Practical Joke Gets the Last Laugh in Champagne Stakes

Photo Credit: Adam Coglianese/NYRA

Syndergaard tried as hard as he could, but in the end Practiclal Joke got the last laugh in the Champagne Stakes (GI).

After swift early fractions of :22.74, :44.63, and 1:08.76, Practical Joke made a bold move up the rail, before hooking to the outside to run down Syndergaard in the shadow of the wire.

“They were obviously going very fast in front,” said winning trainer Chad Brown. “not only the two leaders, but my other horse [Favorable Outcome] in close pursuit behind, so the race set up beautifully for this horse.”

With this win Practical Joke improved his record to a sterling three wins in as many starts, while also earning an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Should Practical Joke take aim at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile he will be asked to cover an extra sixteenth in distance, while also negotiating a second turn for the first time in his short career.

“He's handled the distance increases every time we've asked him to,” Brown said. “We're looking forward to getting to run him a little bit further.”

In the Juvenile, Practical Joke will likely face FrontRunner Stakes (GI) winner and runner up Gormly and Klimt, respectively. Both of those foes will not only hold home field advantage over Practical Joke, but will also own two turn experience, along with experience over the eight and one half furlong distance.

Will Practical Joke keep on laughing right into the Breeders’ Cup winner’s circle? He has disappointed us yet, giving us no reason to expect that he will do so when he is put on center stage in the World Championships.

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