Horse Racing Odds: Breeder’s Cup Prep Races

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Breeders’ Cup Prep: Key Stakes Races at Keeneland, Aqueduct & Woodbine 

As the Breeders’ Cup draws closer, racing fans search for horse racing odds to make a splash at Del Mar next month. 

While not officially part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, this week’s stakes races offer critical insight into potential contenders. With crucial races at Keeneland, Aqueduct, and Woodbine, as well as high-profile state-bred races at Laurel Park and Charles Town, bettors, especially those interested in offtrack betting, will want to take note of these events to sharpen their picks ahead of November’s action.

Sycamore Stakes (G3) at Keeneland: Turf Specialists Set to Battle

The Sycamore Stakes (G3), held over 1 1/2 miles on the Keeneland turf, promises an intriguing match-up of seasoned turf runners. 

Among the notable entries is 4-year-old gelding Highway Robber, trained by Brian Lynch, who finished second in the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) at Kentucky Downs. This marked a strong performance, but he’ll be challenged once again by Tawny Port, a 5-year-old millionaire trained by Christophe Clement, who placed third in the same Kentucky Turf Cup.

The race also features defending Sycamore winner Bold Act, a 4-year-old Godolphin homebred trained by Charlie Appleby. Bold Act kicked off his 2024 campaign with a win in the Dubai City of Gold (G2) before returning to the U.S., where he placed third in the Elkhorn Stakes (G2) in April at Keeneland. This colt has yet to win in three subsequent starts this year but remains a strong contender on familiar turf.

Additional competition includes Verstappen, a 10-1 longshot trained by Brendan Walsh, and Ohana Honor, trained by Claude McGaughey, who enters off a solid fourth-place finish in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2). For fans of Saratoga betting, this race provides a valuable preview of horses likely to compete in upcoming turf marathons.

Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland: Rematch of Top Fillies

Another major event at Keeneland is the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1), a race for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/8 miles on the turf. A rematch between Grayosh headlines this year’s edition and She Feels Pretty, who finished first and second, respectively, in the Lake Placid Stakes (G2) at Saratoga in August. With only a neck separating these two in their previous encounter, anticipation is high for their next clash.

Chad Brown’s Grayosh has been in excellent form this season and will aim to give her trainer a record fifth victory in the QE II. 

Brown will also send Oversubscribed, the runner-up in the Lake George Stakes (G3), who could pose a threat. She Feels Pretty, trained by Cherie DeVaux, will look to turn the tables after her close defeat in the Lake Placid. DeVaux has added blinkers to sharpen her focus for this pivotal race, and with John Velazquez aboard, she remains a major contender.

Another attractive filly in the field is Soprano, trained by George Boughey, who was a strong third in the Matron Stakes (G1) earlier this year. With top jockey Billy Loughnane in the irons, Soprano could spring a surprise in this competitive field.

Sands Point Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct: Clément Looks for Another Win

At Aqueduct, the Sands Point Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies will be another race to watch. Trainer Christophe Clément, who has been on a hot streak with 11 stakes wins in the past five weeks, sends out Style Points, a filly who was part of a dead-heat victory in the Virginia Oaks. This talented runner will seek to add to Clément’s growing tally of wins in this race.

Spaliday and Shade of Pale are standing in her way, both trained by Chad Brown. Brown has an outstanding record in the Sands Point, having trained five previous winners of this race. Spaliday returns after a fourth-place finish in Lake Placid, while Shade of Pale comes off a maiden win at Aqueduct and will look to make an impact in her graded stakes debut.

Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3) at Woodbine: Synthetic Specialists Take Center Stage

Over at Woodbine, the Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3) will highlight fillies and mares aged three and up, running six furlongs on the synthetic track. The favorite for the race is Ticker Tape Home, a 4-year-old filly trained by Mark Casse. Coming off a victory in the seven-furlong Seaway Stakes (G3) on Woodbine’s Tapeta surface, she’s demonstrated an affinity for synthetic tracks and will be tough to beat.

Among the competitions is Love to Shop, trained by Kevin Attard, who finished second in her most recent race, an allowance contest at Woodbine. Also in the mix is Royal Spa, trained by Rodolphe Brisset, who looks to rebound after a fifth-place finish in the Chicago Stakes (G3).

Maryland Million Classic at Laurel Park: Feeling Woozy the Morning Line Favorite

Maryland breds will be in the spotlight at Laurel Park with the Maryland Million Classic, a 1 1/8-mile race offering a purse of $300,000. The morning-line favorite is Feeling Woozy, trained by Hamilton Smith. Though his 9-2 odds suggest he’s not a dominant favorite, Feeling Woozy comes into the race with solid form, having hit the board in his last three starts after dropping in class.

Other top contenders include Market Maven, who is 6-1 after a recent fifth-place effort in the Alphabet Soup Handicap, and Mosler Time, a recent allowance winner. For bettors looking for value, Brilliant Ice, second in an allowance race at Laurel Park last month, may offer an appealing longshot play.

Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders Classic at Charles Town: Coastal Mission Defends Title

The Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders Classic at Charles Town is rounding out the weekend, which features a $300,000 purse for West Virginia-breds. Last year’s winner, Coastal Mission, returns to defend his title after winning the Parx Dirt Mile. Coastal Mission, a 5-year-old gelding by Great Notion, is the clear standout, with career earnings nearing $1 million.

He will face challenges from the up-and-coming Jubawithatwist, who has won eight of his 11 starts at Charles Town, and Muad’dib, who enters off a second-place finish in an allowance race. These state-bred races are known for producing surprises, so bettors should pay close attention to the odds leading up to post time.