Munnings Colt Best of Strong Bunch in Champagne

[Wandering Eyes]

'TDN Rising Star' JACK CHRISTOPHER (c, 2, Munnings–Rushin No Blushin, by Half Ours) proved best of a flashy bunch Saturday while seeing out the mile trip in Belmont's GI Champagne S., a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Favored at 8-5 off an 8 3/4-length drubbing at Saratoga Aug. 28 that earned him a 92 Beyer Speed Figure and prompted Coolmore and Peter Brant to buy in, the blaze-faced chestnut was away alertly but allowed to settle by Jose Ortiz, ultimately working himself into second behind GI Hopeful S. winner Gunite (Gun Runner). He wrestled the lead away from the pacesetter approaching the stretch, opened up at the quarter pole while in hand and was in a race of his own from there. Maiden Commandperformance (Union Rags) closed well to cut the winner's margin of victory to some 2 1/2 lengths, with that one's GSW stablemate Wit (Practical Joke) checking in a non-threatening third. Jack Christopher stopped the clock in 1:37 1/5. Sales history: $145,000 RNA ylg FTKSEL '20; $135,000 ylg '20 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0.
O-Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud & Peter M. Brant. B-Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate (Ky). T-Chad C. Brown.

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