Zito hoping Lookin At Blessing ready to pop in Champagne

ELMONT, N.Y. – Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito may not be the presence in the big races that he once was, but he hopes to be a factor in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne with Lookin At Blessing.

Zito has won the Champagne five times, including in 2003 with Birdstone and in 2007 with War Pass.

Lookin At Blessing, a son of Lookin At Lucky, is coming off a 2 1/4-length maiden score going a mile here Sept. 11, his third start.

“I think the horse is certainly getting better,” Zito said. “He won at a mile, which has got to be good, and did it pretty impressively. I think that was a good field behind him. Certainly, a horse that looks like that has got a future. I got to try to see what it is. If you don’t take your shot, you can’t score.”

Lookin At Blessing drew post 4 and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. Ortiz was taken off Practical Joke, the Grade 1 Hopeful winner, who will be ridden by Joel Rosario from the rail in the Champagne.

Thirst for Victory and Syndergaard, both trained by Todd Pletcher, drew posts 2 and 3. Favorable Outcome is in post 5, followed by Big Gray Rocket in post 6.