Some of the final Breeders’ Cup odds preps are taking place across the country this Saturday, headlined by the Grade I Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita Park, which carries the final "Win & You're In" bid toward the Breeders' Cup Classic.
My free betting picks for September 27 will discuss that can't-miss race, as well as the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs for Breeders' Cup Classic hopefuls.
Lukas Classic odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Churchill Race 10
- Post time: 5:29 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV
| Post | Horse | Track odds |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willy D's | 6-1 | +600 | +600 |
| 2 | Hit Show | 7-2 | +350 | +350 |
| 3 | Rattle N Roll | 5-1 | +500 | +500 |
| 4 | Prince of Power | 30-1 | +3000 | +3000 |
| 5 | Mystik Dan | 5-2 | +250 | +250 |
| 6 | Disarm | 4-1 | +400 | +400 |
| 7 | Banishing | 3-1 | +300 | +300 |
Odds as of 9-26.
It's a fairly well-matched renewal of the Lukas Classic. I think we'll see a decent pace on with No. 1 Willy D's and Luis Saez sending from the rail, and longshot No. 4 Prince of Power applying pressure, so I'm looking for a closer to grab the win.
No. 6 Disarm (4-1) was wiped out early in a roughly-run renewal of the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga when last seen, so I'm drawing a line through that effort. Prior to that, he was a game third in the Grade I Whitney behind Sierra Leone, who would be odds-on to beat this group.
I love the jockey change to Irad Ortiz Jr. in this spot for Steve Asmussen, as I trust him to avoid a traffic jam with this trouble-prone son of Gun Runner.
Best bet: $20 win 6
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Goodwood Stakes odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Santa Anita Race 9
- Post time: 8:08 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV
| Post | Horse | Track odds | |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaming | 6-1 | +600 | +900 |
| 2 | Ultimate Gamble | 8-1 | +800 | +1000 |
| 3 | Privman | 5-1 | +500 | +900 |
| 4 | First Mission | 8-5 | +160 | +225 |
| 5 | Nevada Beach | 12-1 | +1200 | +1600 |
| 6 | Express Train | 20-1 | +2000 | +2000 |
| 7 | Full Serrano | 2-1 | +200 | +125 |
Odds as of 9-26.
I'm going to fade No. 4 First Mission in the Goodwood off an inexcusable loss in the Grade III Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth last time out, and I'll start by backing No. 7 Full Serrano (2-1) to win.
The defending Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile champion shook off the rust with a flashy allowance win at Del Mar on September 1. He should not be far off a reasonable pace under Juan Hernandez, and has never been worse than second in four stateside starts.
No. 5 Nevada Beach (12-1) caught the eye in a Los Alamitos Derby romp going today's distance when last seen. The Bob Baffert trainee is off to a 2-for-3 start to his career, and Mike Smith picks up the assignment.
No. 6 Express Train (20-1) has not been worse than third in three starts under regular rider Hector Berrios this year, and his 16: 4-6-3 lifetime record at Santa Anita inspires confidence.
Either of these two long shots finishing second behind Full Serrano should trigger a generous exacta payout.
Best bet: $10 exacta 7/5,6 ($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 | TBD |
| Lukas Classic | September 27 | Churchill Downs | TBD |
| Woodward Stakes | September 27 | Belmont at the Big A | 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.
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