Kentucky-bred U. S. S. Valor uncorked a powerful stretch run to win the $500,000 Champagne S. (G1) in eye-catching fashion at Belmont Park.
Heavily favored off a 13 ¼-length maiden victory at Saratoga, U. S. S. Valor broke a step slowly in the Champagne. He quickly recovered to race 1 1/4 lengths behind the leaders, Gaudreau, Johnny Hockey and Club Reign. The tightly packed field traveled in two tandems of three through an opening quarter-mile 23.19 seconds and a half in 46.08 over the fast dirt.
The Team Valor Kentucky homebred continued to wait behind horses on the far turn through three quarters in 1:10.18. U.S.S. Valor was then angled outside by jockey Manny Franco. He lengthened stride nearing the eighth pole en route to a 6 ½-length triumph.
“The way he did it, being behind horses; he was on the bridle, but the right way,” said Franco. “We were bunched up. As soon as he got to the half a mile, I had a chance to drop my hands, and he stayed there for me. When I called him again, he just took off again. He just exploded. He has a lot of talent.”
With the Champagne victory, U. S. S. Valor earned $275,000, a free entry into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as part of the “Win and You’re In” program, and 10 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings. Kentucky Derby points were awarded on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers.
U.S.S. Valor Gives McGaughey a Fourth Champagne
It was the fourth Champagne triumph for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, who previously won the race with Polish Navy [1986], Easy Goer [1988], and Adjudicating [1989].
“Manny is a great rider, and [in the Champagne] he got him where he wanted him to be – got in a little trouble at the head of the stretch, but he was able to [overcome] that,” said McGaughey. “I think when they get an education like he got in his first race; it helps down the line. The second race was perfect, but Manny and I talked in the paddock and I [thought] for him to learn and to be a good horse, he’s going to need a target, and he got one today.”
McGaughey said he and Team Valor president Barry Irwin will see how U. S. S. Valor exits the Champagne before they decide the colt’s next start.
Irwin said U. S. S. Valor’s Champagne victory ranks highly among the accomplishments of Team Valor colorbearers.
“We have never really won a top 2-year-old race like this,” said Irwin. “I mean we won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, we won the Spinaway, I’ve won a couple of good ones in Europe, but this is the best, for me. I’ve never had a horse anywhere near this quality before, and I’ve had some good horses. He is just beyond words. I can’t believe I bred him. I can’t believe I own him.”