2022 Top Stakes to Bet On: Breeders’ Cup Prep Races Highlights Weekend Action

Previous Betting News

It’s that time of the year again, the 2021 Breeders’ Cup. North American horse racing’s biggest day will attract the top trainers, jockeys, and equines to Del Mar Racetrack in Southern California. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Breeders’ CuP for Friday, Nov 5 and Saturday, Nov 6. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

2021 Breeders’ Cup Betting Update & Picks

2021 Breeders’ Cup

When:  Friday, Nov. 5 – Saturday, Nov. 6

Future Stars Friday

When: Friday, Nov. 5

Top horse to back – JuJu’s Map in the BC Juvenile Fillies

It will be tough to beat Echo Zulu. The Gun Runner sired and Steve Asmussen trained miss is undefeated after three starts. She broke her maiden by 5 ½ lengths. She won the Grade 1 Spinaway in her second race by 4 lengths. 

But Echo Zulu hasn’t faced a runner as talented as JuJu’s Map. The Brad Cox trained miss won the Grade 1 Alcibiades going 2 turns. She can upset the 4/5 morning line chalk. 

Top Friday favorite to stay away from – Jack Cristopher in the BC Juvenile

Consider not backing Jack Cristopher to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Make no mistake, the 9/5 morning line runner looks like a great horse. Jack Cristopher won the Grade 1 Champagne by 2 ¾ lengths. 

But Cristopher is in tough. Corniche may not pose a problem since he breaks from post 12. Stablemates Barosa and Pinehurst could. 

Todd Pletcher’s Commandperformance, who finished second to Jack Cristopher in the Champagne, has a shot to turn the tables. 

Right now, Commandperformance looks like the best play. The most important thing? Do your homework before dumping on Jack Cristopher.     

Saturday – Breeders’ Cup Championship Day

Most difficult race to handicap – Breeders’ Cup Mile

Charles Appleby trained Space Blue is 3/1 on the morning line. Second choice is Mo Forza from the Peter Miller barn.

Between the two, Mo Forza is probably the better play since the Uncle Mo sired runner has won 4 straight and a couple of the wins were at Del Mar. But it’s impossible to back Mo Forza if the horse goes off at odds lower than 5/1.

Like every year, the Breeders’ Cup Mile field is deep. Don’t take short odds on any horse. 

Most likely winner – Tarnawa in the Breeders’ Cup Turf

2020 Breeders’ Cup winner Tarnawa is 9/5 on the morning line. If a runner like Very Eleegant were in this race, we might say play against. But Very Eleegant won the Melbourne Cup this week, which means she won’t run for smaller potatoes in the BC Turf.

Tarnawa, who finished second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in her last, should dominate this field. Second choice is Domestic Spending, who didn’t win his last race. 

It’s easy to overthink a race. Sometimes, though, it makes sense to go with the best horse in the race no matter the odds. Tarnawa in the BC Turf is that horse.  

Breeders’ Cup Sprint Picks

Jackie’s Warrior looks impossible to beat. However, the Steve Asmussen superstar sprinter has already raced in some seriously tough races this year. 

Don’t expect Jackie to get an easy lead. Trainers know the only way to beat the Asmussen charge is to go after him early. If a speed duel develops, it should set up for Wayne Catalano trained Aloha West.

Jackie should hang on to finish second. Special Reserve is in excellent form and can get a piece.  

• First: Aloha West
• Second: Jackie’s Warrior
• Third: Special Reserve

Breeders’ Cup Distaff Picks

Letruska is an 8/5 morning line chalk. There’s a chance she goes off at 6/5 or even money. No doubt, she can win this race, but there’s a ton of speed signed onto this.

Shedaresthedevil and Horologist will go after Letruska early. Royal Flag won the Grade 2 Beldame by 4 ¼ lengths. She’ll be in a great position to run past the the leaders.

Bob Baffert trained Private Mission has turned into one of the best 3-year-old fillies in the U.S. She has a chance to beat her elders and take the Distaff on Saturday. Don’t be surprised if the Baffert runner challenges Royal Flag to the wire. 

