The greatest day in racing is finally here with Breeders’ Cup Saturday. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the main event of the day which goes off at 5:40 PM. All races can be seen on NBCSN and NBC.
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 4
- Post Time: 12:05 PM
- Length: 7 Furlongs
- Purse: $1,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6), Daily Double / Pick 4 (Races 4-5-6-7)
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Proud Emma | F. Prat | P. Miller | 124 | 20-1 |
| 2 | Estilo Talentoso | J. Ortiz | J. Arriagada | 124 | 12-1 |
| 3 | Edgeway | J. Rosario | J. Sadler | 124 | 12-1 |
| 4 | Ce Ce | V. Espinoza | M. McCarthy | 124 | 4-1 |
| 5 | Gamine | J. Velazquez | B. Baffert | 124 | 3-5 |
| 6 | Bella Sofia | L. Saez | R. Rodriguez | 124 | 5-2 |
Race Preview:
PROUD EMMA enters the race coming off some woes in G2 and G3 races. I don’t really see this mare having a shot in this race. ESTILO TALENTOSO has one win under her belt this year coming back in a G3 Stakes race in June. Since then she has yet to find the winners circle in the past three races. EDGEWAY has won three of her four starts this year, with the only loss coming to GAMINE. CE CE is coming off a win in a G3 Stakes but lost to GAMINE in a race prior. GAMINE is the morning line favorite and has only lost one race in her ten career starts. She’s undefeated this year and hasn’t lost to any of the other entrants. BELLA SOFIA is 5-4-1 in her career and will be the main competitor to GAMINE. This horse won the G1 Test Stakes at the Spa in August. In her only second place finish she had a bad trip.
Picks:
WIN: 6 BELLA SOFIA
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 5
- Post Time: 12:40 PM
- Length: 5 Furlongs
- Purse: $1,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old
- Surface: Turf
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Pick 3 (Races 5-6-7) / Daily Double, All Turf Pick 4 (Races 5-7-9-11) / Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Glass Slippers (GB) | T. Eaves | K. Ryan | 123 | 6-1 |
| 2 | Emaraaty Ana (GB) | A. Atzeni | K. Ryan | 126 | 5-1 |
| 3 | Golden Pal | I. Ortiz, Jr. | W. Ward | 124 | 7-2 |
| 4 | Lieutenant Dan | G. Franco | S. Miyadi | 126 | 6-1 |
| 5 | Arrest Me Red | J. Velazquez | W. Ward | 124 | 12-1 |
| 6 | A Case of You (IRE) | R. Whelan | A. McGuinness | 124 | 8-1 |
| 7 | Charmaine’s Mia | F. Prat | P. D’Amato | 123 | 30-1 |
| 8 | Caravel | J. Ortiz | H. Motion | 123 | 20-1 |
| 9 | Kimari | J. Rosario | W. Ward | 123 | 6-1 |
| 10 | Gear Jockey | J. Lezcano | G. Arnold, II | 126 | 5-1 |
| 11 | Fast Boat | T. Gaffalione | J. Sharp | 126 | 12-1 |
| 12 | Extravagant Kid | R. Moore | B. Walsh | 126 | 12-1 |
Race Preview:
GLASS SLIPPERS won the G1 BC Turf Sprint at Keeneland back in November of last year but has yet to find the winners circle since. EMARAATY ANA has won two of her past three starts including the G1 Betfair Sprint Cup in her last out. The switch back to Atzeni on the reigns has seemed to make a positive impact. GOLDEN PAL seems to be in great form as well. Irad Ortiz Jr has won his past three races aboard this colt. He won he G2 BC Juvenile Turf Sprint last year. LIEUTENANT DAN is undefeated this year that includes a G2 and G3 Stakes race. In his last three races he’s shown some impressive speed figures, Franco will remain on the mount. ARREST ME RED seems to have improved with the switch to shorter distances last year and will look to capture his first G1 Stakes. A CASE OF YOU gets shipped in after winning a G1 Sprint in France. KIMARI is off a slight layoff from her last race where she won the G1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland. GEAR JOCKEY has posted some great speed figures but will face some steeper competition from her last win in a G3 Stakes. Some wildcards this race include FAST BOAT whos had some iffy races as of late and EXTRAVAGANT KID.
