Shanghai Bobby brought his undefeated record to a perfect 4-for-4 when he romped to an easy win in the $400,000 Champagne Stakes (gr. I) this afternoon at Belmont Park, stamping himself as one of the favorites for the prestigious Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) in the process.
With Rosie Napravnik aboard, Shanghai Bobby broke alertly before settling back into the second position as California shipper Goldencents led the way through slow fractions of :23.55 and :47.45 seconds. Archwarrior and Fortify were racing in mid-pack, about two lengths from the front, while Chief Havoc and Micromanage trailed.
As the field made their way around the turn, Shanghai Bobby moved to challenge Goldencents for the lead and gained it just prior to the quarter pole, which he reached in 1:11.21 seconds. From there, the race was over, and Shanghai Bobby coasted home an easy winner by five lengths in the sharp time of 1:35.55 for one mile.
Goldencents held well to finish second, a length clear of Fortify, Archwarrior, Micromanage, and Chief Havoc completed the order of finish.
The winner, a son of Harlan's Holiday out of the Orientate mare Steelin', is trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Starlight Racing. Prior to the Champagne, he had won the prestigious Hopeful Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga and the Track Barron Stakes at Belmont Park, which makes him the clear-cut leading two-year-old colt in the country. A victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita in November would guarantee him the Eclipse award for his division.
-Keelerman
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