Syndergaard makes pitch for Breeders' Cup in Champagne Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – New York Mets fans may be mourning the elimination of their team from the baseball playoffs. Perhaps they can find solace in rooting for a horse named after their ace starter, who pitched seven strong innings in Wednesday’s wild-card loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Syndergaard, named for Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, will try to punch his ticket to Thoroughbred racing’s version of the fall classic – the Breeders’ Cup – when he faces open company for the first time in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park.

The Champagne is a Win and You’re In race for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

In a 19-day span at Saratoga, Syndergaard defeated New York-breds in a maiden race and won the Funny Cide Stakes by 10 1/4 lengths over the highly regarded Bobby On Fleek.

“His two races in Saratoga were very impressive, and he’s trained impressively since then,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, a six-time winner of the Champagne. “Looking forward to see how he handles the step up in class and stretch-out in distance.”

Pletcher also runs Thirst for Victory, a late entry to the field after a two-turn allowance race at Delaware Park didn’t fill.

Pletcher’s two will take on trainer Chad Brown’s pair of Practical Joke, the Grade 1 Hopeful winner, and Favorable Outcome, a sharp six-length debut winner at Saratoga on Aug. 20.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who won the 2001 Champagne with Officer, has shipped Big Gray Rocket across the country off a maiden win at Del Mar. Nick Zito, a five-time Champagne winner, sends out Lookin At Blessing, a maiden winner here Sept. 11.

KEY CONTENDERS

Syndergaard, by Majesticeperfection

Beyers: 90-86

◗ He was visually impressive in a five-furlong breeze last Saturday, when he started a length back of an unraced workmate and finished four in front, getting a final quarter in 23.85 seconds.

“It was the kind of breeze that would give you optimism he would handle more distance,” Pletcher said.

Favorable Outcome, by Flatter

Beyer: 88

◗ Brown said he’s given him extra time to recover from his debut.

“I’m very happy with that decision,” he said. “He’s gotten stronger every week.”

Big Gray Rocket, by Tapit

Beyers: 78-66

◗ Won his second start by 6 3/4 lengths after running second in his debut, with both races at Del Mar. Baffert shipped him from California to keep him at one turn for now.

“He had those two starts at Del Mar, which got some bottom in him,” Baffert said. “If he runs well there, I can bring him back here and run in the Breeders’ Cup. He’s a heavy horse, he’s a real strong horse, but he’s fast.”

Practical Joke, by Into Mischief

Beyers 85-83

◗ Took advantage of a fast early pace to win his debut with a clear outside trip and then had an inside trip before tipping three wide and getting up in time in the Hopeful.

◗ Has been training head-and-head with Favorable Outcome the last two weeks.