Picks:
WIN: 2 EMARAATY ANA
EXACTA PART WHEEL: 2,4,1/ 3
Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (yes that’s the name)
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 6
- Post Time: 1:19 PM
- Length: 1 Mile
- Purse: $1,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old & Up
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) / Daily Double, Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9) / Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Silver State | R. Santana, Jr. | S. Asmussen | 126 | 7-2 |
| 2 | Pingxiang | Y. Kawada | H. Mori | 126 | 12-1 |
| 3 | Ginobili | D. Van Dyke | R. Baltas | 126 | 4-1 |
| 4 | Jasper Prince | Y. Fukunaga | H. Mori | 126 | 30-1 |
| 5 | Life Is Good | I. Ortiz, Jr. | T. Pletcher | 126 | 4-5 |
| 6 | Restrainedvengence | E. Maldonado | V. Brinkerhoff | 126 | 20-1 |
| 7 | Snapper Sinclair | J. Rosario | S. Asmussen | 126 | 12-1 |
| 8 | Eight Rings | J. Hernandez | B. Baffert | 126 | 10-1 |
Race Preview:
SILVER STATE, one of the m/l favorites will try to find the winner’s circle again after failing to in her previous two races. In those races he finished 2nd and 3rd but faced some tough competition. He should fare much better against this field. PINGXIANG comes over from Japan where he’s fresh off back to back stakes wins. GINOBILI has historically been a sprinter but faired well in his lone race at a Mile this year. However, it must be noted, that race was a $40k AoC. LIFE IS GOOD is the favorite and has won three of her four starts this year. Her only second place finish comes to Jackie’s Warrior in a G1 Stakes back in August. EIGHT RINGS again was historically a sprinter but lengthened out in her last race and won. We’ll see if he’s up for the challenge again with a better class of horses. Two very live wildcards in this race are RESTRAINEDVENGENCE and POCKET SQUARE.
Picks:
WIN: 1 SILVER STATE
EXACTA PART WHEEL: 1, 2, 3, 6/ 5
Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 7
- Post Time: 1:59 PM
- Length: 1 3/16 Miles
- Purse: $2,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old & Up
- Surface: Turf
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) / Daily Double, Pick 6 (Races 7-8-9-10-11-12) / Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Going to Vegas | U. Rispoli | R. Baltas | 124 | 12-1 |
| 2 | Pocket Square (GB) | I. Ortiz, Jr. | C. Brown | 124 | 15-1 |
| 3 | Acanella (GB) | C. Keane | G. Lyons | 120 | 12-1 |
| 4 | Rougir (FR) | M. Guyon | C. Rossi | 120 | 6-1 |
| 5 | Queen Supreme (IRE) | J. Doyle | A. Balding | 124 | 20-1 |
| 6 | Love (IRE) | R. Moore | A. O’Brien | 124 | 4-1 |
| 7 | War Like Goddess | J. Leparoux | W. Mott | 124 | 7-2 |
| 8 | Loves Only You (JPN) | Y. Kawada | Y. Yahagi | 124 | 4-1 |
| 9 | My Sister Nat (FR) | J. Ortiz | C. Brown | 124 | 15-1 |
| 10 | Ocean Road (IRE) | O. Murphy | H. Palmer | 120 | 20-1 |
| 11 | Dogtag | F. Prat | R. Mandella | 124 | 30-1 |
| 12 | Audarya (FR) | W. Buick | J. Fanshawe | 124 | 5-1 |
Race Preview:
GOING TO VEGAS is coming off a G1 win in the Rodeo Drive Stakes and a G2 win in the John C. Mabee Stakes. POCKET SQAURE won a G3 Stakes in her last out but struggled in a G1 earlier this year. ROUGIR gets shipped in from France where she looked impressive in a G1 win her last start. LOVE is another overseas horse who has looked impressive in the past but struggled to find the winners circle after capturing her first G1 Stakes win in June. WAR LIKE GODDESS has been lights out as of late winning her last four races which includes a G1, G2 and two G3 Stakes wins. LOVES ONLY YOU comes over from Japan where’s she had success and won multiple stakes races, certainly a contender. AUDARYA hasn’t closed well in her past two races and was bested by ROUGIR her last time out.
