Kowboy Karma joins growing field for Champagne Stakes

At least 10 horses are expected for Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes for 2-year-olds at Belmont Park.

The latest to join the fray is Kowboy Karma, runner-up in the Sapling Stakes, who worked five furlongs in 59 seconds Monday morning at Delaware Park. Trainer Larry Jones said he put a filly a few lengths in front of Kowboy Karma and the colt finished a little bit in front at the wire.

“I don’t know how I can get them to go much faster,” Jones said. “I worked some pretty good horses this morning, and he was the fastest one. As of right now, if he comes out of the stall okay, we’re coming.”

Kowboy Karma, a son of Kodiak Kowboy, won his first two starts at Delaware Park before finishing second to Bal Harbour in the Sapling. Jones, who is part-owner of Kowboy Karma, said his horse got bumped soundly going into the first turn of the Sapling and came out of the race sore as a result.

“He’s going really well,” Jones said. “Any issues we had, he’s over them, this work this morning showed that.”

Alex Cintron will ride Kowboy Karma in the Champagne.

Others expected to enter the Champagne are Aveenu Malcainu, Bahamian, Crea’s Bklyn Law, Enticed, Firenze Fire, Full of Run, Good Magic, Hazit, Honorable Treasure, and Stronger. Can’t Say No and Master Manipulator were possible.