BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Since impressively breaking her maiden by six-and-a-half lengths on the Keeneland turf in April, Florida-bred More Champagne has endured two difficult trips against stakes company, one overseas. The bay daughter of leading freshman sire Golden Pal hopes for better racing luck Saturday when she faces seven other 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on Belmont Park’s inner turf in the $200,000 Matron (Grade 3).
A victory outside Florida at this level would also provide breeders Helen and Joseph Barbazon of Morriston, Florida a $5,000 Export Incentive paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Trained by Thomas Morley for StarLadies Racing, West Paces Racing, Titletown Racing Stables and U Racing Stables, More Champagne won on debut in a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland on April 24 then was shipped to England for the Group 2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot on June 17. She was in touch with the leaders through the first three furlongs of the Queen Mary, run at five furlongs on the straight turf, but was jostled by rivals two furlongs out and dropped back to finish 19th in the field of 27.
She returned stateside for the $200,000 Bolton Landing (Listed) at Saratoga Race Course on August 26, but after hitting the side of the gate at the start, she was off slow and finished fifth, five lengths behind winner Go for Launch in fifth.
Out of the winning Wildcat Heir mare Wildcat Gaze, More Champagne has earned $45,836 in her three starts. She was a $100,000 selection by StarLadies Racing and U Racing Stable earlier this year at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale where she was consigned by Serio Centeno’s Blue River Bloodstock based in Morriston.
Edgard Zayas takes over the riding assignment on More Champagne from John Velazquez and they have post two in the Matron. More Champagne is 10-1 in the program.
Trainer Miguel Clement enters Brickyard Belle off a four-and-a-half-length tally in a maiden special weight for fillies going five-and-a-half furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on August 27.
The was the lone race for the dark bay or brown daughter of Yaupon, who was a $600,000 purchase by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management at this year’s OBS Spring Sale where she was consigned by Julie Davies. Brickyard Belle currently races for Brickyard Belle Racing, Beggs and Flowers and Briles Family Stable.
An earner of $63,250, Brickyard Belle is the 2-1 morning line favorite and will start from the rail post with Manny Franco up.
Other fillies entered with their riders are Harper’s Corner with Paco Lopez taking the assignment, Jose Lezcano will pilot Almighty One, Medinah has Dylan Davis named in the program, Side Quest will have Ricardo Santana Jr. in the saddle, Royal Companion has Kendrick Carmouche as a teammate and Flavien Prat will take the reins on Yolo Train.