Malaathat is another terrific 3-year-old filly. She won the Grade 1 Alabama at 1 ¼ miles in her last. If she’s improved, and there’s no reason to believe she hasn’t, like Private Mission and Royal Flag, Malathaat can win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

An exacta box with Flag, Mission, and Malathaat might be the optimal play.    

• First: Royal Flag
• Second: Private Mission
• Third: Malathaat

Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks

Most believe Knicks Go wires this field. But the Brad Cox trained speedster has never won at 1 ¼ miles. The final 1/8 mile could send Knicks Go back peddling out of the top three. 

Max Player has great cruising speed and a wonderful turn of foot. The Steve Asmussen trainee has won two straight Grade 1 races at 1 ¼ miles. 

Hot Rod Charlie is fast enough to challenge Knicks Go early. Hot Rod almost held off Essential Quality in the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes. Give the O’Neil trainee a big chance to round out the exacta

Essential Quality has a single blemish on his stellar record, a third place finish in the Kentucky Derby. The Brad Cox trainee can win this for sure. But Quality must run down Hot Rod and get past Max Player. That won’t be easy.  

• First: Max Player
• Second: Hot Rod Charlie
• Third: Essential Quality

Previous Betting News

This weekend, the final prep races for the Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships happen. All graded prep races take place at Belmont Park. On Saturday, the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and Grade 2 Vosburgh take place. Then on Sunday, Belmont runs the Grade 3 Knickerbocker, Grade 3 Futurity, and Grade 2 Beldame.

You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Top Stakes Races for the Week

When: Saturday, Oct. 9 – Sunday, Oct. 10

Belmont Park | Saturday, Oct. 9 – Breeders’ Cup Prep Races

Grade 3 Matron Stakes – 6 furlongs turf – $150,000

At least eight fillies will run in the Matron. Among the eight, Bubble Rock, trained by Brad Cox, and Cristophe Clement trained The Club should attract the most attention. Michael Stidham runner Kit Keller, a last out maiden winner, will also get some play.

Grade 2 Vosburgh – 6 furlongs dirt – $250,000

Two-time winner and Todd Pletcher trained Following Sea finished third in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial in his last. The Runhappy sired colt couldn’t catch monsters Jackie’s Warrior and Life Is Good. On Saturday, Following Sea faces a field he can handle, which should make him one of the favorites.

Jalen Journey, trained by Steve Asmussen, could go off the chalk. Other contenders include Firenze Fire, who finished second in the Grade 1 Forego in his last, and undefeated Baby Yoda from the Bill Mott Barn.   

Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – 1 ½ miles turf – $500,000

Belmont’s Saturday feature, the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic almost always produces a Breeders’ Cup Turf contender. Gufo, Channel Maker, Japan, and Arklow are just a few of the name horses hoping to take the winner’s share of the $500,000 prize.

Belmont Park | Sunday, Oct. 10

Grade 3 Knickerbocker Stakes – 1 1/8 miles turf – $150,000

Todd Pletcher could saddle a couple for the Knickerbocker, En Wye Cee and No Word. Chad Brown will put the saddle on Sacred Life and Claude “Shug” McGaughey will go with Breaking The Rules.   

Grade 3 Futurity Stakes – 6 furlongs turf – $150,000

Five horses are confirmed for the Grade 3 Futurity. Among the five, Todd Pletcher trained Midnight Worker figures to go off the favorite. The Outwork sired runner broke his maiden going 6 furlongs on the lawn. Other contenders include Run Curtis Run from the Mike Maker barn, Juan C. Vasquez trained Dance Code, and two trained by James Chapman, Ready to March and Emma’s Waltz.

Grade 2 Beldame Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $250,000

This year’s final Breeders’ Cup prep is for the BC Distaff. Both Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher will saddle a couple. Brown’s two runners are Royal Flag and Gold Spirit. Pletcher will send Thankful and Spice is Nice to the starting gate. Bajan Girl and the 2020 Beldame winner, Horologist, should round out the field.

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