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

Curtain Call wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

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

Talkin edges out Stradale at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

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

Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

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

Aye Eye wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Cogianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

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

Just ASAP wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

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

It's Our Time wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

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

Stickupwithoutagun wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

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

Napolian Solo (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

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

Talkin edges out Stradale at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

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.