Breeders’ Cup 2017: Finding the Right Singles

Everyone will be looking to play the Pick 4s, 5s, and 6s during the Breeders’ Cup, and for good reason: the pools are absolutely massive. Even a sequence involving multiple favorites winning can end up paying big bucks. The key to the multi-race bet is finding the right single and then spreading around in the other races to give you as much coverage as your bankroll can afford. Here are a few horses to consider singling, as well as who you should play against at short prices.

Logical Singles

Bolt d’Oro – He’s the most likely winner of any Breeders’ Cup race, so the problem is that everyone will be looking to single him. However, he’s going to be very hard to go against. He towers over his competition in this spot and already possesses two wins over the track, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. A play against this horse is a case where you’re hoping that he doesn’t show up with his normal race. If he does put in his normal effort, though, it will be lights out for his competition.

Unique Bella – After her comeback performance in the Grade 3 L.A. Woman, several people are fired up about her chances. There’s no doubting that she would have been a heavy favorite for the Kentucky Oaks before an injury forced her to miss extended time. She’s back in a big way now, though, and will be an imposing force in the Filly and Mare Sprint. Bolt d’Oro will be a bit more popular than her at the window, but she’ll be the top choice of many. This is a single that you can count on, as her talent level is extremely high.

Creative Singles

World Approval – With a few top-notch European horses aiming for this race, World Approval may go off as the third choice in what will undoubtedly be a tough field. He could end up being major value, as there isn’t a better miler in the country right now. This is a race where several people could be spreading, so it would be a major win if you single World Approval and he comes home a winner. Since cutting back to a mile, he has turned into a beast.

Favorites to Beat

Lady Aurelia – It’s a little painful to put her as a favorite to beat, as I have loved this horse for two years, but this race is coming up extremely tough and she hasn’t made a start in this country for quite a while. Also, there looks to be a ton of speed signed on for this one, which could really hurt her chances. There’s no doubting that her class level is off the charts, but I’d look to take a small shot against her based on how the race sets up.