Thoroughbred racing always runs big events during Thanksgiving Weekend. This year is no different. The graded stakes action starts on Thursday, Nov. 26 and doesn’t finish until Sunday, Nov. 29. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Thursday, Nov. 26 – Sunday, Nov. 29. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Picks for the Top Stakes of the Weekend

• When: Thursday, Nov. 26 – Sunday, Nov. 29

Thursday, Nov. 26 Races

Churchill Downs

• Grade 3 Cardinal Stakes – 1 1/8 miles turf – $100,000
• Grade 2 Fall City Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $200,000

Starship Jubilee finished second behind Kallio with English Soul in third at last year’s Cardinal Stakes. There’s no word on who might run in this year’s version. But keep your eyes open because they should draw for entrants on Monday.

Blackeyed Susans second place finisher Bonny South should go off the chalk to win the Grade 2 Fall City Handicap. Smooth With a Kick, Another Broad, and Evoutante will also attract action. 

Del Mar Racetrack

• Grade 3 Red Carpet Stakes – 1 3/8 miles turf – $100,000

Chad Brown ships Orglandes from Belmont Park to Del Mar to run in the Grade 3 Red Carpet on Thursday. If Brown ships for a $100,000 race, we had better believe his horse is well-meant. 

Friday, Nov. 27 Races

Aqueduct Racetrack

• Grade 3 Comely Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $100,000

Three-year-old filly Thankful could go off odds on to win Friday’s Comely Stakes. The Todd Pletcher trained daughter of American Pharoah has a couple of wins and a second from three lifetime races. 

Churchill Downs

• Grade 3 River City Stakes – 1 1/8 miles turf – $100,000
• Grade 1 Clark Handicap – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $500,000

Mr. Misunderstood has won the last two runnings of the Grade 3 River City Stakes. Since the 6-year-old gelding remains active, there’s no reason to believe trainer Brad Cox doesn’t put the saddle on and go for a third straight on Friday.

Owendale, Mr. Freeze, By My Standards, and Code of Honor all figure to enter the starting gate for the 2020 Clark Handicap. Of the four favorites, Code of Honor will offer the lowest odds. 

Del Mar Racetrack

• Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup – 1 ½ miles turf – $200,000

Fresh off a sixth place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, Brad Cox will saddle Arklow to test the best in the west in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup. On paper, Arklow looks like he towers over his competitors.

Saturday, Nov. 28 Races

Aqueduct Racetrack

• Grade 3 Long Island – 1 3/8 miles turf – $100,000

The 2020 Long Island is a wide-open race. Cristophe Clement trained Mutamakina could go off the favorite. She heads into the Long Island off a third place finish behind Lucky Money and Hungry Kitten in the Zagora Stakes. 

Churchill Downs

• Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $200,000
• Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $200,000

At least five horses will enter the starting gate for the 1 1/16 miles Golden Rod Stakes. Two of them are trained by Brad Cox, Travel Column and Coach.

Brad also figures to saddle a couple of horses for the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Swill and Inspector Frost. Street Sense Stakes winner King Fury trained by Kenny McPeek could go off the chalk.

Del Mar Racetrack

• Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap – 1 1/16 miles turf – $200,000
• Grade 1 Hollywood Derby – 1 1/8 miles turf – $300,000

The Seabiscuit Handicap should be one of the most competitive graded races of the week. Lure Stakes winner One Bad Boy, trained by Richard Baltas might grab favoritism.

Even if you don’t want to bet it, make sure to check out this Saturday’s Hollywood Derby. The Cristophe Clement trained Decorated Invader will go against Mike Maker trained Fancy Liquor. Those are two top grass runners. 

Sunday, Nov. 29 Races

Del Mar Racetrack

• Grade 3 Cecil B. Demille Stakes – 1 mile turf – $100,000
• Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes – 1 mile turf – $300,000

Trainers for just five horses so far have said they’ll run in the Grade 1 Matriarch on Sunday. Even if those five, Juliet Foxtrot, Sharing, Red Lark, Jolie Olympica, and Newspaperofrecord, are the only ones that run, the Matriarch Stakes should be fantastic.

Have a great week!