Picks:
WIN: 7 WAR LIKE GODDESS
EXACTA BOX: 1, 6, 7
Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 8
- Post Time: 2:38 PM
- Length: 6 Furlongs
- Purse: $2,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old & Up
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10) / Daily Double, Pick 5 (Races 8-9-10-11-12) / Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Following Sea | J. Velazquez | T. Pletcher | 124 | 6-1 |
| 2 | Jackie’s Warrior | J. Rosario | S. Asmussen | 124 | 6-5 |
| 3 | C Z Rocket | F. Geroux | P. Miller | 126 | 12-1 |
| 4 | Matera Sky | Y. Kawada | H. Mori | 126 | 20-1 |
| 5 | Aloha West | J. Ortiz | W. Catalano | 126 | 8-1 |
| 6 | Firenze Fire | T. Gaffalione | K. Breen | 126 | 10-1 |
| 7 | Lexitonian | J. Lezcano | J. Sisterson | 126 | 20-1 |
| 8 | Special Reserve | I. Ortiz, Jr. | M. Maker | 126 | 6-1 |
| 9 | Dr. Schivel | F. Prat | M. Glatt | 124 | 4-1 |
Race Preview:
FOLLOWING SEA enters this race off a first place finish in a G2 Stakes and two 3rd place finishes in G1 Stakes. JACKIE’S WARRIOR has won four start which includes two G1 and two G2 Stakes. He’s the horse to beat in this race, especially given his form. CZ ROCKET has been close but failed to find the winners circle as of late. This 7 year old gelding has been beaten by DR. SCHIVEL two out of his last three starts. ALOHA WEST finished 2nd in the G2 Pheonix Stakes to SPECIAL RESERVE his last time out. FIRENZE FIRE certainly has been close but again another horse who has failed to find the winners circle as of late. His last win comes back in a G2 Stakes at Belmont in June. SPECIAL RESERVE has been impressive as of late with his only loss coming to LEXITONIAN in the G1 Vanderbilt Stakes. Besides that, he has yet to finish worse than 2nd in his past five stakes races. DR. SCHIVEL is undefeated on the year and is coming off a G1 and G2 Stakes win.
Picks:
WIN: 2 JACKIES WARRIOR
FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 9
- Post Time: 3:20 PM
- Length: 1 Mile
- Purse: $2,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old & Up
- Surface: Turf
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Pick 3 (Races 9-10-11) / Daily Double, Pick 4 (Races 9-10-11-12) / Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Master of The Seas (IRE) | J. Doyle | C. Appleby | 123 | 12-1 |
| 2 | Smooth Like Strait | U. Rispoli | M. McCarthy | 126 | 10-1 |
| 3 | Space Blues (IRE) | W. Buick | C. Appleby | 126 | 3-1 |
| 4 | Raging Bull (FR) | I. Ortiz, Jr. | C. Brown | 126 | 15-1 |
| 5 | Vin de Garde (JPN) | Y. Fukunaga | H. Fujiwara | 126 | 20-1 |
| 6 | Mo Forza | F. Prat | P. Miller | 126 | 5-1 |
| 7 | In Love (BRZ) | A. Achard | P. Lobo | 126 | 8-1 |
| 8 | Hit the Road | J. Velazquez | D. Blacker | 126 | 15-1 |
| 9 | Mother Earth (IRE) | R. Moore | A. O’Brien | 120 | 8-1 |
| 10 | Blowout (GB) | J. Rosario | C. Brown | 123 | 8-1 |
| 11 | Got Stormy | T. Gaffalione | M. Casse | 123 | 10-1 |
| 12 | Pearls Galore (FR) | B. Lee | P. Twomey | 123 | 12-1 |
| 13 | Casa Creed | J. Alvarado | W. Mott | 126 | 15-1 |
| 14 | Ivar (BRZ) | J. Talamo | P. Lobo | 126 | 12-1 |
Race Preview:
SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT has been impressive as of late but has failed to beat the current favorite, MO FORZA in the past two races. SPACE BLUES gets shipped in from across the pond and has won a G1 and G2 Stakes in his last two starts. MO FORZA has won both his starts this year but hasn’t really had great trips in either. If he gets a clean race here he may win this for fun. IN LOVE has lost to SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT and MO FORZA his last two times out and looked to be a class behind. MOTHER EARTH has raced pretty well this year despite only having two wins. This three year old filly has faced some steep competition in G1 Stakes and has held her own in most. BLOWOUT is coming off a G1 Stakes win but prior to that, lost in the G1 4StarDave to GOT STORMY. Speaking of GOT STORMY, this horse hasn’t looked great besides in that race. However, she does prefer to run at a distance and has looked better when lengthened out to a Mile. PEARLS GALORE comes in from France but I’m not sure why she’s not in a sprinting race. This horse seems to perform better when running in a sprint.
