2022 Top Stakes to Bet On: Six Grades Races for the Weekend

The closer we approach the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, the less graded stakes action we’ll find. This weekend, Keeneland, Aqueduct, and Woodbine provide grade 3 stakes action. Grade 3 races don’t have the same talent that grade 2 and grade 1 races have. But the events are competitive. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, October 22nd to Sunday, October 23rd. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds, Picks, and Betting Analysis | October 17th Edition

Woodbine | Saturday, Oct. 22

Grade 3 – Ontario Matron – 1 1/18 miles artificial – 3 year old fillies & up

Although we don’t know what fillies and mares will run, we have an idea. No doubt, Woodbine trainer Mark Casse will have a runner. Casse might saddle a couple.

Also, Art of Almost, Sky Gaze, and Juxtapose may return to try for a top three finish. Art of Almost is a 6-year-old mare that won the Matron as a 5-year-old last year.

Aqueduct | Saturday, Oct. 22

Grade 3 Noble Damsel – 1 mile turf – 3 year old fillies & up

Like in most turf races on the east coast, top grass trainer Chad Brown will enter more than a single runner. Brown plans on saddling Lady Day and Domain Expertise.

Cristophe Clement puts the bridle on Messidor and likely favorite Plum Ali. Others expected to run include Lake Lucerne, Por Que No, Miss Dracarys, and Evvie Jets.

Grade 2 Hill Prince – 1 1/8 miles turf – 3 year olds

At least seven runners will go in the Grade 2 Hill Prince. Among the seven, Todd Pletcher trained Grand Sonata projects as the chalk.

Pletcher will also saddle Be Better. Neil Drysdale trained St Anthony will attract some action. Since James Jones hails from the Chad Brown barn, we should expect underlay odds. Danny Gargan trained Riot House and Doug O’Neil runner Mackinnon should also enter the gate.

Keeneland | Saturday, Oct. 22

Grade 2 Raven Run – 7 furlongs dirt – 3 year olds

The Raven Run isn’t just the most prestigious graded race happening this weekend, it’s also a last ditch effort for horses to grab a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint or Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

At least nine runners will enter the starting gate for the Raven Run. The favorite figures to be Colorful Mischief from the Todd Pletcher barn, Saffie Joseph Jr. trained Republique, and Steve Asmussen trained Wicked Halo.

Often, the Raven Run is a super competitive event. So make sure to handicap every entrant before deciding on the winner or key horse.

Woodbine | Sunday, Oct. 23

Grade 3 Ontario Derby – 1 1/8 miles artificial – 3 year olds

Like the Matron on Saturday, horseplayers must wait later in the week to know which runners will step into the Ontario Derby starting gate. Last year, Frosted Over beat Riptide Rock and Artie’s Storm.

The race is for 3-year-olds. So the top three finishers from last year can’t run in this year’s event.

Keeneland | Sunday, Oct. 23

Grade 3 Dowager – 1 ½ miles turf – 3 year old fillies & up

No doubt, Chad Brown trained Virginia Joy will go off the chalk. The 5-year-old mare beat War Like Goddess and Coastana to win the Grade 2 Flower Bowl Invitational in her last.

Brown is running Joy to see if she is ready for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. There are other runners in the race, but you must beat Virginia Joy if you expect to cash a ticket on the Dowager on Sunday.

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