Starting strong at the Breeders’ Cup on Friday was something we wanted to do and delivered.
Three wins in five races have set us up nicely going into Saturday’s nine-race card, highlighted by the $6 million Classic.
Coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on NBCSN, with the Classic being aired at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.
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Race No. 4: Filly and Mare Sprint
Post time: 2:55 p.m. ET
We have a vulnerable favorite in No. 1 Covfefe (2-1), who drew the rail and faces older horses for only the second time in her career. That said, I am looking to beat her with No. 9 Spiced Perfection at 4-1 odds.
Love the jockey (John Velazquez) and trainer (Peter Miller) joining forces on this horse, who can sit right off the pace and track down the leaders late. I am playing Spiced Perfection across the board and using her with Covfefe, No. 4 Come Dancing (5-2) and No. 5 Lady Ninja (10-1) in my exotics.
Picks: 9-4-1-5
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Race No. 5: The Turf Sprint
Post Time: 3:33 p.m. ET, NBCSN
I am going with No. 9 Final Frontier (6-1) to spring the minor upset. Hook him up in your exotic plays with No. 1 Totally Boss (5-1), No. 2 Pure Sensation (5-1), No. 3 Imprimis (8-1), No. 10 Eddie Haskell (9-2) and No. 12 Belvoir Bay at 12-1 odds.
Picks: 9-1-2-3
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Race No. 6: The Dirt Mile
4:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN
This is such a tough race to handicap, but I am going with No. 5 Omaha Beach (8-5) on top. Jockey Mike Smith is aboard for Hall of Famer trainer Richard Mandella and I think Omaha Beach, who missed the Triple Crown races with a breathing issue, is primed for the best performance of his career.
I am playing Omaha Beach on top, with No. 1 Giant Expectations (12-1), No. 2 Improbable (3-1), No. 7 Coal Front (6-1) and No. 9 Diamond Oops (15-1) in my exacta and trifecta wagers.
Picks: 5-9-2-7
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Race No. 7: The Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf
4:54 p.m. ET, NBCSN
I am going with the favorite No. 2 Sistercharlie (8-5), who is the race’s defending champion. She is 3-for-3 on the year and trainer Chad Brown has won this race four times.
I will play her across the board, as well in exactas with No. 1 Iridessa (8-1), No. 3 Fleeting (6-1), No. 7 Vasilika (8-1) and No. 12 Fanny Logan at 15-1 odds.
Picks: 2-1-7-3
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Race No. 8: Sprint
5:36 p.m. ET, NBCSN
This is the most talent-loaded race on the Breeders’ Cup card. Another shaky favorite leads the way in No. 4 Mitole (9-5) and I think he is going to struggle to get the distance. I am taking a shot with No. 6 Shancelot (4-1) in a minor upset.
I am playing him across the board in win, place and show wagering. I will also use Shancelot in my boxed exacta and trifecta plays with Mitole, No. 1 Catalina Cruiser (4-1), No. 5 Engage (15-1) and No. 9 Imperial Hint at 4-1 odds.
Picks: 6-9-1-4
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Race No. 9: The TVG Mile
6:20 p.m. ET, NBCSN
I said the American turf horses were better than their European counterparts before the Breeders’ Cup started and that held true during Friday’s grass races.
I am sticking with that angle here and going with No. 11 Uni (7-2) for my win-place-show wagers. Use Uni and No. 6 Got Stormy (7-2) on top of your exotic plays, with No. 2 Lucullan (12-1), No. 9 Circus Maximus (3-1) and No. 13 Hey Gaman (12-1) underneath.
Picks: 11-6-9-2
Race No. 10: The Longines Distaff
7 p.m. ET, NBCSN
I am going with No. 4 Midnight Bisou (6-5), who would likely lock up Horse of the Year honors with a victory. Jockey Mike Smith and trainer Steve Asmussen guide the favorite, who boasts a perfect 7-for-7 record this year and has won 3 of 4 tries at Santa Anita. Not bad for an $80,000 purchase.
I am playing her across the board, then in boxed exactas and trifectas with No. 1 Paradise Woods (5-1), No. 5 Dunbar Road (6-1) and No. 12 Serengeti Empress at 12-1 odds.
Picks: 4-5-12-1
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Race No. 11: The Longines Turf
7:40 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Another candidate for Horse of the Year is favorite No. 9 Bricks and Mortar (9-5), who we like to bring home the win in this very tough race.
I am boxing Bricks and Mortar with No. 5 Anthony Van Dyck (3-1), No. 10 Old Persian (4-1), No. 11 Arklow (12-1) and No. 12 Channel Maker (10-1) in my exotic wagers.
Picks: 9-11-12-5
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Race No. 12: The Breeders' Cup Classic
8:44 p.m. ET, NBC
Unlike past editions of this $6 million showcase, this year’s Classic is loaded with very good – but not great – talent and that makes it a wide-open affair in my opinion.
Knowing that, I am going with No. 11 Code of Honor (4-1) to win the premier event. He has been one of my favorite horses this season and I love his chances in the Classic.
Play Code of Honor across the board, then use him in your exotics with No. 6 Elate (6-1), No. 8 McKinzie (3-1), No. 9 Mongolian Groom (12-1) and No. 10 Vino Rosso at 4-1 odds.
Picks: 11-10-6-8
