By Xpressbet
BREEDERS’ CUP Free Access: 1/ST Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide Last Night’s Post Draw Reaction NOTABLE CARRYOVERS Jackpot Pick 5 | $40,949 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ET 1/ST BET AI MOST LIKELY HORSESHOE INDY WINNER Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 2 | 2:41 pm ET | #2 Don't Miss Out (30%) KEY RACES FD Racing | Race 5 | 3:52 pm ET | Illinois Futurity FD Racing | Race 7 | 4:48 pm ET | Illinois Debutante LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIX Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ET Mountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ET Delta Downs | Race 8 | 9:06 pm ET TRAINERS TO WATCH Larry Sterling Jr. | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or less morning line DID YOU SEE? Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | jockey Joseph Ramos | 3 wins, 1 third from 6 mounts PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAM Frank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer Tuesday best bets available in Xpressbet.com member’s section
By Jeremy Plonk
Fields for all 14 Breeders’ Cup races Friday and Saturday were drawn Monday at Del Mar, host site of the 41st edition of Thoroughbred racing’s championship event. The $7 million Classic headlines the two programs and will be part of the $20,000 Exacta-Thon promotion offered to Xpressbet and 1/ST BET customers over the championships. For complete event coverage, access our free 1/ST Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide now (updates throughout the week). Del Mar official morning line oddsmaker Jeff Siegel made Epsom Derby winner City of Troy the Classic’s projected 5-2 favorite in his first foray to American racing. International runners add much luster to this year’s Breeders’ Cup, including the UK’s brilliant 2-year-old filly Lake Victoria (Juvenile Fillies Turf), globetrotting ’22 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance, as well as Japan’s Classic prospects Ushba Tesoro, Forever Young and Derma Sotogake – part of a 19-strong contingent from the Far East. Among the notable American names in the entries include 2024 Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (Distaff), 2024 Travers winner Fierceness (Classic), marathon superstar Next (Classic), 2024 Preakness winner Seize the Grey (Dirt Mile) and 2024 world-record setter Cogburn (Turf Sprint). As for some post-position draw winners and losers, Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies favorite Scottish Lassie will make her 2-turn debut from the far outside draw (10), a tough task given that experience deficit. The Juvenile Fillies Turf unbeaten favorite Lake Victoria could find trouble from the rail if she fails to break and the field of 13 rivals moves down on her. The rail for Juvenile favorite East Avenue, who has strong early speed, insures that he’ll be sent to the pace barring any missteps. Juvenile Turf major UK players line up in 11-12-13 with New Century, Aomori City and Henri Matisse and may be a one-go, all-go situation in that they either all get the trips together or they all don’t. Saturday’s notable post draw winners and losers include Big Evs and Bradsell, the European stars, harpooned out in posts 11 and 12 of the Turf Sprint. Any doubt where Distaff favorite Thorpedo Anna would be placed was all but eliminated when post 2 was drawn. Expect her to force the tempo and play catch me if you can as the odds-on favorite. Love that for her. In the Classic, Next drawing the outside 14 with a long run to the first turn may be a blessing as jockey Luan Machado will be in by far the biggest ride of his career and he has the entire field to one side for him to take measure of and put his horse where he wants. Fierceness being inside that speed horse as well as Arthur’s Ride in post 12 could put the Travers winner Fierceness under pressure that’s not been his strong suit. In the Mile, the two European favorites Notable Speech and Porta Fortuna could not have asked for more with mid-gate starting spots. In the Dirt Mile finale, rail-drawn Saudi Crown and widest-drawn Skippylongstocking insure a hotter pace than anticipated with both having to use their early heat. Late-runners may