Most casual racing fans know about the Triple Crown and the pageantry and prestige that surrounds three Saturdays in late spring. Full time fans and bettors know the best action of the year with the strongest fields happen at The Breeder’s Cup. The event returns to Del Mar for the second time after its debut there in 2017. Del Mar is one of my favorite venues in the country and they should put on a fantastic show for us this weekend.
We hit one of five winners in the juvenile races on Friday and are hoping to take down some nice wins on the Big Cards on Saturday as well. My written analysis is much lighter for Saturday as I am also finishing up Saturday football card, but I put just as much time in evaluating as I did for Friday’s races (Just less time typing). I am including picks for all 12 races on the card, The Breeders’ Cup races are numbers 4-12
Race 1 Allowance Optional Claiming – 1 1/16 Miles (TURF) – Purse: $100,000 – Post Time: 12:15 CST
I like the 7 Horse Via Egnatia here as a solid closer who has won the last two times out including at this distance with both races in Socal.
WIN: 7 – Via Engatia
Top 4 if playing exotics: 7-8-6-1
Race 2 The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance – Grade II – 1 5/8 Miles (Dirt) Purse: $250,000 Post Time – 12:50 CST
Possible revenge tour for a few different horses. 2 Horse Lone Rock beat 4 Horse Tizamagician at Belmont a few trips back, and 6 horse Locally Owned knocked off Lone Rock there in Mid- September.
WIN: 2 – Lone Rock
Top 4 if playing exotics: 2-4-6-3
Race 3 – The Goldikova S. – Grade II – 1 Mile (TURF) – Purse: $300,000 – Post Time 1:25 CST
Female Turf Mile race lacking in frontline speed. See this one as fairly wide open so looking at some longer shots. 8 horse Warren’s Showtime fits the bill at 12-1. Hit the board in 20 off 22 starts and matches the favorite 2 Horse Princess Grace’s best mile time this year.
Win: 8- Warren’s Showtime
Top 4 if playing exotics: 8-1-2-7
Race 4 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint – Grade I – 7 Furlongs (Dirt) – Purse: $1,000,000 – Post Time: 2:05 CST
First Breeders Cup Race of the Day features 5 Horse Gamine as big favorite having won 9 of last 10 races over last two years including this race last year. The price won’t be right so I’ll be looking to play this one as an Exacta with Gamine over some others.
Exacta: 5/2-3-4
Race 5 The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Grade I – 5 Furlongs (TURF) – Purse: $1,000,000 – Post Time: – 2:40 CST
Speed, Speed and more Speed as again it will depend on who can get in some clear air and make this a good trip. Sticking with the combo that worked on Friday with Trainer Wesley Ward and Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr aboard 3 horse Golden Pal. I do think this race is very wide open though so look for some potential long odds options as post time gets close. I am leading toward the 4 horse Lieutenant Dan.
Win: 3 Golden Pal
Top 4 if playing exotics: – 3-4-11-2
Race 6 The Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – Grade I – 1 Mile (Dirt) – Purse: $1,000,000 Post Time: 3:19 CST
What a great sponsor for a race. Or anything really. I like the favorite here 5 Horse Life is Good. I’ll be playing him in exactas here as likely to go off at less than even money.
Exacta Key Box: 5/1-3-6
Race 7 The Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf – Grade I – 1 3/8 Miles (TURF) – Purse: $2,000,000 Post Time: 3:59 CST
I was really torn on this one between quite a few horses. Settled on taking a shot on the 6 Horse Love. She has been battling it out in Europe with the 12 Horse Audarya.
Win: 6 Love
Top 4 If Playing exotics: 6-7-12-11
Race 8 The Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint – Grade I – 6 Furlongs (Dirt) – Purse: $2,000,000 Post Time 4:38 CST
2 Horse Jackie’s Warrior is likely to be a big favorite at Post, and I will use him in Exactas, but I also like the 2 outside horses to challenge if they get clear. The 8 Horse Special Reserve and the 9 Horse Dr. Schivel.
Exacta Key Box: 2/8-9
Trifecta Box 2-8-9
Race 9 The Fanduel Breeders’ Cup Mile – Grade I – 1 Mile (Dirt) – Purse: $2,000,000 Post Time: 5:20 CST
The Horse to beat is the one who has won 9 of the last 10 6 Horse Mo Forza. Currently at 5-1 But I expect that to drop. Get him to win at 2-1 or better and in Exacta’s.
Win – 6 Mo Forza
Exacta Key Box – 6/2-11-3
Race 10 The Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff – Grade I – 1 1/8 Miles (Dirt) – Purse $2,000,000 Post Time 6:00 CST
Fillies and Mares here. 2 Big Favorites and with good reason. I locked them both with the juvenile double yesterday so hoping one comes in. 3 Horse Malathaat and 6 Horse Letruska are the class of the field with the Malathaat having won 6 of last 7 and Letruska 7 of the last 8. No reason to expect anything different here. Take your pick or pair them up. Also a good spot to start or end or middle a Pick 3.
Win: 3 Malathaat
Pick 3: I’ll have a few going around this race. Hit me up for details on Twitter @thegreatknoche
Race 11 The Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf – Grade I – 1 1/2 Miles (TURF) – Purse: $4,000,000 Post Time: 6:40 CST
Wide Open Race with a lot of big names. I landed on the 10 Horse Yibir. Had a great showing at Belmont last time out in September going this same 1.5 Miles in 2:26. If he can repeat I like his chances over some of the other big names like 11 horse Gufo, and 3 Horse Domestic Spending.
Win: 10 Yibir
Top 4 if playing Exotics: 10-11-8-3
Race 12 The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic – Grade I -1 1/4 Miles (Dirt) Purse $6,000,000 – Post Time 7:40 CST
The Best of the Best here in the Classic, and for me it’s all about 5 Horse Knicks Go. He had a couple of rough races to start the year, but has rounded into form. He will be stretching out an extra 1/8 mile here vs his last 3 races, but it doesn’t really concern me. If he stumbles I like the 9 Horse Max Player to come in over the 2 big 3 year olds from this year 3 Horse Hot Rod Charlie and 4 Horse Essential Quality.
Win: Knicks Go
Top 4 if playing Exotics: 5-9-4-3
