U.S. Valor Wins Champagne, Earns BC Juvenile Berth

Manny Franco said U.S.S. Valor just exploded after waiting behind horses to win the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes by 6 1/2 lengths on Oct. 3, 2026 at Belmont Park. The Shug McGaughey trainee covered the one-turn mile in 1:34.84, paid $2.74 as favorite, and beat Gaudreau and Club Reign after a slow break, a far-turn bump with Earth Song, and a clear stretch run. The win brought $275,000, a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Oct. 30, and 10 Kentucky Derby points. It was McGaughey's fourth Champagne, first since 1989. McGaughey said Franco got the horse where he wanted him, that an education from his first race helped, and that Valor has been more forward than Honor Code or Code of Honor; he called Franco an outstanding rider. Irwin said Team Valor had never really won a top 2-year-old race like this and cast doubt on the Juvenile. Contested: none found on the result; NYRA had Valor at 1-4 and DRF at 1-5. Whether he runs Oct. 30 remains unresolved, with McGaughey leaving the decision to Irwin.