Can Champagne d'Oro Go the Distance?

Joe Talamo finished fourth after setting the pace in his only ride on Champagne d’Oro. That was in the Grade II El Encino Stakes last Jan. 16. The 21-year-old rider, fresh from a strong second-place finish in the Del Mar jockey standings, is hoping for a better showing in Saturday’s Grade I Lady’s Secret Stakes on the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro.

“They told me to send and she got in a speed duel with Always a Princess (in the El Encino), but it looks like she can sit right off (the pace) in the Lady’s Secret, though Ask the Moon looks like a pretty nice mare,” Talamo said.

Talamo and his agent Scott McClellan had an exemplary Del Mar campaign, giving Joel Rosario a run for the money before finishing in the runner-up spot, 49-42.

“I was happy with Del Mar,” Talamo said. “That was the best meet we’ve had so far. It was real good. We had a lot of business there and we’re looking to continue at Santa Anita.”

The field for the Lady’s Secret: Blind Luck, Garrett Gomez, 124, 6-5; Champagne d’Oro, Joe Talamo, 119, 15-1; Ask the Moon, Martin Garcia, 124, 3-1; Love Theway Youare, Christian Santiago Reyes, 116, 20-1; Great Hot, Chantal Sutherland, 116, 12-1; Ultra Blend, David Flores, 124, 4-1; and Zazu, Joel Rosario, 118, 4-1.