U. S. S. Valor puts in final major work for Champagne

ELMONT, N.Y. – U. S. S. Valor, the uber-impressive second-out winner at Saratoga, completed his major preparations for the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes on Oct. 3 by working a half-mile in 49.02 seconds Friday morning at Belmont Park. Track clockers caught U. S. S. Valor going his first quarter in 25 seconds and galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.

It was the second workout for U. S. S. Valor since his 13 1/4-length victory on Sept. 5 at Saratoga, for which he earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure.

“His two works since he ran have both been excellent,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “He was going easily with an exercise rider on him.”

U. S. S. Valor finished third to Gaudreau in his debut on Aug. 8 before he came back with his monster maiden victory. While pundits will wonder if U. S. S. Valor will regress, or bounce, in the Champagne, McGaughey said he’s seen a lot of positive signs from the son of War of Will that suggests he won’t.

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“In the last week or 10 days, he’s really come around,” McGaughey said. “When they were getting his feed ready, he was jumping out of his skin.”

The field for the Champagne will be drawn Sunday and is expected to be small. Gaudreau and Club Reign are the only other two confirmed starters.

Trainer Linda Rice had both Scramjet and Dargham nominated to the Champagne but said Friday neither will be ready to run.

Scramjet spiked a fever and will now be pointed to the Sleepy Hollow Stakes for New York-breds on Oct. 24.

Dargham, a 2 1/4-length debut winner on closing day at Saratoga, suffered a setback and will be off the remainder of the year.

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