benefit most. Here’s the bulleted look at the Breeders’ Cup programs. Friday races: Juvenile Turf Sprint: 12 entries (+2 also-eligible), led by 7-2 morning line favorite Ecoro Sieg (post 7) from Japan. Juvenile Fillies: 10 entries, led by 5-2 morning line favorite Scottish Lassie (post 10). Juvenile Fillies Turf: 14 entries (+3 also-eligible), led by 8-5 morning line favorite Lake Victoria (post 1). Juvenile: 10 entries, led by 5-2 morning line favorite East Avenue (post 1). Juvenile Turf: 14 entries (+2 also-eligible), led by 5-2 morning line favorite New Century (post 11). // Saturday races: Filly & Mare Sprint: 10 entries, led by 5-2 morning line favorite Ways and Means (post 9). Turf Sprint: 12 entries (+3 also eligible), led by 7-5 morning line favorite Cogburn (post 9). Distaff: 10 entries, led by 4-5 morning line favorite Thorpedo Anna (post 2). Turf: 13 entries, led by 5-2 morning line favorite Rebel’s Romance (post 11). Classic: 14 entries (1 also-eligible), led by 5-2 morning line favorite City of Troy (post 3). Filly & Mare Turf: 13 entries, led by 5-2 morning line favorite War Like Goddess (post 4). Sprint: 11 entries, led by 3-1 morning line favorite Federal Judge (post 3). Mile: 12 entries, led by 7-2 morning line favorite Notable Speech (post 6). Dirt Mile: 14 entries, led by 7-2 morning line favorite Domestic Product (post 9). // $7 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic | 1-1/4 miles on dirt | Race 8 | 5:41 pm ET #1-Forever Young (Ryusei Sakai // Yoshito Yahagi) 6-1 #2-Highland Falls (Luis Saez // Brad Cox) 20-1 #3-City of Troy (Ryan Moore // Aidan O’Brien) 5-2 #4-Mixto (Kyle Frey // Doug O’Neill) 30-1 #5-Senor Buscador (Joel Rosario // Todd Fincher) 30-1 #6 Derma Sotogake (Christophe Lemaire // Hidetaka Otonashi) 20-1 #7-Ushba Tesoro (Yuga Kawada // Noboru Takagi) 12-1 #8-Pyrenees (Brian Hernandez Jr. // Cherie DeVaux) 30-1 #9-Fierceness (John Velazquez // Todd Pletcher) 3-1 #10-Tapit Trice (Irad Ortiz Jr. // Todd Pletcher) 30-1 #11-Sierra Leone (Flavien Prat // Chad Brown) 12-1 #12-Arthur’s Ride (Junior Alvarado // Bill Mott) 15-1 #13-Newgate (Frankie Dettori // Bob Baffert) 20-1 #14-Next (Luan Machado // Doug Cowans) 8-1
By Al Cimaglia
Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The 0.50 Pick 5 with a $15,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track. Race 6 (8:40 PM EST) 1-Leonidas A (9/2)-Has won 2 of the last 3 in what has been a camera-shy year. Will give the benefit of the doubt that taking another picture is in the cards leaving from the rail. 6-Lou’s Sweetrevenge (10-1)-Price shot steps up but so do most of these. Bartlett takes a seat, which should help, and will look for an aggressive drive in a race without a standout. Race 7 (9:00 PM EST) 3-Purple Poet (4-1)-This is another who dropped and popped going gate to wire. Steps up but this isn’t a salty group. Will string a long and will be a better a price than 1-2 tonight. 5-Big Gulp (5/2)-Recent form has been dull, takes a significant drop and if 100% should have his way with these. But, can’t fully trust that will be the case. Race 8 (9:20 PM EST) 2-Himself N (4-1)-Raced well against this kind for quite a while and has been stuck with post 8 the last 2. Should be out and rolling with this post draw and could be tough to tackle. 4-Pleaseletmeknow (7/2)-Classy Alexander trainee didn’t make the cut at M1 in its BC Elim. Returns to its home field and should be in the hunt facing this group. 5-Coaches Corner (9/2)-Has been off since 9-7 but won a qualifier at the Big M in 150.3 on 10-19. Engblom entry likes to win here taking 9 pictures in 19 starts. Bartlett gets the nod, and looks ready to add to its win total. Race 9 (9:40 PM EST) 2-Aussie Hanover (8-1)-Will swing for a price and Matt Kakaley steers for the 2nd straight time. Comes back on schedule and has been far back early in recent starts. But has a chance to get a close up seat here and did close in 55.1 last week. 3-Maximus Red A (7/2)-Won from post 8 and then faded down the lane at 3/5 last time but missed a start. Comes back versus the same kind in sequence and Jim Marohn gets the catch drive. Should get the top and can win with a well rated mile. $1.00 Late Pick 4 1,6/3,5/2,4,5/2,3 Total Bet=$24 Check me out on Twitter!
