866.88xpress (866.889.7737)national gambling support line 800.522.4700 november 3 & november 4, 2017...

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National Gambling Support Line 800.522.4700 NOVEMBER 3 & NOVEMBER 4, 2017 • DEL MAR 866.88XPRESS (866.889.7737) Arrogate and Mike Smith (outside) pass California Chrome and Victor Espinoza to win the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

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  • National Gambling Support Line 800.522.4700

    NOVEMBER 3 & NOVEMBER 4, 2017 • DEL MAR

    866.88XPRESS(866.889.7737)

    Arrogate and Mike Smith (outside) pass California Chrome and Victor Espinoza to win the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

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    *Restrictions apply. See website for details. National gambling support line 800.522.4700.

    866.88XPRESS (866.889.7737)

    Fellow Racing Fan,

    Welcome to the 14th fantastic edition of Xpressbet’s Free Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide!

    For the first time ever, the Breeders’ Cup will be held ‘Where the Turf Meets the Surf’ at Del Mar Racetrack, north of San Diego, California. The Pacific Ocean, located just off the corner of the grandstand, will provide an exquisite backdrop for a gathering of some of the best horses in the world.

    Friday’s Distaff and Saturday’s Classic promise to be memorable main events. The former figures to match Del Mar’s Clement Hirsch winner STELLAR WIND and Personal Ensign heroine FOREVER UNBRIDLED against accomplished sophomore fillies, including Kentucky Oaks winner ABEL TASMAN, Beldame star ELATE, Cotillion winner IT TIZ WELL and Zenyatta victor PARADISE WOODS. The latter race is expected to produce a showdown between defending Classic champ ARROGATE, multiple Grade 1 accumulator GUN RUNNER, Del Mar’s Pacific Classic hero COLLECTED and Travers and PA Derby winner WEST COAST.

    Of course, those are just 2 out of 13 rich, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup races worth $26.5 million in purses. Horseplayers annually anticipate Breeders’ Cup events and supporting races as outstanding wagering opportunities. This year will be no exception.

    Xpressbet is pleased to present this free Wager Guide to horseplayers as an aid toward mutuel success Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4. Inside you will find Analysis, Main Contenders, Value Plays and $100 Wagering Strategies from top handicappers, writers and broadcasters. Also included are oodles of useful Breeders’ Cup Stats & Trends and ‘Know This’ nuggets you won’t find anywhere else.

    Return to Xpressbet.com for free daily online Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide updates beginning Tuesday, Oct. 31 and revised selections based on scratches, post-position draws, weather, etc.

    If you already have an Xpressbet account then you know it’s the best way to watch and wager on great racing from around the world online, by phone and via mobile device. If you’re not already an Xpressbet account holder, here’s the good news: You’re eligible to pick your Sign Up Bonus, up to $500. Visit Xpressbet.com or call 1-866-88XPRESS for complete Sign Up Bonus details and to open an account.

    Xpressbet hopes your 2017 Breeders’ Cup experience is fruitful and we look forward to serving as your online wagering provider for Breeders’ Cup and into the future.

    Sincerely,Ron LuniewskiPresidentXpressbet

  • Bonus Stats & TrendsHere are some additional useful Breeders’ Cup tidbits.

    JUVENILE FILLIESJuvenile Fillies favorites are 79% in the money all-time, the most consistent of any division, and a whopping 88% of them have finished in the superfecta. Juvenile Fillies favorites also have a55% win rate, easily tops among any division. Note: 3 of last 4 winners were bombs – CHAMPAGNE ROOM (2016) 33-1, Take Charge Brandi (2014) 61-1 and Ria Antonia (2013) 32-1.

    JUVENILETwo Juvenile winners exited maiden-breaking victories in their most recent prep: New Year’s Day (2013) and Action This Day (2003). Overall, 10 Juvenile winners have been undefeated, most recently Nyquist (2015).

    TURF3 fillies have won the Turf, including Found (2015) at age 3 as well as 4-year-olds Pebbles (1985) and Miss Alleged (1991). No horse over the age of 5 has ever won the Turf. Sadler’s Wells and Galileo both have sired a record 4 winners of the Turf.

    BC BOBAfter starting 0-12 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Bob Baffert has now won the race 3 consecutive years with three-year olds Bayern (2014), American Pharoah (2015) and ARROGATE (2016). He also has won 3 Breeders’ Cup races the past 2 years with horses laid off since August at Saratoga – American Pharoah and ARROGATE in the Classic, as well as DREFONG (2016) in the Sprint.