Picks:
WIN: 6 MO FORZA
EXACTA BOX: 1, 6, 10
Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 10
- Post Time: 4:00 PM
- Length: 1 1/8 Miles
- Purse: $2,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old & Up
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Pick 3 (Races 10-11-12) / Daily Double / Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Private Mission | F. Prat | B. Baffert | 121 | 8-1 |
| 2 | Royal Flag | J. Rosario | C. Brown | 124 | 8-1 |
| 3 | Malathaat | J. Velazquez | T. Pletcher | 121 | 4-1 |
| 4 | Blue Stripe (ARG) | L. Dettori | M. Polanco | 124 | 30-1 |
| 5 | Clairiere | R. Santana, Jr. | S. Asmussen | 121 | 12-1 |
| 6 | Letruska | I. Ortiz, Jr. | F. Gutierrez | 124 | 8-5 |
| 7 | Horologist | J. Alvarado | W. Mott | 124 | 30-1 |
| 8 | Shedaresthedevil | F. Geroux | B. Cox | 124 | 4-1 |
| 9 | As Time Goes By | L. Saez | B. Baffert | 124 | 15-1 |
| 10 | Marche Lorraine (JPN) | O. Murphy | Y. Yahagi | 124 | 30-1 |
| 11 | Dunbar Road | J. Ortiz | C. Brown | 124 | 15-1 |
Race Preview:
This could be one of my favorite races of the day, the field is absolutely loaded. To start things off we have PRIVATE MISSION, he’s won his last two Stakes races and has seemed more comfortable running a longer distance. ROYAL FLAG has seemed to fair better in G2 and G3 Stakes but has struggled to find the winners circle in a G1 Stakes as of late. MALATHATT has only lost one race in her seven starts, this horse is extremely impressive with multiple G1 wins to her name. CLAIRIERE won a G1 at Parx her last out but has never beaten MALATHATT. LETRUSKA has won her last five starts , four of which were G1 Stakes. This 5 year old mare is the morning line favorite for a reason. SHEDARESTHEDEVIL has looked good this year capturing multiple G1 Stakes wins but lost to LETRUSKA back in June.
Picks:
WIN: 6 LETRUSKA
EXACTA: 6/ 2, 3, 5
Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 11
- Post Time: 4:40 PM
- Length: 1 1/2 Miles
- Purse: $4,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old & Up
- Surface: Turf
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Daily Double / Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Rockemperor (IRE) | J. Castellano | C. Brown | 126 | 15-1 |
| 4 | Astronaut | V. Espinoza | J. Shirreffs | 126 | 20-1 |
| 5 | Tribhuvan (FR) | J. Ortiz | C. Brown | 126 | 20-1 |
| 6 | Acclimate | R. Gonzalez | P. D’Amato | 126 | 20-1 |
| 7 | Walton Street (GB) | J. Doyle | C. Appleby | 126 | 8-1 |
| 8 | Broome (IRE) | L. Dettori | A. O’Brien | 126 | 20-1 |
| 9 | Sisfahan (FR) | C. Demuro | H. Grewe | 122 | 12-1 |
| 10 | Yibir (GB) | W. Buick | C. Appleby | 122 | 12-1 |
| 11 | Gufo | J. Rosario | C. Clement | 126 | 8-1 |
| 12 | Teona (IRE) | D. Egan | R. Varian | 119 | 6-1 |
| 13 | Tarnawa (IRE) | C. Keane | D. Weld | 123 | 9-5 |
| 14 | Japan (GB) | R. Moore | A. O’Brien | 126 | 20-1 |
A/E: #15 BOLSHOI BALLET , #16 CHANNEL MAKER will run in place of #2 & #3
Race Preview:
ROCKEMPEROR bested GUFO his last time out in a G1 Stakes but lost him in the race prior. This horse has shown he’s capable of winning so we’ll see what he can do here. WALTON STREET seems comfortable at this distance of a 1 1/2 Miles. This gelding has captured several stakes wins at this distance. SISFAHAN won a G1 Stakes race in Germany earlier this year at this distance. Since then, this colt has finished 2nd and 3rd in G1 Stakes. YIBIR is coming off back to back wins at this distance. This gelding is certainly a contender and is worth at look given the price. GUFO is coming off a loss to ROCKEMPEROR as previously mentioned but he was bumped a the start and still ran 3rd. With DOMESTIC SPENDING scratched, GUFO becomes a bigger contender. TEONA seems to be in great form shipping in from across the pond. He’s won his last two after having a rough stretch of races before. TARNAWA is the horse to beat coming over from Ireland, he only has one win in his three starts this year but raced in some very tough stakes. When he came to the US the last time he won the G1 BC Turf at Keeneland in November of last year, so he’s clearly comfortable with the turf here.
