Team Valor International’s U. S. S. Valor secured an automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) with his impressive 6 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park. However, according to a post by Team Valor on X, the War of Will colt will skip the $2 million event scheduled for October 30 at Keeneland. The post confirmed that U. S. S. Valor emerged from the one-mile race in good health, and trainer Shug McGaughey, along with Team Valor principal Barry Irwin, decided against entering the Breeders’ Cup. Irwin mentioned that McGaughey will oversee U. S. S. Valor’s training and racing plan as they prepare for the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1), a race McGaughey previously won with Orb in 2013.
Team Valor also has a history of Derby success, having celebrated victory in the 2011 Kentucky Derby with Animal Kingdom, who was trained by Graham Motion. U. S. S. Valor earned 10 qualifying points toward the 2027 Kentucky Derby by winning the Champagne, a key race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Notably, the Champagne Stakes has been a launching pad for 23 Kentucky Derby winners from 1892 to 2010, with most winners emerging since the race was extended to one mile in 1940.
Bred by Team Valor, U. S. Valor is by War of Will out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Spangled Banner. He boasts two wins and one third-place finish in three starts, amassing earnings of $352,050 so far.
Fan Take: Skipping the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile might surprise some, but it highlights a strategic focus on the Kentucky Derby, one of racing’s crown jewels. This move could signal a more thoughtful, long-term approach to developing top-tier talent, potentially raising the excitement and competition for the 2027 Derby season.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
