Breeders Cup Saturday Free Picks

Did you know? The Breeders' Cup Classic has produced some of the most stunning upsets in horse racing history. In 1993, Arcangues, a longshot at 133-1, took the win, shocking fans and bettors alike with the biggest payout in Breeders' Cup history—a whopping $269.20 for a $2 win bet!

Breeders Cup News:

• An Exciting Breeders' Cup Classic: International Rivals Collide

• Breeders' Cup Saturday: Appleby and Yahagi Aim to Keep Winning Streaks Alive at Del Mar

• Breeders' Cup Distaff: Thorpedo Anna Set to Command Pace from Post 2

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BREEDERS CUP NEWS

An Exciting Breeders' Cup Classic: International Rivals Collide

DEL MAR, Calif. – Nearly half a year ago, Forever Young came heartbreakingly close to becoming the first Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby, losing by two noses after a slow break and a bump from another horse in the packed 20-horse field. However, trainer Yoshito Yahagi believes these factors didn’t significantly alter the outcome.

Forever Young was not at his peak for the Derby, according to Yahagi, who subsequently developed a strategic plan to bring him back to the U.S. for the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. After a well-timed break and a preparatory race, Yahagi is confident Forever Young is ready for a top performance in this year's Classic—a race now boasting a $7 million purse. Adding to the excitement, Forever Young is joined by two Japanese contenders, Derma Sotogake and Ushba Tesoro, who also have their eyes set on the prize.

Meanwhile, Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien, aiming for his first win in this prestigious 1 1/4-mile race, brings City of Troy, a 3-year-old turf specialist bred in Kentucky and exclusively raced in Great Britain. His American debut has generated significant buzz.

Ten North American competitors round out the field. Among them are Fierceness and Sierra Leone, the only 3-year-olds to qualify, and a mix of seasoned competitors, including Grade 1 winners like Arthur’s Ride, Highland Falls, Mixto, Newgate, and Senor Buscador. Also joining is Next, the marathon standout, and Tapit Trice, winner of the 2023 Blue Grass Stakes.

Forever Young and his competitors have been training hard this week, and Saturday’s Classic promises a thrilling showcase of international talent.

The Classic is just one thrilling race in the lineup as the Breeders' Cup continues today. Don't miss out on any of the action or expert insights! Get my Breeders' Cup Advantage package for in-depth selections, race strategies, and tips to stay ahead of the competition this weekend. CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ADVANTAGE SELECTIONS

Breeders' Cup Saturday: Appleby and Yahagi Aim to Keep Winning Streaks Alive at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. – The second day of the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar features trainers seeking both first-time achievements and continued success.

Legendary Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, with 18 Breeders’ Cup wins to his name, has yet to capture victory in the Classic despite 17 attempts. This year, he’s sending City of Troy, a talented 3-year-old by Justify with six wins in seven turf starts in Europe, making his dirt debut in a full 14-horse field. Among his top challengers is Forever Young, trained by Japan’s Yoshito Yahagi, who has remained undefeated at Del Mar. Yahagi’s 2021 Breeders’ Cup wins at this track with Marche Lorraine and Loves Only You set a remarkable precedent for Japanese horses.

Forever Young, who narrowly missed victory in the Kentucky Derby, is not the only international talent aiming high. Charlie Appleby, boasting a stellar 10-for-20 record in the Breeders’ Cup, will attempt an unprecedented fourth consecutive Breeders’ Cup Mile with Notable Speech, one of his strongest contenders this Saturday.

Appleby recalls the unpredictability of racing, particularly the 2021 Juvenile Turf at Del Mar when his horse Albahr was scratched after rearing in the gate, leading to a chaotic race where Modern Games ultimately won, though only for purse money.

Trainer Kenny McPeek, still seeking his first Breeders’ Cup win, brings Thorpedo Anna, a four-time Grade 1-winning filly, to Saturday’s $2 million Distaff as the clear favorite. “There’s good energy right now,” McPeek said after observing her workout.