Picks:
WIN: 11 GUFO
EXACTA: 9, 10, 11/ 13
Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic
Race Information:
- Track: Del Mar (Del Mar, CA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 12
- Post Time: 5:40 PM
- Length: 1 1/4 Miles
- Purse: $6,000,000
- Division: Open | 3 Years Old & Up
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta, Super High 5
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WGT | M/L |
| 1 | Tripoli | I. Ortiz, Jr. | J. Sadler | 126 | 15-1 |
| 2 | Express Train | V. Espinoza | J. Shirreffs | 126 | 20-1 |
| 3 | Hot Rod Charlie | F. Prat | D. O’Neill | 122 | 4-1 |
| 4 | Essential Quality | L. Saez | B. Cox | 122 | 3-1 |
| 5 | Knicks Go | J. Rosario | B. Cox | 126 | 5-2 |
| 6 | Art Collector | M. Smith | W. Mott | 126 | 8-1 |
| 7 | Stilleto Boy | K. Desormeaux | E. Moger, Jr. | 122 | 30-1 |
| 8 | Medina Spirit | J. Velazquez | B. Baffert | 122 | 4-1 |
| 9 | Max Player | R. Santana, Jr. | S. Asmussen | 126 | 8-1 |
Race Preview:
The main event has finally arrived! TRIPOLI is on the rail coming off a 4th place finish in the G1 Awesome Again Stakes. In that race was bested by fellow entrants MEDINA SPIRIT, STILLETO BOY, and EXRPRESS TRAIN. Prior to his last out he won the G1 Pacific Classic and took 2nd in the G2 San Diego Handicap. In that G1 win, the race was run a 1 1/4 Miles which this race is also run at. EXPRESS TRAIN‘s best finish of the year comes back in that G2 San Diego Handicap where he beat TRIPOLI. This horse will try to stay middle of the pack but I don’t think will have enough closing power given the field. HOT ROD CHARLIE is in incredible form, coming off two G1 Stakes wins where he posted his best career speed figures. The only downside to this horse is he has lost to MEDINA SPIRIT and ESSENTIAL QUALITY in the past but things could change given how he looks as of late. ESSENTIAL QUALITY has won five of his six starts this year just dominating the competition. His only loss this year comes to MEDINA SPIRIT in the G1 Kentucky Derby. KNICKS GO is the current favorite but that may change before post time. This 5 year old horse has won her last three starts including the G1 Whitney. He has yet to face ESSENTIAL QUALITY and MEDINA SPIRIT so it should be a good test for him. ART COLLECTOR is another horse on a hot streak winning his last three. He had a rough finish to 2020 and start in 2021 but seems to be racing better as of late and enjoying the longer races. MEDINA SPIRIT comes into the Classic with two wins in his last two starts. He’s beaten most of the other horses in race and looks to be a serious contender. MEDINA SPIRIT also won the G1 Kentucky Derby this year but is still under review for doping allegations with Trainer Bob Baffert. MAX PLAYER rounds out the field and seems to enjoy the 1 1/4 Mile distance winning his last two starts at that length.
Picks:
WIN: 4 ESSENTIAL QUALITY
EXACTA BOX: 3, 4, 8
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
