Zavata Headed for Champagne Stakes

(From track report)
Zavata came out of yesterday's third place finish in the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) in good shape, according to trainer Patrick Biancone.

"He is okay this morning and he ate up well," Biancone said Sunday.

Biancone wasn't disappointed in his colt's performance, just a little surprised by the strength of the competition.

"They haven't come out until now," he said. "We would like to think that we have the best right now but, I guess there are some others to consider."

Biancone said that Zavata, a Phone Trick 2-year-old owned by Michael Tabor, would go for some "bubbles", meaning the colt's next start would come in the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (gr. I) at a distance of 1 1/16 mile.

He added that Whywhywhy would go to the Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland and that the two colts are on target for a showdown in the Breeders' Cup Thoroughbred World Championship's Juvenile (gr. I) at Arlington Park on Oct. 26.

Biancone said that he had a good meet at Saratoga overall.

"It was perfect until August 31st," he said. "We took a little punch yesterday but we are happy still."