Champagne

Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne S. (G1) features arguably the two best juveniles in the United
States in FIRST SAMURAI (Giant’s Causeway) and HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy). The
former upset a heavily favored (3-5) Henny Hughes in the Hopeful S. (G1), and
the
roles will be reversed this time with First Samurai the probable odds-on
favorite. We’ll take the value.

Henny Hughes won his career bow by six lengths and commanded a reported $4.3
million sales price following a 15-length tally in the Tremont S. in his second
start. The prolific juvenile proceeded to capture the Saratoga Special S. (G2)
by 3 3/4 lengths and many felt he was unbeatable entering the Hopeful. Henny
Hughes was in position to challenge leaving the far turn that afternoon, but he
lacked the necessary finishing kick and was beaten by 4 1/4 lengths in second.
He’s trained sensationally since then for Patrick Biancone, recording four
straight bullets, and is a huge threat to bounce back. The chestnut earned BRIS
Speed ratings of 103 and 101 prior to his last start, and the one-mile distance
at Belmont Park should be right up his alley. Look for jockey Gary Stevens to
get the jump on his main rival as Henny Hughes attempts to hold First Samurai at
bay for the slight upset.

First Samurai is also training well in the mornings for Frank Brothers and
has been a monster in the afternoons, winning all three of his career starts by comfortable
margins. He notched a 108 Speed rating two starts back and owns plenty of
natural speed, but his connections probably want to see him rate a little bit
more in the early going as he prepares for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Jerry Bailey should be able to establish clear sailing from post 7, and First
Samurai could prove impossible to deny once again.

TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano) rolled to a 19 1/2-length maiden score at
Thistledown before being sold and transferred to Bob Baffert. The gray Ohio-bred
turned in a nice effort last time finishing third in the Hopeful and will likely
show speed under Javier Castellano. He’s eligible to hold on for another top-three placing.

SUPERFLY (Fusaichi Pegasus) broke his maiden in the one-mile Whirling Ash S.
at Delaware Park last out after finishing second and third in a pair of maiden
special weight events at Saratoga for conditioner Nick Zito. The dark bay colt
is quick and owns plenty of room for improvement, but we’ll look for more down
the road from the promising youngster.

DEPUTY GLITTER (Deputy Commander) exits a 13 3/4-length debut win at
Saratoga, but he beat maiden claimers and may need a race against winners. GREATER FOOL (Exploit) earned a decent 92
Speed rating for a 7 3/4-length maiden win in his career bow at Belmont and
faces a steep class hike in his second start. We liked his turn of foot, but he could have trouble making an impact from off the pace here.

KID LEMONADE (Lemon Drop Kid) and MENACING (Lemon Drop Kid) are cross-entered
to the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and one will start in each race for trainer Tim
Ritchey. The former owns stakes experience, finishing second in the Whirling Ash
last time, and is preferred by us over his stablemate. Kid Lemonade owns
potential for the bottom of the exotics. Menacing showed a nice turn of foot
winning his career debut by 5 1/4 lengths, but the one-mile event came off the
turf and he didn’t beat much in that spot. We’ll just watch to see how he fares
in this spot.