The 2026 Kentucky Derby is still far off, but the road to Louisville begins with the Grade III, $300,000 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday afternoon. The race should also impact the Breeders' Cup odds for the Juvenile in a major way.
My free betting picks dissect this key race for two-year-olds, plus the Grade I, $1 million Woodbine Mile for Breeders' Cup Mile hopefuls on September 13.
Iroquois Stakes odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Churchill Race 8
- Post time: 4:26 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV
| Post | Horse | Track odds |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nothing Personal | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 2 | Sometime | 15-1 | +1500 | +1500 |
| 3 | No More Cents | 10-1 | +1000 | +1000 |
| 4 | So Special | 10-1 | +1000 | +1000 |
| 5 | Spice Runner | 7-2 | +350 | +350 |
| 6 | Shake and Rattle | 20-1 | +2000 | +2000 |
| 7 | Comport | 6-5 | +120 | +120 |
| 8 | Vost | 12-1 | +1200 | +1200 |
| 9 | Nine Ball | 12-1 | +1200 | +1200 |
| 10 | Maximus Prime | 12-1 | +1200 | +1200 |
Odds as of 9-12.
Although there are some interesting alternatives, the Iroquois Stakes clearly goes through No. 7 Comport (6-5, morning-line favorite).
Comport has won two of his first three races, including a convincing score over No. 5 Spice Runner (7-2) in the Ellis Park Juvenile when last seen. He should get the ideal stalking trip once again under Tyler Gaffalione.
No. 1 Nothing Personal (8-1) caught the eye in a debut score, going seven panels at Colonial Downs. That well-rated romp puts him right in the hunt on Saturday.
No. 8 Vost (12-1) overcame a poor beginning from the rail draw to win in last-to-first fashion at Ellis, going seven-eighths. A smoother start could be in order getting away from post one.
No. 9 Nine Ball (12-1) had a good closing kick, going 5 1/2-furlongs to win at first asking and may improve with distance.
I'll also use Spice Runner based on speed figures, despite his two losses to Comport already.
Best bet: $1 exacta box 1/7/8, $3 exacta 7/1,5,8,9, $1 exacta 1,8/7 ($20)
New Users
$500 No Sweat First Bet! Claim Now
See FanDuel T&Cs
FanDuel Racing offer available only in AR, CA, DE, ID, FL, MN, MT, NH, NM, ND, OR, RI, SD, WA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ and present in select states. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
New Users
Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets! Claim Now
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Woodbine Mile odds, prediction, and best bet
- Race: Woodbine Race 9
- Post time: 5:39 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV
| Post | Horse | Track odds | |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley House | 10-1 | +1000 | +1400 |
| 2 | Notable Speech | 8-5 | +160 | -152 |
| 3 | One Stripe | 5-2 | +250 | +900 |
| 4 | Hunt Master | 20-1 | +2000 | +5000 |
| 5 | Wyoming Bill | 15-1 | +1500 | +1600 |
| 6 | My Boy Prince | 10-1 | +1000 | +900 |
| 7 | Nap Town | 20-1 | +2000 | +4000 |
| 8 | Win for the Money | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 9 | Gas Me Up | 5-1 | +500 | +900 |
Odds as of 9-12.
No. 2 Notable Speech (8-5) may go off at odds-on to get his first win of the season, and it's easy to see why.
The third-place finisher in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile has kept strong company overseas, splitting the field in three different Group I events. He took a step forward and ran second by a head to the well-regarded Diego Velazquez in a Group I last time out.
William Buick and Charlie Appleby teamed up to win this race in both 2023 and 2024.
No. 8 Win for the Money (8-1) is the defending Woodbine Mile champ, and put forth a strong showing at Saratoga this summer by running third in the Grade III Kelso and the Grade I Fourstardave.
Best bet: $15 exacta 2/8, $5 exacta 8/2 ($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 | TBD |
| Goodwood Stakes* | September 27 | Santa Anita Park | TBD |
| Lukas Classic | September 27 | Churchill Downs | TBD |
*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.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
