Gulfport is seeking its first Class 1 win in Champagne

After achieving grade 1 in his previous start, Gulfport will look to secure his first win at the top level when he meets a projected five other juveniles in the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) at the Huge A meet on October 1 at Belmont.

The one-turn mile test attracted just six stallions, all hoping for their first graded stakes win on Saturday Aqueduct race track. The race is a Breeders' Cup Challenge event that awards a paid “Win and You're In” spot in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on November 4th Keeneland.

Sponsored by the partnership of Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm and Coolmore Stud, Gulfport has two consecutive runner-up finishes in graded stakes Saratoga Racetrack. The son of Uncle Mo finished second Strength in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) on September 5 after finishing 3 1/4 lengths behind Damon's Hill in the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) on August 13th.

Gulfport was coached by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen and won its first debut at in June Churchill Downs before overpowering five other juveniles there on July 4 to win the Bashford Manor Stakes by 12 1/4 lengths.

Gulfport proved it is ready for the challenges of racing as it made its fifth consecutive start on Saturday. Since the Hopeful, he has worked the Saratoga training track twice. Asmussen is aiming for his second Champagne victory in the last three years following his 2020 win Jackie's Warrior.

Saturday's race also attracted third-place finisher Hopeful in Rodeo Creek Racing Flaming sevens a son of a first father Good magic . The Hopeful was the second start for Blazing Sevens, who prevailed over six furlongs on his debut and recorded a 6 1/4-length victory at Saratoga on July 24.

Photo: Coglianese Photos

Blazing Sevens breaks off his first win at Saratoga Race Course

“The horse trained really well and you never know what to expect in these races at Saratoga, but he showed up and showed himself to be one of our best prospects,” trainer Chad Brown said of that first win. “He had a (sloppy) track in the Hopeful and it was challenging for him, but he tried and cantered well. I think as distances augment we will see the best of this horse.”

Brown, of course, conditioned Good Magic, who earned Champion Juvenile Male honors in 2017 and finished second to the eventual Triple Crown winner Justify in the 2018 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Brown said it was very special to send a colt from Good Magic.

NYRA advertising features the winner of the Hopeful, Strengthpoints to the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1), a 1 1/16-mile test Oct. 8 at Keeneland.

Mr. Amore Stable's Let's go to Florence He prevailed in Saturday's test after posting a 5 1/2 length score over other Recent York bred horses in the Entertaining Cide Stakes presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital at Spa on Aug. 26. Coach Mike Maker is registered Top recruit a son of Midshipman who scored a narrow victory in the Runhappy Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes on August 14th.

Rounding out the field are two runners who scored impressive debut victories in Saratoga Champions dream And Verify . The latter is a son of a first father Justify purchased by his Coolmore-affiliated owners for $775,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.