We're in the homestretch when it comes to shaping the Breeders’ Cup odds, with some of the final "Win & You're In" preps taking place on Saturday, October 4.
My free betting picks highlight the Grade I Champagne Stakes for Breeders' Cup Juvenile prospects at Belmont at The Big A, and the Grade I Coolmore Turf Mile for Breeders' Cup Mile hopefuls at Keeneland.
Champagne Stakes odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Belmont at The Big A Race 7
- Post time: 3:20 p.m. ET
- TV: FS1
| Post | Horse | Track odds |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtain Call | 6-1 | +600 | +600 |
| 2 | Stradale | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 3 | Universe | 12-1 | +1200 | +1200 |
| 4 | Aye Eye | 15-1 | +1500 | +1500 |
| 5 | Just Asap | 12-1 | +1200 | +1200 |
| 6 | It's Our Time | EVEN | +100 | +100 |
| 7 | Stickupwithoutagun | 30-1 | +3000 | +3000 |
| 8 | Napoleon Solo | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 9 | Talkin | 5-1 | +500 | +500 |
Odds as of 10-3.
It's hard to side against No. 6 It's Our Time (EVEN, morning-line favorite) following his eye-popping 17 3/4-length victory at first asking at Saratoga.
And while it's never guaranteed that he would have run a faster speed figure if asked by jockey Luis Saez, it's a logical assumption that he has more to offer on Saturday. Even if he doesn't, the gap on paper between him and the rest of the competition is wide.
The increase in distance should not hinder him, either, based on pedigree.
No. 1 Curtain Call (6-1) gets a tepid nod for second. He won for fun in the slop two-back before getting buried by the well-regarded Ted Noffey in the Hopeful Stakes. The follow-up works offer encouragement.
No. 2 Stradale (8-1) was caught late by No. 9 Talkin (5-1) after setting a fast pace last time out. It's easy to see either or both factoring into the exotics based on speed figures.
Best bet: $8 exacta 6/1, $6 exacta 6/2,9 ($20)
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Coolmore Turf Mile odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Keeneland Race 10
- Post time: 5:48 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV, CNBC
| Post | Horse | Track odds | |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donegal Momentum | 12-1 | +1200 | +1200 |
| 2 | Quatrocento | 15-1 | +1500 | +1500 |
| 3 | Howard Wolowitz | 6-1 | +600 | +600 |
| 4 | Diego Velazquez | 7-2 | +350 | +350 |
| 5 | Woodshauna | 5-1 | +500 | +500 |
| 6 | Mercante | 20-1 | +2000 | +2000 |
| 7 | Epic Ride | 20-1 | +2000 | +2000 |
| 8 | Program Trading | 9-2 | +450 | +450 |
| 9 | Rhetorical | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 10 | Brilliant Berti | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 11 | Beach Gold | 15-1 | +1500 | +1500 |
| 12 | Jonquil | 30-1 | +3000 | +3000 |
Odds as of 10-3.
Two top-notch European runners in No. 4 Diego Velazquez (7-2, morning-line favorite) and No. 5 Woodshauna (5-1) are sent out in this $1.25 million race, and I give the edge to the former.
Diego Velazquez misfired in his season opener at Royal Ascot, but rebounded with back-to-back group victories. That includes the Group 1 Prix Jacques La Marois at Deauville over 10 others, including classy next-out winner Notable Speech, in August.
The speed figures he's capable of running make him the one to beat under Frankie Dettori, who has multiple tactical options on this Aidan O'Brien trainee.
Woodshauna loves to come rolling from the clouds, and took a Group 1 sprint in France two-back. I think the stretchout in distance will help, and Tyler Gaffalione getting a leg-up is encouraging.
Long-shot players could do worse than No. 12 Jonquil (30-1), the third and final out-of-towner in the field. He won a one-mile Group 2 at Goodwood when last seen and is Group 1-placed. Dylan Davis sees fit to ride.
No. 1 Donegal Momentum (12-1) and No. 8 Program Trading (9-2) were separated a neck in the Bernard Baruch at Saratoga last time out. The former brings dangerous early speed to the party under John Velazquez, while the latter makes only his second start since June 2024 under Flavien Prat.
Best bet: $3 exacta box 4/5, $2 exacta 4/1,5,8,12, $1 exacta 5/1,4,8,12, $2 win 12 ($20)
Road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic
| Race | Date | Track | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Cup* | February 22 | King Abdulaziz Racetrack | Forever Young |
| February Stakes* | February 23 | Tokyo | Costa Nova |
| Dubai World Cup* | April 5 | Meydan | Hit Show |
| Kentucky Derby | May 3 | Churchill Downs | Sovereignty |
| Preakness Stakes | May 17 | Pimlico | Journalism |
| Belmont Stakes | June 7 | Saratoga | Sovereignty |
| Metropolitan Handicap | June 7 | Saratoga | Raging Torrent |
| Stephen Foster Stakes* | June 28 | Churchill Downs | Mindframe |
| Haskell Stakes* | July 19 | Monmouth Park | Journalism |
| Whitney Stakes* | August 2 | Saratoga | Sierra Leone |
| Juddmonte International Stakes (turf)* | August 20 | York | Ombudsman |
| Travers Stakes | August 23 | Saratoga | Sovereignty |
| Pacific Classic* | August 30 | Del Mar | Fierceness |
| Jockey Club Gold Cup* | August 31 | Saratoga | Antiquarian |
| Pennsylvania Derby | September 20 | Parx | Baeza |
| Goodwood Stakes* | September 27 | Santa Anita Park | Nevada Beach |
| Lukas Classic | September 27 | Churchill Downs | Mystik Dan |
| Woodward Stakes | September 27 | Belmont at the Big A | Locked |
*denotes "Win & You're In" race for Breeders' Cup Classic.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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