Breeders Cup Championship Saturday: Santa Anita Picks

Championship Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup is a marquee day on the racing calendar. The defection of some key players have made the day even more competitive.

The event will be held at Santa Anita Park in California.

Championship Saturday Full Card Analysis

Checkout our full card analysis for Future Stars Friday here.

Santa Anita- 1

Post: 10:10 AM PT; $250k Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. going 1 5/8 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 SISKANY (8-5) should be competitive in this spot. We should respect him as he goes out with the combination of Appleby and Buick. This one enters the race in really good form.
• #5 SALESMAN (5-2) combines a race flow edge with various positive signs, including the ability to sit close and top connections.
• #1 TIME FOR TROUBLE (4-1) isn’t without hope. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 KISS TODAY GOODBYE (5-1) looks to be the class of the field.

Selections: 3-5-1-6

Santa Anita- 2

Post: 10:50 AM PT; $250k Twilight Derby going 1 1/8 m on turf; Entries: 13

• #6 WEBSLINGER (3-1) is the top pick. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has proven its ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #11 MONDEGO (10-1) is a price horse and could have a shot in this race. He appears to be the class of the field. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 REINCARNATE (8-1) has early speed and may just be able to spend the balance of the race on the lead. Perhaps he can hold them off late for an upset.
• #12 SILVER KNOTT (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should have a chance late. This one deserves respect as he goes out with the combination of Appleby and Buick.

Selections: 6-11-3-12

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 3

Post: 11:30 AM PT; $1000k Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 CODY’S WISH (9-5) looks best here. He may benefit from a hot pace up front. This one appears to be the class of the field.
• #4 ZOZOS (6-1) may just find that he is out for a morning workout. His path to victory is to get clear, but based on the field drawn here, it’s hard to figure anyone pressing him up there.
• #9 NATIONAL TREASURE (8-1) will be outside of the other speed. If this one tries to claim the outright lead, it could be detrimental to his chances. This one may have to press and pass to get the job done. Others will have to pass regardless.
• #6 SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (12-1) is a price horse and could have a shot in this race. He benefits if the pace starts cooking up front.

Selections: 3-4-9-6

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 4

Post: 12:10 PM PT; $2000k Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf going 1 1/4 m on downhill turf; Entries: 12

• #6 INSPIRAL (5-2) holds the top class figure among the group. This race just seems like it has Euro written all over it, and this appears to be the top contender.
• #2 WARM HEART (3-1) comes into the race in blistering hot form. She is definitely a runner to contend with.
• #1 IN ITALIAN (4-1) may be the best shot for the American contingent. She wins by clearing off. The test will be the distance, but starting downhill could help this runner.
• #11 LUMIERE ROCK (12-1) is an interesting European longshot. Sometimes it’s these 2nd tier Euros that can pop at the Breeders’ Cup.

Selections: 6-2-1-11

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 5

Post: 12:50 PM PT; $1000k PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #1 GOODNIGHT OLIVE (6-5) is the top pick. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #4 MATAREYA (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #7 SOCIETY (5-2) should be competitive in this spot. She has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #9 YUUGIRI (8-1) could be in the perfect draw and spot on the tote board here. This one is surely to be forgotten in the betting market and could provide value.

Selections: 1-4-7-9

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 6

Post: 1:30 PM PT; $2000k FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile presented by PDJF going 1 m on turf; Entries: 14

• #10 SONGLINE (5-2) is hard to get a full read on due to the lack of comparable figures between US and Japanese racing. That being said, the Japanese have proven that they are contenders on the world stage. This runner is one of their most ballyhooed runners into this year’s event.
• #3 CASA CREED (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He looks to be the class of the field and always comes with his best effort.
• #14 MASTER OF THE SEAS (7-2) makes sense on speed figures. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #6 MAWJ (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 10-3-14-6

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 7

Post: 2:10 PM PT; $2000k Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff going 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 11

• #4 IDIOMATIC (5-2) gets the top selection. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #9 CLAIRIERE (4-1) is a closer in a race that appears to have plenty of early foot. She could pace into a positive result here.
• #3 PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS (8-1) came up short last time in the slop but will get fast ground again here. Nice price on a talented 3-year-old who will have to prove it against her elders.
• #6 SEARCH RESULTS (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 4-9-3-6

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 8

Post: 2:50 PM PT; $4000k Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf going 1 1/2 m on downhill turf; Entries: 13

• #9 MOSTAHDAF (5-2) has the top speed numbers and looks really tough in this spot
• #5 AUGUSTE RODIN (3-1) is another foreign shipper who comes into the race with plenty of international buzz.
• #8 UP TO THE MARK (5-1) seems to fit well enough here. This one has races good enough to beat this group, but the Euros look really strong.
• #12 BALLADEER (30-1) is a total pace play. This race seems to lack any legit speed so maybe this one can just run and hold.

Selections: 9-5-8-12

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 9

Post: 3:40 PM PT; $6000k Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic going 1 1/4 m on dirt; Entries: 13

• #6 SAUDI CROWN (12-1) is a price horse and appears to be a major player in this race. He shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 ZANDON (12-1) is a price horse and appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one projects to sit mid-pack and come with one well-timed run.
• #3 WHITE ABARRIO (4-1) is a horse that always seems to bring his best race to the table. He’s frequently flirted with superstardom and sits among the top group in the odds.
• #8 USHBA TESORO (4-1) is the best shot for Japan to claim their first Classic victory based on his form entering the race.

Selections: 6-2-3-8

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 10

Post: 4:25 PM PT; $1000k Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint going 5 f on turf; Entries: 16

• #3 CARAVEL (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #10 MOTORIOUS (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #7 NOBALS (6-1) has been on the improve throughout the year and comes into this event having competed with many of these before.
• #5 LIVE IN THE DREAM (9-2) is a horse that combines brilliant speed with solid stamina. Carrying speed for 5 furlongs doesn’t seem much of a challenge for this one.

Selections: 3-10-7-5

Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita- 11

Post: 5:00 PM PT; $2000k Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #8 ELITE POWER (9-5) is the top pick. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #2 DR. SCHIVEL (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #9 GUNITE (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 HOIST THE GOLD (12-1) is squarely an underneath pick for value. This one would need an almost perfect set of circumstances to win here, but maybe can hold on for a piece late.

Selections: 8-2-9-4

Santa Anita- 12

Post: 5:30 PM PT; $100k Allowance going about 6 1/2 f on downhill turf; Entries: 15

• #7 GEM MINE (7-2) looks very well rounded in this spot and could be tough to beat, but the race does appear wide open.
• #10 MADIHA (8-1) enters the race with a class and stamina edge that could pay dividends.
• #11 LUNAR IMPACT (15-1) is a price horse and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #12 ARINNITI (6-1) comes into the race in really great form.

Selections: 7-10-11-12

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Breeders’ Cup

We will continue to provide extensive coverage of the horse racing world championships in the lead up to the big days including our full card analysis for both Friday and Saturday.