Breeders’ Cup Saturday: Baffert Eyes Fifth Classic Victory with Arabian Knight
The Breeders’ Cup continues on Saturday with the final nine championship races. After carefully reviewing the Breeders’ Cup odds and past performance, here is who we think will win Races 3-11 on the card at Santa Anita:.
Dirt Mile
- Race 3 – Post Time, 2:30 p.m. (ET)
Cody’s Wish (3) makes what is likely the final start of a Hall of Fame career. The 5-year-old is 10-for-15 with a second and fourth thirds lifetime, and 7-for-7 at a mile.
Filly & Mare Turf
- Race 4 – Post Time, 3:10 p.m. (ET)
Morning-line favorite Inspiral (6) was supposed to run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Oct. 21, but showed up in the Breeders’ Cup entries after rain left the Royal Ascot course too soft for her liking. She has never run 1¼ miles, but Warm Heart (2) is 2-for-2 at the distance for trainer Aiden O’Brien and is the choice to win.
Filly & Mare Sprint
- Race 5 – Post Time, 3:50 p.m. (ET)
This looks like a race with zero value in the horse racing odds. Goodnight Olive (1) gets the edge over Society (7), who could be softened up just enough by Eda (3).
Mile
- Race 6 – Post Time, 4:30 p.m. (ET)
This is a difficult race to decipher. Gina Romantica (2) tries the boys and could have the perfect running style to pull the upset. Mawj (6) and Master of the Seas (14) could have something to say about that, but girl power prevails with the fastest last Beyer speed figure in the field.
Distaff
- Race 7 – Post Time, 5:10 p.m. (ET)
Idiomatic (4) has won four in a row — the last two Grade 1s — and can control this race from the start. There are others with early speed, so Idiomatic may have to change tactics. That’s OK.
Turf
- Race 8 – Post Time, 5:50 p.m. (ET)
European shipper Auguste Rodin (5) is 6-for-9 lifetime and loves the distance. Versatile sort can be anywhere jockey Ryan Moore decides is best.
Classic
- Race 9 – Post Time, 6:40 p.m. (ET)
This is a two-speed number folks. Saudi Crown (6) and Arabian Knight (12) are the fastest horses and will have every opportunity to dictate the pace. The jockeys — Florent Geroux on Saudi Crown and Flaven Prat on Arabian Knight — have been down this road before, and could easily turn this into a match race. Arabian Knight has gone the distance, while Saudi Crown may not appreciate the extra furlong. Bet online that Baffert wins his fifth Classic with Arabian Knight.
Turf Sprint
- Race 10 – Post Time, 7:25 p.m. (ET)
This race could be the most difficult on the card. Motorious (10) enjoys the home track advantage over the top contenders and owns the highest Beyer figures.
Sprint
- Race 11 – Post Time, 8 p.m. (ET)
Elite Power (8) is back at his preferred distance and comes with an eye-popping 46.1 workout. Speed Boat Beach (7), though, will be tough to catch on the front end in a race surprisingly void of much early foot. Ahoy matey for a cruise to the BetUS racebook.
Questions Of The Day
Who will win the Breeders’ Cup Classic?
Arabian Knight and Saudi Crown will sit 1-2 or 2-1 all the way around the track with Arabian Knight ultimately giving trainer Bob Baffert his fifth Breeders’ Cup Classic victory.
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What are the top three Breeders' Cup races to bet on?
That depends on who you like! Year after year, though, the Distaff, Turf and Classic are the best.
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