2016 Champagne Stakes Preview, Entries & Odds

OffTrackBetting.com - The G1 Champagne Stakes will be run Saturday, October 8 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Some of the best two year olds around will take to Belmont Park's dirt track and race one mile for the winner's share of the $500,000 purse.

A quality group of six juveniles will line up in the Champagne Stakes - race 8 on Belmont Park's packed Saturday schedule. Post time is 4:13 PM. Let's take a look into the past performances of all six entries for this G1 stakes - a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

2016 Champagne Stakes Race Preview at Belmont Park

Syndergaard 9-5 - Todd Pletcher trained colt has won both of his career starts thus far - a nice maiden score at first asking at Saratoga August 8 was followed by a good 10 1/4 length win in his stakes debut - the 6 1/2 furlong minor Funny Cide Stakes on that track August 26 - a race that produced a field-best 90 Beyer Speed Figure. Syndergaard hasn't been touched so far and looks like a threat ahead of his graded stakes debut. John Velazquez has been tabbed to ride the morning line favorite from post 3.

Favorable Outcome 2-1 - will race for the second time for trainer Chad Brown having posted a nice six length win in his only career start - a six furlong race at Saratoga August 20. He tries to make it two-for-two Saturday when he leaves from post 5 with Javier Castellano in the saddle of the second betting choice.

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Practical Joke 4-1 - Chad Brown trained colt has two career starts and two good wins - by five lengths as favorite in a six furlong maiden race at Saratoga August 6 and the G1 Hopeful Stakes by a game neck last time out on that track September 5. He has been very good so far and looks to make it three straight to start his career - from the rail with Joel Rosario aboard the morning line third choice.

Big Gray Rocket 6-1 - has a win and a second place finish in two career starts for trainer Bob Baffert. He makes his stakes debut Saturday off a maiden score by an impressive 6 3/4 lengths at Del Mar September 5 after a second on that track in his debut August 13. Big Gray Rocket looks ready for his step up in competition and will depart from the outside gate 6 with Mike Smith guiding him.

Lookin At Blessing 12-1 - Nick Zito trained colt has a win and a third place finish in three career starts. He makes his stakes debut Saturday off a maiden score - on this track September 11 after a third and a seventh in MSW races at Saratoga this past summer. Lookin At Blessing has improved every time out and hopes to do so again from gate 4. Irad Ortiz rides.

Thirst for Victory 15-1 - intriguing Todd Pletcher trained colt will saddle up for just the second time in his career having posted a nice win in his only action so far - by three lengths at Saratoga August 13. He was impressive in his first start and hopes to be so again in his step up in competition from gate 2.

2016 Champagne Stakes Entries & Odds

Race 8 on Belmont Park's Saturday card with a Post Time of 4:13 PM.