HorseCenter: Champagne, Breeders' Futurity top picks

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman take their first look at future stars of racing. Whether it be for next month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile or next year's Kentucky Derby, there are many top prospects running this weekend in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct and the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland.

The Champagne, which is part of the Belmont at the Big A meeting, drew a field of 10 juvenile males who will race the one-turn mile distance. There is a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile for the winner and 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points available. Top trainers Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown each have won the Champagne four times with horses that became successful stallions. Pletcher has a pair of recent maiden winners in Tip Top Thomas and Uncaged, and Brown sends out the morning-line favorite Chancer McPatrick.

The Breeders’ Futurity drew a field of 11 and also offers incentives for the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Derby. Most of these 2-year-olds will try to race two turns for the first-time. East Avenue, named for the street that leads to the entrance of Saratoga Race Course, and Ferocious are the expected favorites.

Enjoy the 2-year-old racing this weekend and, as always, thanks for watching the show.