:13 p.m. ET
Saratoga Derby (G1) 1-2-3 finishers Carson’s Run, Legend of Time, and Deterministic will get a rematch over 1 3/8 miles in the Jockey Club Derby, a turf test for three-year-olds with a $500,000 purse.
Carson’s Run followed up his Saratoga triumph with a runner-up finish in the $2,337,160 Nashville Derby (G3) at Kentucky Downs, while Deterministic shipped to Colonial Downs to take the Virginia Derby (G3). Christophe Clement trains both horses.
“I’m very happy with the two of them. They are both versatile,” Clement said. “Carson’s Run is training well. Last time he got beat, but he was a very good second.”
Desvio, winner of the Kent S. and third in the Virginia Derby, adds depth to Saturday’s field. So do last-out allowance winners Dashman and El Rezeen. Saranac (G3) runner-up Yo Daddy completes the lineup.
Belmont Turf Sprint (G3): Race 6, 2:45 p.m. ET
Axthelm, third against star sprinter Cogburn in the $1,797,200 Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7, seeks his first stakes win while facing easier competition in the six-furlong $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint.
There aren’t any runners as accomplished as Cogburn in Saturday’s field. That said, Troy (G3) runner-up Outlaw Kid, multiple stakes winner Determined Kingdom, Parx Dash hero Alogon, and two-time Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship S. winner Nothing Better are all talented turf sprinters with a chance to shine.
Mischievous Angel, Maya Prince, Senbei, and Son of a Birch complete the main body of the field, while Prince of Jericho is entered for the main track only.
Frizette (G1): Race 7, 3:17 p.m. ET
The one-mile $400,000 Frizette awards Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualification points and a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), prizes that 10 talented two-year-olds will line up to seek.
The filly to beat is Senza Parole, who smashed her debut sprinting six furlongs at Saratoga by 7 3/4 lengths over next-out winner Stunner. The daughter of Gun Runner earned a strong 98 Brisnet Speed rating and looks like a budding stakes star for four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.
“She was very impressive,” said Brown. “We were cautiously optimistic that she would put in a good performance first time out and run to her works, but you never know, especially at Saratoga.”
Adirondack (G3) winner The Queens M G, Sorority S. heroine Social Fortress, Astoria S. winner Whatintheliteral,and Pocahontas (G3) third-place finisher Icona Mama have all accomplished more than Senza Parole, but haven’t run as fast as the expected favorite on the Brisnet Speed rating scale.
Debut winners Another Cleeshay and Paradise City are stepping up in class and distance for the Frizette. The same goes for Snowyte and Scottish Lassie, second and third in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on Sept. 1 at Saratoga.
Pondering, seventh in the Spinaway (G1), rounds out the field.
Champagne (G1): Race 8, 3:49 p.m. ET
A pair of undefeated graded stakes winners will square off in the $500,000 Champagne, a one-mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) qualifier that also serves as a stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Chancer McPatrick brought his record to 2-for-2 with a stretch-running score in the Hopeful (G1). He’s the likely favorite in this field of 10 juveniles, though Sanford (G3) and Funny Cide S. hero Mo Plex shouldn’t be underestimated with his unblemished 3-for-3 tally.
Both colts are stretching out to a route distance for the first time, though Brown — the trainer of Chancer McPatrick — believes his runner can handle the challenge.
“He certainly gives us the feeling that he’s going to appreciate some more distance, and his pedigree would suggest it, too. He looks good and his final work was good. He’s been moved down to Belmont,” Brown said. “He’s ready to run.”
Dominant Smoke Glacken S. winner J J Zo Zo and Hopeful fourth-place finisher Smoken Wicked are other stakes-experienced runners among the entries.
The Champagne field is also stacked with promising debut winners. Tip Top Thomas, Uncaged, and Executive Order delivered sharp wins at Saratoga. Vekoma Rides was much the best in a recent sprint at Aqueduct, Lethal Speed launched a big rally to win his debut at Gulfstream Park, and Colonel Bob romped by 5 1/2 lengths at Parx Racing. All have upside and are eligible to factor in the Champagne.
