Start now! There’s a whole lot of handicapping to handle on one of the biggest three-day runs of top-flight racing around the world.
Chancer McPatrick. NYRA/Coglianese Photo.
This weekend is jam-packed with Breeders’ Cup WAYI races from around the world
For those who bet horse racing, brace yourselves: 20 Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’’ (WAYI) races at four tracks that include such traditional stakes as the Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland, the Champagne Sgtakes (G1) at Aqueduct, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Longchamp.
The huge stakes schedule kicks off Friday at Aqueduct and opening day at Keeneland, followed by a blockbuster Saturday featuring eight all-fees paid, automatic berths to corresponding Breeders’ Cup races.
On Sunday, it’s the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – one of five WAYI races at the track in Paris offering the winner a spot in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
There are four WAYI races to the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) – the Darley Alcibiades (G1) on Friday, the Frizette (G1) at the Big A and the Oak Leaf (G2) at Santa Anita on Saturday, and the rescheduled Miss Grillo (G2) at the Big A on Sunday.
Three automatic berths to the BC Juvenile (G1) are on the line Saturday in the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct, the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, and the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.
Other than the Miss Grillo, which was canceled Sunday (Sept. 29) due to heavy rain, each of the three races for colts/geldings and fillies awards Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1 to the first five finishers.
A brief look at some of the top races over the weekend:
FRIDAY
The usual fall meet at Belmont Park is at Aqueduct again and starts off with the Futurity (G3) for 2-year-old fillies. Mentee and Gate to Wire give Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher two chances for his fifth win in this WAYI race for the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1).
At Keeneland, Spinaway (G1) winner Immersive tops the field in the 73rd edition of the 1 1/16-mile Darley Alcibiades, and Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) victor Nakatomi is the likely top choice in the 6-furlong Phoenix (G2).
SATURDAY
At the Big A, trainer Chad Brown’s Hopeful (G1) winner Chancer McPatrick, 2-0, and Mo Plex, 3-0, tops a field of 10 in the 1-mile Champagne. In the 1-mile Frizette (G1), Brown-trained Senza Parole makes her second start after a dazzling debut at Saratoga, winning a 6-furlong sprint by 7 ¼ lengths on Aug. 23.
At Keeneland, the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) is the marquee race with Ireland-bred Carl Spackler, winner of the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga, the likely favorite in a field of nine. The winner earns a berth in the BC Mile (Carl Spackler already earned a spot in the Mile with his Fourstardave win).
At Santa Anita, the American Pharoah (G1) could see three Bob Baffert 2-year-olds — Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Gaming, third-place finisher Citizen Bull, and maiden winner Emerald Bay – in the field.
SUNDAY
At Longchamp, the main attraction is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The final field for the 1 ½-mile Arc will be set Thursday (Oct. 3), but trainer Andre Fabre will be looking for his ninth win in one of the world’s most famous races with three likely starters, including Sosie, who is 3-0 at Longchamp.
Other leading contenders include Delius and Look De Vafa. Top Euros City of Troy and Auguste Rodin are not running.
At Keeneland, the elite racing continues with the $600,000 Spinster (G1) for 3-and-up fillies and mares with a BC Distaff berth to the winner and the $350,000 Bourbon Stakes for 2-year-olds with a BC Juvenile berth to the winner.
Among the probables for the 1 1/8-mile Spinster are defending champion Idiomatic, second by a head to Raging Sea in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 23, and Alabama Stakes (G1) runner-up Candied, who won the 2023 Darley Alcibiades.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
