Santa Anita Returns: Breeders’ Cup Prep Saturday at Host Site

Santa Anita Park is back after the summer meeting at Del Mar. The fall meet at Santa Anita will usher in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup at the track in November.

The Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup is a prestigious and highly anticipated event in horse racing, often referred to as the “World Championships” of thoroughbred racing. This year the event returns to Santa Anita which hosted the inaugural event back in 1984.

The Breeders’ Cup is a one of a kind event for horses, connections, fans, and bettors for a number of reasons.

Gathering of the Best

The Breeders’ Cup brings together the best thoroughbred racehorses from around the world. Horses that compete in the Breeders’ Cup are typically the top contenders in their respective divisions, making it a showcase of talent and skill.

High Stakes

The Breeders’ Cup offers some of the richest purses in horse racing, with millions of dollars in prize money at stake. This attracts top owners, trainers, and jockeys who are eager to compete for a share of the significant financial rewards.

Variety of Races

The event consists of 14 championship races, each with its own unique characteristics and distances, ensuring that there is something for every type of horse and racing fan. This variety includes races on dirt and turf, sprint and route distances, and races for different age groups.

International Appeal

The Breeders’ Cup has a strong international presence, with horses from around the world participating. This global representation adds to its prestige and makes it a truly international racing spectacle.

Championship Titles

Winning a Breeders’ Cup race often solidifies a horse’s legacy and can significantly impact its future breeding career. Horses that perform well at the Breeders’ Cup can earn championship Eclipse awards for their various divisions.

Betting and Wagering

The Breeders’ Cup attracts a large volume of betting and wagering. The pools are astronomical and the deep fields makes hitting winners more challenging than on the average day. The good news for bettors is that it means more opportunities for life-changing scores.

Shop Your Betting Dollar

The Breeders’ Cup is a marquee event for online wagering platforms to hook people into the sport of horse racing. Before placing a bet, bettors are wise to shop around at the various horse racing books to find the best promotions to make their wagering dollar go further.

Full Card Analysis

Race #8 on the card is the Awesome Again. The winner of the race will get an automatic bid into the Breeders’ Cup.

Santa Anita Park – Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM PT; $63k Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 f on turf; Entries: 11

• #2 DOUBLE JAB (5-2) gets our top selection. With Rispoli in the irons for the Mathis barn, expect a strong performance from this consistent runner.
• #1 TAPATIO LEO (3-1) is a competitive option with the highest overall power rating. Trained by Miller and ridden by Hernandez, he demands respect.
• #3 GEEZER (8-1) is another contender worth considering. With solid recent form, he’s poised for a competitive run.
• #4 UNCLE JOHN (15-1) is a price horse to watch, guided by Eurton and Fresu, and could benefit from the right race setup.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 3 – 4

Santa Anita Park – Race 2

Post: 1:30 PM PT; $24k Claiming, 1 m on dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 SIPPIN N KISSIN (2-1) is a major player in this race, boasting the top overall power rating. Expect a well-timed late run from this runner.
• #6 KENTUCKY BOURBON (6-1) is our top pick, likely having a lot to do in the lane under the guidance of the Thomas barn and Franko-Angeles.
• #2 CARPE BELLUM (5-2) could be a dangerous front-end threat, having shown the ability to handle these conditions.
• #1 PARK CITY (5-2) is another major player, comfortable with the distance and in solid recent form.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 2 – 1

Santa Anita Park – Race 3

Post: 2:00 PM PT; $61k Maiden Special Weight, 6 f on turf; Entries: 7

• #4 NORTH EAST STAR (7-5) stands out in this field, having been consistently solid in recent starts.
• #1 THIRTY CARATS (7-2) is a front-end threat that should be respected, and she’s been in solid form.
• #7 SPAIN MOONLIGHT (8-5) is a contender for the minor placings, trained by D’Amato and ridden by Hernandez.
• #2 INTERPLAY (5-1) makes her debut and could be in the mix for minor placings.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 7 – 2