    OVERDUETrainers John Sadler (0-39) and Christophe Clement (0-32) have had the most career Breeders’ Cup starters without a victory. Jockey Jamie Spencer(0-19) holds the most glaring goose-egg among jockeys having the most BC mounts without a win.

    SING US A SONGUnbridled’s Song (1995) won the Juvenile, and also has sired 5 subsequent BC race winners – Unbridled Elaine (Distaff 2001), Midshipman (Juvenile 2008), Unrivaled Belle (Distaff 2010), Liam’s Map (Dirt Mile 2015) and ARROGATE (Classic 2016).

    BC Wins by Active Jockeys Wins Jockey 25 Mike Smith 13 John Velazquez 12 Frankie Dettori 11 Gary Stevens 10 Corey Nakatani 8 Ryan Moore 7 Julien Leparoux 7 Javier Castellano 5 Kent Desormeaux 5 Cornelio Velasquez 5 Edgar Prado 5 Rafael Bejarano 5 Joel Rosario

    BC Wins by Active Trainers Wins Trainer 20 D. Wayne Lukas 14 Bob Baffert 11 Aidan O’Brien 10 Bill Mott 9 Shug McGaughey 9 Todd Pletcher 9 Richard Mandella 8 Chad Brown 7 Sir Michael Stoute 6 Neil Drysdale 5 Steve Asmussen 5 Doug O’Neill

    Repeat Winners Dirt Mile: GoldencentsDistaff: Bayakoa, Royal Delta, *BeholderFilly & Mare Turf: *Ouija BoardSprint: Midnight LuteTurf Sprint: MizdirectionTurf: High Chaparral, ConduitFilly & Mare Sprint: Groupie DollMile: Goldikova (3-time winner), *Da Hoss, Lure, Miesque, Wise DanClassic: Tiznow*Won in non-successive years.

  • EXACTA BOX: ($1 Wager) 2 horse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 3 horse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 4 horse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 5 horse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20 6 horse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30 7 horse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $42 8 horse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $56

    EXACTA WHEEL: ($1 Wager)One Horse with All 6 horse field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 7 horse field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 8 horse field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7 9 horse field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8 10 horse field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9

    TRIFECTA BOX: ($.50 Wager) 3 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3 4 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 5 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30 6 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60 7 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $105 8 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $168

    TRIFECTA WHEEL: ($.50 Wager)One Horse with All with All (Example: 1/All/All or All/1/All or All/All/1) 7 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15 8 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21 9 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28 10 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36

    One Horse with Two Horses with All (Example: 1/2,3/All or 2,3/1/All or 1/All/2,3 or

    2,3/All/1 or All/1/2,3 or All/2,3/1) 7 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 8 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 9 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7 10 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8

    TRIFECTA KEY: ($.50 Wager) 1 Horse with 3 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4/ 2, 3, 4) 1 Horse with 4 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5/ 2, 3, 4, 5) 1 Horse with 5 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) 1 Horse with 6 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) 1 Horse with 7 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

    SUPERFECTA BOX: ($.10 Wager) 4 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 .40 5 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 6 Horse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36

    SUPERFECTA WHEEL: ($.10 Wager)One Horse with All with All with All (Example: 1/All/All/All or All/1/All/All or All/All/1/All or All/ All/ All/1) 7 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 8 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21 9 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $33 .60 10 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50 .40

    One Horse with Two Horses with All with All (Example: 1/2,3/All/All or 2,3/1/All/All or 1/All/All/ 2,3 or 2,3/All/All/1 or All/All/1/ 2,3 or All/All/2,3/ 1) 7 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4 8 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 9 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8 .40 10 Horse Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11 .20

    SUPERFECTA KEY: ($.10 Wager) 1 Horse with 3 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .60 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4/2, 3, 4/2, 3, 4) 1 Horse with 4 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 .40 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5/2, 3, 4, 5/2, 3, 4, 5) 1 Horse with 5 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6/2, 3, 4, 5, 6/2, 3, 4, 5, 6) 1 Horse with 6 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) 1 Horse with 7 others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

    Exotic Wager ChartBreeders’ Cup exotic wagers usually produce hefty payoffs.

    Use this handy Exotic Wager Chart to plan your attack.

