First Look: Champagne leads 13 Breeders' Cup qualifiers

Nine Grade 1 races this week means your plans just got a lot more complicated. From Belmont at Aqueduct to Keeneland to Santa Anita, premier racing dominates the calendar with championship-caliber fields from coast to coast.

The Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont at Aqueduct anchors Saturday's action in New York, where It's Our Time looks to follow his dominant maiden romp with another eye-popping performance. His main competition comes from Curtain Call, who showed promise in the Hopeful (G1).

Add 13 Breeders' Cup win-and-in qualifiers to the mix, and this week becomes a direct path to Del Mar for the winners. Quality fields from Keeneland to Santa Anita complete racing's busiest week before the Breeders’ Cup.

Thursday

Matron (G3), Belmont at Aqueduct, 6 furlongs, turf, fillies, 2-year-olds

Just Philtored is perfect through three career starts, capturing each outing with increasing confidence. Her most recent triumph was a stakes victory at Colonial on Aug. 23. The Great Notion filly showcased closing ability in her debut before developing more aggressive tactics in subsequent efforts.

Friday

Pilgrim (G2), Belmont at Aqueduct, 1 1/16 miles, turf, 2-year-olds

Capital Partner seeks redemption after a third-place effort in the With Anticipation (G3) at Saratoga on Aug. 28, where the Kingman colt weakened late. The Chad Brown runner had captured his debut impressively in a Saratoga maiden special weight when he rallied from fifth to secure a narrow decision.

Futurity (G3), Belmont at Aqueduct, 6 furlongs, turf, 2-year-olds

Longshoreman showed promise in his debut at Keeneland, coming up just short at five furlongs on turf. The Wesley Ward trainee followed with a decisive victory at Churchill Downs. His most recent effort saw him finish fifth in Kentucky Downs' Juvenile Sprint, unable to sustain his early speed. The return to six furlongs could benefit this son of Twirling Candy.

Alcibiades (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles, fillies, 2-year-olds

Tommy Jo demonstrated elite talent when taking the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 30, defeating Percy's Bar by 6 1/2 lengths. The 2-year-old filly had broken her maiden impressively at the same track on July 26, drawing off by 3 3/4 lengths. Trained by Todd Pletcher for Spendthrift Farm, Tommy Jo has earned $220,000 from two starts with both efforts showing her natural ability and tactical speed that suggests she belongs among the top juvenile fillies.

Jessamine (G2), Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles, turf, fillies, 2-year-olds

Time to Dream has proved her class with consecutive victories at Saratoga, first breaking her maiden by 2 1/4 lengths in July before capturing the P.G. Johnson by five in August. The Todd Pletcher-trained filly showed impressive acceleration in both wins, rallying from mid-pack positions to prevail.

Phoenix (G2), Keeneland, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

World Record narrowly missed in the Aristides (G3) at Churchill Downs in May, finishing second behind Durante in the six-furlong sprint. The Rodolphe Brisset runner followed up with a third in the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar in July. These back-to-back graded-stakes placings has him knocking on the door of a breakthrough stakes victory.

Saturday

Champagne (G1), Belmont at Aqueduct, 1 mile, 2-year-olds

It's Our Time makes his second career start after a dominant debut performance at Saratoga, where he demolished a maiden field by 17 3/4 lengths. He earned an impressive 94 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form that towers over this field. Curtain Call returns to stakes company after his third-place finish in the Hopeful at Saratoga, where he made a strong move but couldn't match the top two finishers after breaking his maiden in his second start for Mark Casse.

Frizette (G1), Belmont at Aqueduct, 1 mile, fillies, 2-year-olds

Chopsticks has won both of her starts. The daughter of Essential Quality took home her Churchill Downs debut by three lengths against maidens, displaying strong closing ability from the back of the pack. She followed with a more tactical victory in Ellis Park's Debutante, stalking the pace before wearing down rivals in the stretch for a one-length score. 

Miss Grillo (G2), Belmont at Aqueduct, 1 1/16 miles, turf, fillies, 2-year-olds

Deep Learning merits serious consideration after graduating in her debut at Saratoga, capturing a maiden special weight by three lengths. The Chad Brown-trained filly by Cairo Prince then stepped up to graded company in the Natalma (G1) at Woodbine, where she encountered traffic trouble but managed to finish a respectable fifth.

Jockey Club Derby (G3), Belmont at Aqueduct, 1 3/8 miles, turf, 3-year-olds

Hill Road comes in with consecutive third-place finishes in his last two starts. The Quality Road colt ran in the Nashville Derby (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 30, finishing three lengths behind the winner after tracking the pace throughout. Previously, he completed the trifecta in Saratoga's Jim Dandy (G2) on July 26, though beaten by 10 lengths in that test.

Turf Mile (G1), Keeneland, 1 mile, turf, 3-year-olds and up

Brilliant Berti captured the Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill Downs with a commanding performance, tracking in fourth early before making his move to win by a length. The 4-year-old demonstrated tactical versatility by positioning himself perfectly behind the pace before unleashing a strong finishing kick in the upper stretch. His most recent outing in the Mint Millions (G3) at Kentucky Downs resulted in a fourth-place finish, where he gained ground to complete the superfecta behind Epic Ride.

First Lady (G1), Keeneland, 1 mile, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Dynamic Pricing enters with solid credentials from her recent performances. The daughter of Night of Thunder took home a stakes victory at Saratoga in August. Her consistent performances in graded company include multiple placings in New York and Kentucky. The 4-year-old has demonstrated versatility across different track conditions throughout her impressive campaign.