Santa Anita Park – Race 4

Post: 2:30 PM PT; $61k Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 TEJON PASS (9-5) is our top selection, expected to improve and comfortable with the distance.
• #3 MAXIMUM CAPACITY (5-1) should also improve off the first start and is a major player with good form.
• #2 WYNSTOCK (5-2) should be competitive, making sense on speed figures and trained by Baffert.
• #1 MR. LEASURE (5-1) is likely to be in the mix for minor placings, having proven his ability to handle these conditions.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 2 – 1

Santa Anita Park – Race 5

Post: 3:05 PM PT; $63k Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 m on turf; Entries: 9

• #2 IMPACT WARRIOR (8-5) is the top pick, in solid recent form and ready to make a well-timed run.
• #3 LAKOTA SPIRIT (4-1) should be competitive, comfortable with the distance and displaying solid form.
• #9 SHOCKING GREY (15-1) is a price horse to consider, making sense on speed figures and capable of handling these conditions.
• #4 CORNELIA FORT (12-1) is another price horse with solid early pace figures, positioned to be competitive.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 9 – 4

Santa Anita Park – Race 6

Post: 3:37 PM PT; $200k Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. presented by Estrella Jalisco, 6 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 DR. SCHIVEL (9-5) looks best here and makes sense on speed figures, poised for a mid-pack run.
• #3 ARABIAN LION (5-2) is a major player going out for the Baffert barn and ridden by Maldonado.
• #4 FORT BRAGG (6-1) is competitive, with tactical speed and the ability to sit just off the leaders.
• #8 SPEED BOAT BEACH (12-1) is a price horse with races good enough to challenge this group, potentially getting loose on the front end.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 4 – 8

Santa Anita Park – Race 7

Post: 4:09 PM PT; $61k Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 11

• #2 LADY LITHESOME (8-1) is our top selection, expected to improve off her first start and capable of handling these conditions.
• #4 ASADA FRIES (4-1) is a competitive option with races good enough to challenge this field.
• #7 PETIT FILET (6-1) should also improve and is a major player in this race.
• #5 KITZKATY (8-1) should be competitive, entering the race in good form.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 7 – 5

Santa Anita Park – Race 8

Post: 4:41 PM PT; $300k Awesome Again S., 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 SLOW DOWN ANDY (5-2) is our top pick, fitting well in this race with tactical speed and a stalking style.
• #9 STILLETO BOY (6-1) should not have trouble with the distance and might benefit from a fast pace.
• #2 DEFUNDED (2-1) is a major player, consistently solid in recent starts and capable of handling these conditions.
• #1 SENOR BUSCADOR (5-1) should be competitive, fitting well in this field.

Selections: 3 – 9 – 2 – 1

Santa Anita Park – Race 9

Post: 5:13 PM PT; $200k Eddie D S., about 6 1/2 f on downhill turf; Entries: 11

• #2 BRAN (5-2) is our top pick, not expected to have trouble with the distance and trained by Sadler with Hernandez aboard.
• #6 LANE WAY (3-1) should be competitive, offering solid early pace figures.
• #1 BALNIKHOV (6-1) is a contender for minor placings, making sense on speed figures.
• #5 NOBLE REFLECTION (6-1) could be a threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 1 – 5

Santa Anita Park – Race 10

Post: 5:45 PM PT; $200k City of Hope Mile S., 1 m on turf; Entries: 9

• #4 HONG KONG HARRY (5-2) gets our top selection, expected to make a strong late move.
• #7 TWIST (3-1) is a competitive option with races good enough to challenge this group.
• #8 CATHKIN PEAK (4-1) is another contender, capable of handling these conditions.
• #9 IRIDEO (8-1) is worth considering for minor placings, fitting well in this field.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 8 – 9

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select cards throughout the week. This week’s analysis will feature the cards listed below.

Friday

• Belmont at the Big A featuring the Grade 3 Noble Damsel

Saturday

• Churchill Downs featuring the Ack Ack (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In)
• Belmont at the Big A featuring the Vosburgh (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In)
• Santa Anita featuring the Awesome Again (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In)

Sunday

• Belmont at the Big A featuring the Miss Grillo and Pilgrim (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re Ins)