By Xpressbet
BREEDERS’ CUP Free Access: 1/ST Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide Post Position Draw 7:00 pm ET NOTABLE CARRYOVERS Pick 5 | $28,179 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 5 | 4:14 pm ET Pick 5 | $9,425 | Finger Lakes | begins Race 4 | 2:27 pm ET 1/ST BET AI MOST LIKELY HORSESHOE INDY PICK 5 WINNER Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ET | #8 Proud Divi (30%) LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIX Finger Lakes | Race 8 | 4:23 pm ET Parx | Race 10 | 4:47 pm ET Mountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ET TRAINERS TO WATCH Steve Asmsussen | Horseshoe Indianapolis | all 5 entrants 9-2 or less morning line DID YOU SEE? Yesterday | Santa Anita | closing-day pick 6 paid $55,394 PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAM Frank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer Monday best bets available in Xpressbet.com member’s section
By Al Cimaglia
Northfield Park has a 16-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track. Race 11 (9:40 PM EST) 1-Seven It Is (3-1)-Made its debut for the Oliverio barn in last after shipping in from the East coast. Hadn't raced in a few weeks, drew the 8-hole, and took the long way around. Aaron Merriman gets the nod and should be better in the 2nd start on the oval. 4-Hot Shave (4-1)-This 3-year-old could take a picture at a square price with an efficient trip. Has won 3 of 4 here and could be ready to top older. Cory Kreiser trainee should be racing at the top of the stack and be there at the wire. 7-Beautiful Lather (2-1)-The Lather Up 3-year-old doesn't get the best post draws but has enough gate speed to get the point or the 2-hole. Should be in play early and Ronnie Wrenn can work an effective trip and be in the hunt. Race 12 (10:02 PM EST) 1-Live And Let Di (5/2)-Beaten odds-on chalk should be on the point or in the pocket when the wings fold. Has won 8 of 23 this year and looks like a main player again. 5-Hill Of A Night (2-1)-Program chalk has won 2 straight, the last coming from the 8-hole versus this kind. Likes to take pictures and the win streak could continue with the right trip. Race 13 (10:24 PM EST) 3-Holi Starzzz A (9/2)-Faded down the lane versus straight FM Open company but was off for 3 weeks between starts. Wrenn grabs the lines, that's a positive driver change, comes back in sequence and looks like a player at a square price. 9-Trick Of The Light (3-1)-Needs to get a few breaks but there is some gate speed inside and could come away with a decent seat. Tried to go gate to wire in last and missed by a neck. Can close in a hurry and is a player with a sharp steer. Race 14 (10:46 PM EST) 5-I'm A Beach Lady (8/5)-Winner in 10 of 29 races this year but has only taken 1 picture at Nfld. Recent winners are not in this field plus gets a ++ driver change in Aaron Merriman. He can muscle his way to the top and control the mile. Should be difficult to down with a smooth trip and won't offer any value. $2.00 Late Pick 4 1,4,7/1,5/3,9/5 Total Bet=$24 Check me out on Twitter!
By Jeff Siegel
Santa Anita 5th Race – Post: 3:00 PT. Degree of confidence: B Top Selection/Prime Play: 5-Whatmakessammyrun Backups: 3-Great King Forecast: Whatmakessammyrun has some back class that hasn’t been exploited this year, but he’s now in the high percentage Mark Glatt barn, and in his first start off the claim the veteran gelding could easily regain his winning form in this contentious extended turf sprint for older $32,000 claimers. The son of We Miss Artie was forced to take the overland trip and may have lost more ground that he was beaten by when unplaced (just three lengths behind the winner) in his most recent start, but he if he can save some ground today and improve as expected for his new connections he can secure his first victory of the year at what should be an attractive number on the tote. ______________________________________________________________________________ Santa Anita – 10th race - Post: 5:30 PT. Degree of confidence: B+ Top Selection/Prime Play: 6-Final Edition Backups: 2-Money Makes Money. Forecast: Final Edition is a dangerous ship-and-win entrant in this extended turf sprint for older maidens and brings with him speed figures that are good enough to beat this field. Now in the V. Cerin barn after a pair of promising runs in New York last summer when conditioned by W. Ward, the son of Uncle Mo has trained quite well in recent weeks to be fit and ready and is back sprinting at a distance that compliments his style. Top rider J. Hernandez takes the call, so it all adds up to a major performance and a prime play at anything close to his morning line of 3-1. ______________________________________________________________________________
