Honing in on the Breeders’ Cup

With just over a week remaining until the Breeders’ Cup, the fields for all 13 races are starting to take shape. That means it’s time to get your free bets and free bets online secured for the big event. The Breeders’ Cup is scheduled for October 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The October 30 feature will be the Longines Distaff while the following day will feature the long awaited Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Preps

With many of the “win and you’re in” races already in the books, earlier in October there were no less than eight Grade I “Win And You’re In” events that figure to have major ramifications across all Breeders’ Cup races. The prep schedule looked like this:

Darley Alcibiades S. (Grade 1) $400,000; 2 Year Old Fillies (Keeneland)

The Shadwell Turf Mile S. (Grade 1) $1,000,000; 3 Year Olds And Up 1 Mile on Turf (Keeneland)

Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational S. (Grade 1) $1,000,000; 3 Year Olds And Up 1 1/4 Miles (Belmont)

Flower Bowl Invitational S. (Grade 1) $600,000; 3 Year Olds And Up F&M 1 1/4 Miles Turf (Belmont)

Champagne S. (Grade 1) $500,000; 2 Year Olds 1 Mile (Belmont)

Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (Grade 1) $500,000; 2 Year Olds 1 1/16 Miles (Keeneland)

Frizette S. (Grade 1) $400,000; 2 Year Old Fillies 1 Mile (Belmont), Kelso H. (Grade 2) $400,000; 3 Year Olds And Up 1 Mile (Belmont

First Lady S. (Grade 1) $400,000; 3 Year Olds And Up F&M 1 Mile on Turf (Keeneland)

Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (Grade 1) $300,000; 3 Year Olds And Up 6 Furlongs (Santa Anita).

The Stars

While each race showcased some of the best horses in the world in each respective division, there will be three superstars that figure to draw the most attention barring injury. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is on tract to draw the likes of Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh. After three smashing victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont to secure the Crown, American Pharaoh ran his undefeated streak to eight with a victory in the Grade I Haskell. Unfortunately, he failed to show his best in his last outing at Saratoga where he finished second to Keen Ice in the Travers. He’s training well and looks on target to close out his career with a victory in the Classic.

Standing in his way is the top older horse in the country, Honor Code. Honor Code will tune up in the Grade II Kelso at Belmont as he prepares for his shot at the Classic. Earlier this year, Honor Code captured the Grade I Metropolitan Mile at Belmont and the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga in his last start.

As brilliant as both those equine stars have been, Beholder may be the best horse in training. This outstanding mare is currently 4 for 4 on the season without breaking a sweat, including a devastating 8-length score in the Grade I Pacific Classic against the boys. And it looks like Trainer Richard Mandella has decided she will run in the Classic against the boys.

Best Bets

Historically, Breeders’ Cup races have featured huge pools in the exotics. These pools have often led to big payouts on wagers like trifectas, pick-3s and pick-4s. Best of all, these huge payouts have come with logical horses in the mix. If you have an online race book, you might want to save any free bets online to use on some of these wagers as your free bets could turn to gold.

Best Bet of the Day: Beholder in the Classic. With American Pharaoh and Honor Code both in the race, the price figures to be generous.