Study Guide: 2025 Champagne Stakes

Sep 30, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

It's Our Time breaking his maiden by 17 3/4 lengths at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Nine possible 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders will square off in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct.

Held at a distance of one mile (longer than many of the entrants have attempted thus far), the Champagne is an important early stop on the 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Champagne has produced 23 Kentucky Derby winners since 1892, most recently Super Saver (2010).

Let’s meet the 2025 Champagne field:

Curtain Call

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Nancy Stone
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $104,500

Sire: Tiz the Law
Dam: Deep Trouble
Color: Dark bay/brown

Runaway Saratoga maiden winner Curtain Call exits a respectable third-place finish in the Hopeful (G1). With a pair of 90+ Brisnet Speed ratings to his credit, Curtain Call is fast enough to challenge for another top-three finish in the Champagne.

Stradale

Start(s): 2
Wins: 0
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Kaleem Shah
Breeder: Richard Bremer and Cheryl Sprick
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Manny Franco

Top Speed Rating: (92) when finishing second in a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $32,000

Sire: Yaupon
Dam: Twitterpated
Color: Bay

Stradale might be 0-for-2, but he was beaten only a neck when second to Talkin in a Saratoga maiden special weight, earning a respectable 92 Brisnet Speed rating. Any improvement while stretching out over one mile could earn this speedy colt qualification points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Universe

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Four G Racing, Gregg Day, and Steven Crain
Breeder: Becky Pietras
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Christopher Elliott

Top Speed Rating: (83) when winning a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $55,000

Sire: Global Campaign
Dam: Equalityforall
Color: Bay

Universe was much the best in his debut at Saratoga, overcoming a subpar start to dominate by 4 1/2 lengths. Debut winners trained by Kenny McPeek often develop into high-quality racehorses, so Universe has the potential to improve upon his career-opening 83 Brisnet Speed rating.

Aye Eye

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Robert Cotran
Breeder: Betz Thoroughbreds/DJStables/Graves/Gainesway/Lamantia/Ramsby
Trainer: Joseph Orseno
Jockey: Samuel Marin

Top Speed Rating: (84) when finishing fifth in the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $56,000

Sire: Essential Quality
Dam: Divine Queen
Color: Gray/roan

Aye Eye launched a big late rally to win his debut at Saratoga, but after finishing a distant fifth in the Hopeful, he’ll need improvement to turn the tables on Curtain Call.

Just Asap

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Ironhorse Racing Stable
Breeder: George Krikorian
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing second in the Sapling S. at Monmouth Park.
Total Earnings: $46,538

Sire: Maxfield
Dam: Movie Moment
Color: Bay

Just Asap has already competed over one mile, finishing second by a neck in the Sapling S. at Monmouth Park. That effort earned a 90 Brisnet Speed rating, suggesting Just Asap is fast enough to challenge for Kentucky Derby qualification points.

It’s Our Time

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Double Down Horse Racing
Breeder: South Gate Farm
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (100) when winning a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $55,000

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Shea D Summer
Color: Dark bay/brown

It’s Our Time was spectacular when debuting in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga, winning easily by 17 3/4 lengths. The 100 Brisnet Speed rating he received is clearly the highest number belonging to any horse in the Champagne field, so It’s Our Time is hands-down the horse to beat.

It's Our Time puts on a stellar performance on debut in R7 at Saratoga! 🤩🌟@tomamossracing trains and @luissaezpty was aboard.

A nice 5/1 top pick winner for @atthetrack7, too! 💰 pic.twitter.com/hJHzmfFfQX

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 16, 2025

Stickupwithoutagun

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, and Nehoc Stables
Breeder: Sequel Thoroughbreds and Lakland Farm
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Luis Rivera Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (79) when winning a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $50,400

Sire: McKinzie
Dam: Gun Club
Color: Bay

Stickupwithoutagun comfortably won a maiden special weight for horses bred in New York, triumphing by 2 1/4 lengths. However, the 79 Brisnet Speed rating he received looks a bit light against the Champagne field.

Napoleon Solo

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Gold Square
Breeder: John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $44,000

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Atomic Blonde
Color: Gray/roan

Napoleon Solo has only run once, and it was a good run. He trounced a six-furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga by 5 1/4 lengths, earning a flashy 94 Brisnet Speed rating. Fast workouts since then suggest Napoleon Solo is one of the main threats to It’s Our Time.

Talkin

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, and R. A. Hill Stable
Breeder: Fifth Avenue Bloodstock
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Top Speed Rating: (92) when winning a Saratoga maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $55,000

Sire: Good Magic
Dam: Rote
Color: Bay

Talkin produced a determined homestretch rally to defeat Stradale in a seven-furlong maiden special weight, earning a 92 Brisnet Speed rating. As a son of 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic (the sire of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage), Talkin has the pedigree to shine while stretching out over one mile. A top-three finish in the Champagne may be within reach.