Silver Wagon likely for Champagne

Silver Wagon, the upset winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, worked four furlongs at Calder on Monday, after which trainer Ralph Ziadie said it was "95 percent certain" that Silver Wagon will make his next start in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont Park on Oct. 4.

Silver Wagon, working for the first time since the Aug. 30 Hopeful, was clocked in 48.38 seconds by Daily Racing Form, then galloped out five-eighths in 1:01.74 over a fast track.

Ziadie said he had gotten confirmation from jockey Jerry Bailey's agent, Ron Anderson, that Bailey will ride Silver Wagon in the Champagne. Silver Wagon is owned by Mahmoud Fustok's Buckram Oak Farm.

Ziadie all but ruled out the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita for Silver Wagon no matter the outcome of the Champagne.

"I believe the tracks in California do not suit my horse because they are too speed-biased," he said.