Free Picks and Winning Tips for Today’s Races! Saturday 10-26

Did you know? The largest winning margin in a Triple Crown race was set in 1973 when Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by an astonishing 31 lengths. This record-breaking feat remains one of the most unforgettable moments in horse racing history, showcasing the raw power and speed of one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

In today’s email:

• Keeneland: Gun Song Emerges as a Favorite for the Mother Goose Stakes

• Belmont: Trikari Leads the Pack, But Victory Isn’t Certain in Competitive Bryan Station

• Idiomatic to miss Breeders’ Cup Distaff, retired from racing

• National Treasure out of Dirt Mile

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KEENELAND TODAY

Trikari Leads the Pack, But Victory Isn’t Certain in Competitive Bryan Station

Trikari, the talented 3-year-old turf miler, returns to action this Saturday in the Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland. After his performance in the City of Hope Mile on September 28 at Santa Anita, where he faced older, more experienced rivals for the first time, he was beaten by just 1 1/2 lengths, placing fourth. Though a respectable showing, it shifted his sights from the Breeders’ Cup Mile back to a more familiar field of 3-year-olds.

Saturday's Bryan Station, boasting a $600,000 purse, offers Trikari a chance to shine—but he’ll need to work for it. With 15 entries and a tough post position in 11, his path to victory isn’t straightforward. Historically, horses starting from post 11 in Keeneland turf miles have only won once in 61 attempts. Trikari, who tends to press or stalk the pace, will need quick decision-making from jockey Manny Franco, who’s riding him for the first time.

In the City of Hope, Trikari showed good form, sitting mid-pack and following race leader Johannes’s move into the homestretch. His 98 Beyer Speed Figure was a career best, following a strong win at Colonial Downs. According to trainer Graham Motion, Trikari "got beat by the best miler in the country" but has come out of the race in great shape.

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Brilliant Berti, another top contender, returns from his impressive victory at the $1.5 million Gun Runner at Kentucky Downs. Berti has won four of his last five starts, and trainer Cherie DeVaux notes he’s showing no signs of slowing down. However, DeVaux acknowledges the Bryan Station is no easy contest: “He’s going to have to run one of his best races.”

Several other talented runners add depth to the field. Depiction, also trained by DeVaux, showed impressive closing speed in the Gun Runner and has continued to improve. Another notable competitor, Neat, turned in the fastest final quarter-mile in the Gun Runner, finishing third, while Herchee, blocked by a wall of horses in his last race, showed promising form despite his challenging run. Trainer Helen Pitts believes Keeneland’s course will suit him well.

One intriguing wildcard is Mansa Musa, a sprinter stretching out to a mile. With strong speed figures, he could be a factor, though his pedigree suggests sprinting is his forte.

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BELMONT TODAY

Gun Song Emerges as a Favorite for the Mother Goose Stakes

After narrowly missing a win in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx last month, finishing just a neck behind the formidable Thorpedo Anna, Gun Song has opted for a different path than the high-stakes Breeders' Cup Distaff. Her connections, owner Lee Lewis and trainer Mark Hennig, briefly considered the $2 million Breeders’ Cup race but ultimately chose a more strategic move for the promising 3-year-old. This Saturday, Gun Song will be one of the betting favorites in the Grade 2 Mother Goose Stakes at Aqueduct, competing for a $250,000 purse.

The Mother Goose, now held at Aqueduct, features a field of eight talented 3-year-old fillies and highlights an 11-race card that includes the Grade 3 Forty Niner and Grade 3 Bold Ruler. First post is set for 12:10 p.m., and Gun Song, known for her speed and determination, will likely face stiff competition.

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As one of three daughters of the sire Gun Runner in this race, Gun Song boasts impressive credentials, including a victory in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and the Cathryn Sophia Stakes. In the Cotillion, she led most of the way, holding off all but Thorpedo Anna in a fierce stretch battle. This performance earned her a career-high 93 Beyer Speed Figure, and Hennig hopes to see her continue that form in the Mother Goose.