Breeders' Futurity (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-olds

Ted Noffey claimed the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga on Sept. 1, winning by 8 1/2 lengths. The victory marked his second consecutive win at the Spa, having broken his maiden there on Aug. 2 when he rallied from fourth to score by 1 1/2 lengths.

Woodford (G2), Keeneland, 5 1/2 furlongs, turf, 3-year-olds and up

Governor Sam came home first in the Quick Call (G3) at Saratoga in July, demonstrating his ability to handle graded-stakes company. The 3-year-old colt was runner-up in the Mahony (G3) at the Spa last month and third last out in the Franklin-Simpson (G1) on the turf at Kentucky Downs.

Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), Keeneland, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Vodka With a Twist sports solid form through her last three starts. She finished second in the Charles Town Oaks (G2), losing by two lengths after pressing the early pace. Before a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Pea Patch at Ellis Park, she ran second in the Leslie's Lady at Churchill Downs, beaten by 1 1/4 lengths.

American Pharoah (G1), Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-olds

Desert Gate showcases impressive progression, taking the Best Pal (G3) by eight lengths before running a second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), beaten by a length. The Bob Baffert-trained colt debuted with a convincing maiden victory at Santa Anita in June.

Oak Leaf (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles, fillies, 2-year-olds

Explora, one of a pair in the field for trainer Bob Baffert, most recently finished second behind stablemate Bottle of Rouge in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) on Sept. 6. Bettors fancied her on the strength of her debut win Aug. 17 at Del Mar, where she led at every call and drew off to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Explora will square off once again versus La Wally and Himika, the third- and fourth-place finishers from the Del Mar Debutante.

Rodeo Drive (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/4 miles, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Hang the Moon goes for a repeat after posting an upset score in this race last year. However, she has been off the board in four starts since, most recently when fifth in the John C. Mabee (G2) at Del Mar on Sept. 6. Her top foes include Flower Bowl (G2) runner-up Amber Cascade, John C. Mabee third-place finisher Mission of Joy and last-out CTT and TOC Stakes winner Alpha Bella.

Chillingworth (G3), Santa Anita, 6 1/2 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Silent Law seeks redemption after a disappointing eighth-place finish in the San Clemente Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. The 3-year-old filly previously showed stakes-level form with a runner-up in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2). Her tactical speed she possesses positions her well for a return to the dirt, where she has dominated throughout her career. Her foes include Tamara, a Grade 1-winning daughter of hall of fame inductee Beholder, who is entered to make her first start since November of 2024.

Canadian International (G1), Woodbine, 1 1/2 miles, turf, 3-year-olds and up

My Boy Prince targets another graded-stakes prize after a game runner-up effort in the Woodbine Mile (G1) on Sept. 13. The Gary Barber colorbearer finished second to Notable Speech in that test, which was his third placing in five starts this season.

Nearctic (G2), Woodbine, 6 furlongs, turf, 3-year-olds and up

Bring Theband Home strikes as one of the headliners after back-to-back stakes victories at Saratoga. The Mark Casse gelding claimed the Troy (G2) on Aug. 3. That triumph followed his dominant Harvey Pack performance on July 4, where he controlled and drew off by 4 1/4 lengths. The 5-year-old gelding has found his best form on the turf, displaying tactical speed and a strong finishing kick that makes him formidable in this spot.

Dance Smartly (G2), Woodbine, 1 1/16 miles, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Hurricane Clair arrives after a second-place finish in the Ontario Matron (G3) on Sept. 13, where she lost to Caitlinhergrtness after setting a strong pace. The 4-year-old daughter of Silent Name previously dominated her competition with an 8 3/4-length victory at Woodbine on July 13.

Sunday

Waya (G3), Belmont at Aqueduct, 1 3/8 miles, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Excellent Truth returns to action after her close victory in the Diana (G1) at Saratoga in July, where she rallied to prevail in a thrilling finish. The daughter of Cotai Glory has shown consistent form throughout 2025, finishing second in both the Just a Game (G1) and Jenny Wiley (G1). Her international campaign in France during 2024 included a gutsy win in the Prix de la Calonne.

Spinster (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Thorpedo Anna took her last two starts in impressive fashion. The 4-year-old filly secured a nose victory in Saratoga's Personal Ensign (G1) on Aug. 23. Before that, she controlled the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs in June, winning by three lengths. Her consistency shows in four wins from five starts this season, including three graded-stakes victories, despite a disappointing seventh in the La Troienne (G1) in May.

Bourbon (G2), Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles, turf, 2-year-olds

Final Score has demonstrated remarkable progression through three career starts, evolving from a promising second-place debut to claiming Grade 3 honors. The son of Not This Time showed resilience when dropping back early before rallying for second in his July 13 debut at Saratoga. He then dominated wire-to-wire in an Aug. 10 maiden victory. Most recently, Final Score controlled the pace throughout the With Anticipation Stakes (G3), drawing off to score by 4 1/2 lengths on Aug. 28.

Zuma Beach (G3), Santa Anita, 1 mile, turf, 2-year-olds

Hey Nay Nay enters off a dominant performance in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G1), where he drew off to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The colt previously took the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth by seven and broke his maiden at Santa Anita in his debut.

Surfer Girl (G3), Santa Anita, 1 mile, turf, fillies, 2-year-olds

Soaring Angel secured her maiden at Del Mar against nine rivals on July 26. The Tim Yakteen-trained filly then stepped up in class for the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), where she stalked early but flattened late to come home sixth behind Dreaming of Alys on Sept. 6.