A few scratches, including longshots Batucada and Miss New York, have reduced the Distaff field to eight, with other notable withdrawals impacting Friday's races.

McPeek’s Rattle N Roll remains on the also-eligible list for the Classic, waiting for a last-minute opening. There’s been speculation about Senor Buscador, who underwent a PET scan earlier this week. Trainer Todd Fincher confirmed the results were clear, ensuring the horse's readiness to compete.

Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup lineup includes nine Cup races within a 12-race program starting at 10:05 a.m., with the Filly and Mare Sprint kicking off at noon and the Classic scheduled for 2:41 p.m. Pacific. NBC, Peacock, USA, and FanDuel TV will offer live coverage throughout the day. Weather forecasts predict comfortable temperatures in the mid-60s, with partly cloudy skies and a slight chance of showers later on.

Get ready for the Breeders’ Cup all the thrilling races this weekend! Order my Breeders’ Cup Advantage package for expert picks and analysis, giving you the edge you need to capitalize on this elite racing event.

Breeders' Cup Distaff: Thorpedo Anna Set to Command Pace from Post 2

DEL MAR, Calif. – Once anticipated as a two-horse battle between a champion mare and a rising star, this year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff has shifted to focus on one standout filly, Thorpedo Anna, who now enters as the strong favorite following the retirement of her main rival, Idiomatic.

Thorpedo Anna, whose four Grade 1 wins include a Kentucky Oaks victory, is heavily favored in Saturday’s $2 million Distaff at Del Mar. Trainer Kenny McPeek acknowledges the race may have been more competitive with Idiomatic but remains confident that the Distaff will still be an exciting race, especially if Thorpedo Anna leads from the start.

Thorpedo Anna, drawing post 2, is expected to use a front-running style similar to her Kentucky Oaks strategy. McPeek shared that he advised jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the Oaks to take advantage of her speed. “We don’t want any adversity out there,” McPeek noted.

Opening at 4-5 odds, Thorpedo Anna faces seven opponents, including Raging Sea (7-2), who recently pulled off a Grade 1 upset, and Awesome Result (4-1), an unbeaten contender from Japan.

Breeder Judy Hicks had high hopes for Thorpedo Anna from the start, going so far as to buy back into ownership after selling her as a yearling. Hicks said it was the first time she retained ownership of a horse she sold at auction. McPeek, who trains Thorpedo Anna alongside owners Mark Edwards and Brookdale Racing, recalled that her early training showed promise.

Her 3-year-old season began in March following a minor injury break. Since then, Thorpedo Anna has claimed the Grade 2 Fantasy and four Grade 1s, amassing over $2.8 million. She shipped to Del Mar last Sunday, where she sustained a minor scrape but quickly resumed training and looked energetic in a Wednesday gallop.

McPeek, still chasing his first Breeders’ Cup victory despite multiple near-misses, is optimistic. “It’s been elusive with all those seconds and thirds, but I have no concerns,” he said.

Trainer Chad Brown, who saddles second-choice Raging Sea, knows that a favorable trip and hot pace are essential for an upset. Raging Sea, known for coming from behind, has achieved seven wins and over $1 million in earnings. Meanwhile, Awesome Result, a Kentucky-bred standout from Japan, joins the Distaff under trainer Yasutoshi Ikee, aiming to recreate Japan’s 2021 success at Del Mar.

Candied, another contender at 15-1, enters off a third-place finish to Idiomatic. Her trainer Todd Pletcher has added blinkers to sharpen her focus.

The remaining field includes Honor D Lady, a Grade 2 winner returning from a three-month break, and California-based Sugar Fish and Che Evasora, who bring experience from local races. D’Amato, Che Evasora’s trainer, plans to replicate her successful Argentine running style by allowing her to come from behind.

The Distaff promises an exciting display of talent and strategy, with Thorpedo Anna at the center of this year’s competitive field. Order my Breeders’ Cup Advantage package and get exclusive insights to make the most of your Breeders’ Cup weekend bets!

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