Tarifa, another strong contender, was a standout during the winter with wins in the Rachel Alexandra and Fair Grounds Oaks. Although she struggled in the Kentucky Oaks, she has shown improvement since her return, placing second in the Audubon Oaks and third in the Cotillion. Trainer Brad Cox is optimistic about her chances: "This will be her third race off the layoff, and I like how she’s doing," Cox said.

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Life Talk, another Gun Runner filly, recently returned from a layoff to finish second in the Seneca Overnight Stakes. Trainer Todd Pletcher noted that Life Talk is showing positive signs after her break: “She already has a mile and an eighth win at Aqueduct, so it should suit her well,” Pletcher said.

Other notable entrants include Chad Brown’s Pretty Ana, who returns to dirt after two turf tries, and Headline Numbers, also trained by Brown, who has shown strong form at Aqueduct. Dorothy’s Dreams, Call Another Play, and Just Music round out this competitive field.

With Gun Song, Tarifa, Life Talk, and others competing in this stakes race, the Mother Goose promises an exciting contest among rising stars in the filly division.

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BREEDERS CUP NEWS

Champion Mare Idiomatic Enters Retirement Following Stellar Career

The racing world bid farewell to one of its brightest stars as Juddmonte Farm's Idiomatic was retired due to left knee lameness, ending hopes of a title defense in next month's Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar.

The five-year-old mare leaves the track with an impressive record of 12 victories from 17 starts and earnings approaching $4 million. Her crowning achievement came in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita, where she demonstrated her trademark tenacity in a memorable stretch battle.

Trained by Brad Cox, Idiomatic's journey from synthetic track specialist to dirt champion showcases her remarkable versatility. After beginning her career at Turfway Park, she evolved into one of the most formidable dirt runners of her generation.

Her 2023 campaign proved particularly impressive, with victories in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes and a commanding 6 1/2-length triumph in the Juddmonte-sponsored Spinster Stakes at Keeneland - a fitting finale to her racing career. Even in defeat, she showed her class, dropping two heart-stopping head decisions at Saratoga.

"She owes us nothing," reflected Cox on the retirement decision. "She was incredibly consistent throughout her career and always brought her best to the track."

The daughter of Curlin retires as a leading contender for the 2023 Eclipse Award as outstanding older female, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and determination that will be remembered for years to come.

Grade 1 Star National Treasure Withdraws from Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Multiple Grade 1 winner National Treasure has been withdrawn from consideration for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar following persistent foot issues, his connections announced Friday.

The four-year-old colt, who distinguished himself this year with prestigious victories in both the Metropolitan Handicap and Pegasus World Cup, has been unable to maintain a consistent training schedule since his narrow second-place finish in September's California Crown at Santa Anita.

"The timing just isn't right," trainer Bob Baffert explained, noting that the colt hasn't recorded a workout since his last race. A planned Saturday breeze at Santa Anita was canceled, effectively ending hopes for a Breeders' Cup appearance.

The withdrawal of National Treasure, who was installed as the early 4-1 favorite, has triggered several changes in the Breeders' Cup lineup. Skippylongstocking, previously cross-entered in the Classic, will now target the Dirt Mile with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle. This move creates an opening for Pyrenees in the Classic field, where he'll be partnered with Brian Hernandez Jr.

The Dirt Mile field, which initially drew 19 pre-entries, is expected to have 14 or fewer starters. Baffert will still be represented in the race by three-year-old Muth, while his other nominee, Fort Bragg, is scheduled to compete at Santa Anita this Sunday instead.

National Treasure's future remains uncertain, with connections yet to decide between continuing his racing career or retiring him to stud duties at Spendthrift Farm. If retired, he concludes his career with four wins from nine starts and earnings exceeding $5.5 million, highlighted by his victory in the 2023 Preakness Stakes.

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