Servis, Guillot each take two shots at Champagne

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainers Jason Servis and Eric Guillot each entered two horses in a field of 12 for Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne that lacks a clear favorite. Servis entered Firenze Fire and Full of Run, while Guillot entered Stronger and the maiden Master Manipulator.

Firenze Fire is the lone graded stakes winner in the field, having won the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga on July 22. Firenze Fire then finished fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful. Servis said that the week before the Hopeful Firenze Fire was coughing, and in the race he didn’t change leads, yet he was beaten only 4 1/4 lengths.

“He didn’t run his race in the Hopeful, never changed leads, never picked up the bit,” Servis said.

Servis said Firenze Fire has trained better since that race.

Full of Run, a son of Power Broker, won his 5 1/2-furlong debut at Monmouth on Aug. 26 by 3 1/4 lengths. He drew post 10, while Firenze Fire drew post 12.

From south Florida, Guillot shipped in Stronger, a maiden winner, and Master Manipulator, a troubled second in a maiden race at Gulfstream. Guillot had the option of running Master Manipulator in a maiden race Saturday.

“There’ll be a gazillion maiden races,” Guillot said. “There’s only one Champagne.”

Stronger drew post 3, and Master Manipulator drew post 5.

The remainder of the field is Aveenu Malcainu, Bahamian, Blame It On Honey, Enticed, Good Magic, Hazit, Honorable Treasure, and Kowboy Karma.