Breeders' Cup Best Bets Today: Predictions, Picks for Saturday
Race 3 (Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile): To Win — No. 4 Zozos
Race 3: Pick 3 — 4 | 1,6,9 | 1
Race 6 (Breeders' Cup Mile): To Win — No. 3 Casa Creed
Race 6: Pick 3 — 3,6,12,14 | 4,5,8 | 8
Race 7 (Breeders' Cup Distaff): Pick 3 — 4,5,8 | 8 | 2,3,12
Race 8 (Breeders' Cup Turf): To Win — No. 8 Up To The Mark (BEST BET OF THE DAY)
Race 9 (Breeders' Cup Classic): To Win — No. 2 Zandon
Breeders' Cup 2023 weekend continues on Saturday, as we're back with our Breeders' Cup best bets and predictions today.
Let's not waste any time. Check out all my picks for Saturday's races directly below, plus my full Saturday Breeders' Cup preview for each of the Grade 1 races, ending of course with the $6,000,000-purse Breeders' Cup Classic.
Breeders' Cup Predictions, Picks for Saturday's Races
Race 3 — Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Distance: 1 Mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $1,000,000
Post Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 4 Zozos (6-1) is going to play "catch me if you can," which is to his benefit because, as we saw Friday, a horse needs to be in or close to the lead to win on the dirt. Zozos is three-for-three at the mile distance and has the best early pace figures in the race.
He’s won at four different tracks, so the new scenery shouldn’t be an issue.
Live Contenders Underneath:
No. 3 Cody’s Wish (9-5) is clearly the class of the race. He’s never lost in seven tries at this distance and his only loss this year was when they tried to stretch him out to nine furlongs. His biggest issue will be his running style with the track bias.
Race 4 — Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Distance: 1 1/4 Miles
Surface: Hillside Turf
Purse: $2,000,000
Post Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 6 Inspiral (5-2) hasn’t done much wrong in her career, winning eight of her 12 starts. She comes in on a two-race win streak and has won on four different courses overseas, so the new surroundings shouldn’t be a problem.
Live Contenders Underneath:
No. 1 In Italian (4-1) might be the most consistent horse in the field as she's never missed the board in 13 career starts. Her early running style will have her in the race from the break and the post position is ideal given that running style. If there’s any question about her, it’s the distance.
No. 9 Didia (8-1) was professional off the layoff in her prep for today’s race. Not only did she win, but it was over this turf course, which is something no other horse in this race can say. Since coming to the U.S., she has won all but one start. That said, she will need someone to go with In Italian early to help her late running style.
Race 5 — Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
Distance: 7 Furlongs
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $1,000,000
Post Time: 3:50 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 1 Goodnight Olive (6-5) is the deserving morning line favorite. She’s won six of eight at this distance and boasts the highest Beyer speed figure in the race. While the post draw is not ideal, her tactical speed will allow her to get positioning early.
Live Contenders Underneath:
No. 4 Materya (6-1) was able to upset Goodnight Olive on Derby Day earlier this year. The problem is she hasn’t fired since then. She will get back on a fast track, but has her work cut out for her.
Race 6 — Breeders' Cup Mile
Distance: 1 Mile
Surface: Turf
Purse: $2,000,000
Post Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 3 Casa Creed (8-1) comes into this race in some of the best form of his career. He won his past two starts, both of which were at today’s distance.
Live Contenders Underneath:
No. 6 Mawj (4-1) came over to the States to get a prep in for this spot. She won on the front end and proved that she has enough of a finishing kick to hold off her other foes that day. She is facing the boys today, which she has done before overseas, but never against his caliber.
No. 12 Exhaulted (20-1) has four wins from five turf starts. He also has a perfect four-for-four record at Santa Anita. He will need to take another step forward today, but has continued to improve in each of his five turf starts. So, another step forward is within the realm of possibilities. At the price, he’s one you must include in multi-race wagers.
No. 14 Master of the Seas (7-2) might have the best closing kick in the race. That said, he will need a pace melt down for that closing kick to come into play. Between needing help on the front end, the wide post and the price, I’m looking elsewhere.
Race 7 — Breeders' Cup Distaff
Distance: 1 1/8 Miles
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $2,000,000
Post Time: 5:10 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 5 Adare Manor (4-1) has won five in a row, four of which were here at Santa Anita. She will be in the race from the get-go, but there is other pace in here for her to contend with. Any Baffert trainee has to be taken seriously, especially when they are as sharp as she is coming into today.
Live Contenders Underneath:
No. 4 Idiomatic (5-2) has hit the board in all 11 starts, eight of which were wins. She’s also two-for-two at today’s distance. In addition, she has the highest Beyer speed figure of any horse in the field and has hit triple digits in each of her past four starts.
No. 8 Randomized (6-1) is another speed horse and is coming into this race is the best form of her career. There’s other speed for her to contend with, but this track has favored those who are close early.
Race 8 — Breeders' Cup Turf
Distance: 1 1/2 Miles
Surface: Hillside Turf
Purse: $4,000,000
Post Time: 5:50 p.m. ET, NBC
The Pick: No. 8 Up To The Mark (5-1) is a horse we have been on since Derby weekend. He won his prep race at Keeneland after getting a few months off. He’s proven that he’s ultra-consistent and seems to know exactly when to kick it into high gear.
Live Contenders Underneath:
No. 5 Auguste Rodin (3-1) hasn’t done much wrong in his career with six wins in nine starts. That said, he has two head-scratchers on his resume, so as long as he doesn’t throw another one, he'll be in the mix late.
Race 9 — Breeders' Cup Classic
Distance: 1 1/4 Miles
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $6,000,000
Post Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 2 Zandon (12-1) is always in the mix late. While he hasn’t had an affinity for the winner's circle, his running style fits well here. Jockey Frankie Dettori gets the mount and after spending all winter here, he knows this track well.
Live Contenders Underneath:
No. 3 White Abbario (4-1) had to drop down to allowance company earlier this year to get back to the winner’s circle. That confidence boost has gone a long way and he put up a field-best 111 Beyer speed figure last time out. If he can repeat that effort, he stands to be extremely tough in this spot.
No. 12 Arabian Knight (3-1) is one of the most lightly raced horses in the race. He only has four starts, but has been favored in each of them. He has gate speed to put him into the race early, but will need to ensure he doesn’t get caught wide going into the first turn. Baffert is always dangerous and we aren’t going to let him beat us here.
Best Breeders' Cup Bets, Picks Today
Race 3: To Win — No. 4 Zozos
Race 3: Pick 3 — 4 | 1,6,9 | 1
Race 6: To Win — No. 3 Casa Creed
Race 6: Pick 3 — 3,6,12,14 | 4,5,8 | 8
Race 7: Pick 3 — 4,5,8 | 8 | 2,3,12
Race 8: To Win — No. 8 Up To The Mark (BEST BET OF THE DAY)
Race 9: To Win — No. 2 Zandon
