Chancer McPatrick remains unbeaten with sharp win in Champagne

Oct 05, 2024 James Scully

Chancer McPatrick promises to bring a stout late kick to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) after closing last to first in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct, remaining unbeaten with a 2 3/4-length decision. Winner of the Sept. 2 Hopeful (G1) in his last outing, the two-year-old colt improved to 3-for-3 for owner Flanagan Racing, and Flavien Prat was up on the odds-on favorite for Chad Brown.

“He jumped well,” Prat said. “He jumped running and it felt like they just ran away from me, but I was outside and it was nice so I could take my time. Then I was trying to save a bit of ground, but it felt like nothing was developing inside and I felt like I was traveling well, so I made a move on the outside. He was traveling well without doing too much, and when I called on him turning for home, he responded positively.”

By first-crop sire McKinzie, Chancer McPatrick earned an expenses-paid berth to the Nov. 1 Juvenile at Del Mar as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, and the bay colt received 10 points for winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.

After rating last of nine through opening splits in :22.47 and :45.59, Chancer McPatrick launched a bold rally past rivals on the far turn, reaching second by the top of the stretch. He still had to reel in last-out debut maiden Tip Top Thomas, who tracked the second before taking over the lead on the far turn and entered the stretch on a clear lead.

Tip Top Thomas dug in determinedly when challenged, but Chancer McPatrick had all the momentum on the outside and powered clear late, completing the one-turn mile in 1:36.51.

'It was a real strong run (in the stretch),” Brown said. “The horse that finished second (Tip Top Thomas) — he was a smart winner at Saratoga and the figure came back really fast. I was in the race with a horse that ran third that I hold in high regard, so I knew he was real, that horse. Super race to set those fractions and still be there late in the race with this horse.”

Tip Top Thomas easily held second as the 3-1 second choice, nearly five lengths clear of Mo Plex in third. Smoken Wicked, Vekoma Rides, J J Zo Zo, Executive Order, Colonel Bob, and Lethal Speed completed the order of finish.

The Champagne awards points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale to the top five toward a berth in the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby next spring.

Bred in Kentucky by Rigney Racing, Chancer McPatrick was purchased for $725,000 as a two-year-old in training. He’s the first stakes winner from the Bernadini mare Bernadreamy, a daughter of the Grade 1-winning mare Dream Express.

Chancer McPatrick confirmed himself as a top contender for the Juvenile, and Brown is excited about the future.

'He runs his races like he's a year older than he is,” Brown said. “He runs like an experienced, fit three-year-old. He's got a long, strong run. He showed it in all three of his starts. The way he finished up and the way he relaxes, I don't see going two turns as a problem.”