By Xpressbet
TOURNAMENT TIME $1,500 Santa Anita Closing Day Challenge | details COAST-TO-COAST PICK 5 Gulfstream Races 8,9,10 | Santa Anita Races 5,7 | final offering until Dec. 26 NOTABLE CARRYOVERS Pick 5 | $48,484 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 6 | 3:35 pm ET Jackpot Super Hi 5 | $118,043 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 10 | 6:12 pm ET Mandatory Payout 3x3 | $13,200 | Santa Anita| begins Race 8 | 7:34 pm ET 1/ST BET AI MOST LIKELY GULFSTREAM PICK 5 WINNER Gulfstream Park | Race 7 | 4:05 pm ET | #2 Both Sides (30%) KEY RACES Belmont at the Big A | Race 3 | 1:42 pm ET | first of 8 Empire Showcase Day stakes Churchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ET | Rags to Riches Stakes Churchill Downs | Race 10 | 5:25 pm ET | Street Sense Stakes Woodbine | Race 9 | 5:40 pm ET | Overskate Stakes Santa Anita | Race 7 | 4:04 pm ET | Autumn Miss Stakes LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIX Belmont at the Big A | Race 2 | 1:11 pm ET Laurel | Race 6 | 2:51 pm ET Churchill Downs | Race 8 | 4:25 pm ET TRAINERS TO WATCH Brad Cox. | Belmont at the Big A | all 4 entrants 5-1 or less morning line DID YOU SEE? Yesterday | Belmont at the Big A | jockey Dylan Davis | 3 wins, followed up a 4-win Friday PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAM Jeff Siegel: What You Need to Know - Santa Anita | Sunday, October 27, 2024 Scott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Spot Plays | Sunday, October 27, 2024 Frank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer Sunday best bets available in Xpressbet.com member’s section
By Scott Shapiro
Sunday marks Opening Day at the 2024 Churchill Downs Fall Meeting after a Keeneland meet that saw a lot of wire-to-wire winners, multiple Pick 5 carryovers, and some strong performances from some of racing’s brightest stars. Now it is on to Louisville where the home of the Kentucky Derby will take center stage over the next several weeks. That means a lot of 2YO racing and that starts immediately with the Stars of Tomorrow I card to kick off the meet. Here are a few horses I will be leaning on Sunday afternoon: Race 6: The midway point of the 11-race Sunday afternoon slate is this 6-furlong affair for 2YO fillies where I like #5 Banking Silver. The Dallas Stewart trainee finished second on debut and ran even better than it appears on paper. That first start came on September 29, a day where the inside was the clear place to be. Instead, this Liam’s Map filly broke slowly from the far outside in a field of 12. The slow start and extreme outside draw gave Luis Saez little options from there with his mount. He was caught five-wide on the backstretch and four-wide on the far turn before continuing to battle to the wire to finish second beaten less than a length by even-money favorite, Souk Plaza. Hopefully, she can save more ground and break a bit better this time around. If so, I love her chances at a playable price. Play: #5 Banking Silver (6-1 ML) Race 9: Rags to Riches The first stake of the meet is the $200,00 Rags to Riches, which is conducted at 1 1/16-miles over the main track. The morning line favorites #6 Good Cheer and #2 Claire’s Charm are probably the likeliest winners, but I am going to take a much bigger swing with recent maiden breaker #1 My Lil Punky. The Outwork filly moves inside and stretches out to two-turns after a very sharp effort in her third career start at Keeneland on October 12. With a clean break, Junior Alvarado should be able to dictate terms. The pedigree is questionable, but if Alvarado can back this field down early, the John Ennis trainee could have more left late than most expect. Play: #1 My Lil Punky (15-1 ML) Race 11: The closing day finale is a MSW event for the boys at 8.5-furlongs and the headliner is the regally-bred #1 Bisou. The Curlin colt is out of champion mare Midnight Bisou and is trained of course by North America’s all-time leading trainer, Steve Asmussen. I am looking forward to seeing how he does, but am not in love with his chances of winning at first asking. I much prefer #3 Limited Edition. The Godolphin homebred bobbled at the start of his debut here at Churchill Downs back in mid-September and was caught three-wide on the backstretch before putting in a strong late run to just get up for second. On the surface, the Not This Time colt was good not great, but he did this over a racetrack that favored speed and did so at a very challenging configuration for first-time starters. Now he stretches out to two-turns and hopefully either breaks better or gets a racetrack that plays more fairly. Either way, I love his chances to run well for trainer Brendan Walsh. Play: #3 Limited Edition (4-1 ML) Good luck on opening day!!