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    10 MILLIONPOINTS

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  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3,

    $1.5 Million Pick 4

    FRID

    AYRace6 Breeders’ Cup

    Juvenile Fillies Turf$1 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDSDivision Debut: 2008Favorites: Win 11% In-The-Money 44%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $17.33Exacta: $153.95Trifecta: $2,145.38Superfecta: $24,449.02

    2016 Juv. Fillies Turf Highlight: In a field of 14, New Money Honey led a 1-2 finish for New York invaders at Santa Anita.

    KNOW THIS: Chad Brown has won this race 3 times in 9 years, and has been second twice, all with Miss Grillo Stakes winners. That New York stakes race has produced 4 wins out of 6 years the Juvenile Fillies Turf has been in California.

    North American-based fillies have won 7 of 9 renewals, but there has been at least one foreign-bred in the trifecta the past 5 years.

    Only 1 winner has been under 6-1 odds – winning favorite LADY ELI (2014) at 2-1. European-based favorites are 5: 0-1-1.

    No filly has won wire-to-wire.

    No California-based filly has finished in the exacta – best finish was Colonel Joan (2013) in third.

    EUROPE VERSUS BROWNby Millie Ball XBTV.com

    Millie’s Picks

    1. HAPPILY 2. RUSHING FALL 3. SEPTEMBER 4. CAPLA TEMPTRESS

    ANALYSIS: While still relatively new to the BC program, introduced in 2008, the Juvenile Fillies Turf has been won each and every year by a horse coming from off the pace. It is also one of the few divisions run on turf that the Euros can’t claim domination. That title goes to East Coast trainer Chad Brown, who has enjoyed success 3 times. However, the UK and Ireland will maintain that they have never sent their upper-echelon, and that changes this year with Aidan O’Brien shipping HAPPILY to Del Mar.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: HAPPILY is a multiple Group 1 winner that beat the boys in the Jean-Luc Lagardere. She simply outstayed them over a mile on soft ground at Chantilly and cornered beautifully around the bend. She is a full-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Gleneagles, who revelled the firm going, and has the benefit of seasoning. RUSHING FALL won on pure ability when mowing down her competition in the Grade 3 Jessamine. It was only her 2nd career start and it showed as she was late to switch leads and wandered about in the stretch. SEPTEMBER’s turn of foot to get her to the line to win the Chesham at Royal Ascot was not only impressive but noble, given the task and she was incredibly unlucky not to get up in time in the Group 1 Fillies Mile on October 13, at Newmarket. Her sire was a Derby winner in Japan & her mother a dual Oaks winner in Europe, making her the best bred filly in the field.

    VALUE PLAYS: This race has been the long term objective for CAPLA TEMPTRESS. In her most recent effort in Woodbine’s Grade 1 Natalma, she relaxed early and showed an explosive turf of foot (closing in :22.4) to win with her ears pricked. She has since been transferred to Hall of Famer Bill Mott. No harm in that!

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $20 Win: HAPPILY ($20)

    • $20 Exacta: HAPPILY over SEPTEMBER, CAPLA TEMPTRESS, RUSHING FALL, ULTIMA D ($80)

    Post 2:25 pm Pacific

    1 Mile Turf

    FINISHSTART

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3,

    Pick 4

    FRID

    AYRace7 Las Vegas

    Dirt Mile$1 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDSDivision Debut: 2007Favorites: Win 20% In-The-Money 30%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $22.78Exacta: $230.82Trifecta: $2,480.16Superfecta: $17,057.30

    2016 Dirt Mile Highlight:Tamarkuz rallied for an 11-1 upset under all-time leading Breeders’ Cup jockey Mike Smith.

    KNOW THIS: This race has had three straight odds-on favorites: Goldencents (2014) won at 3-5 odds; Liam’s Map (2015) won at 1-2 and Dortmund (2016) finished 4th at 3-5 odds.

    Out of 10 winners, 4 were based primarily in California, 3 in New York and 3 in Kentucky. The Woodward, Kelso, Santa Anita Sprint Championship and Awesome Again each have produced 2 of 10 Dirt Mile winners.

    This historically has been a “rebounders” race with 8 of 10 winners entering the race following a prep defeat.

    Three-year-olds have accounted for one-third of all in-the-money placings, including last year’s 2-3 finishers. Sophs Caleb’s Posse (2010) and Goldencents (2013) won.

    ANALYSIS: A reasonable case could be made that we have the strongest field in the history of this race, which began on a very rainy Friday at Monmouth Park in 2007. There will be Grade 1 winners and millionaires all about the starting gate, so this should be quite competitive. MOR SPIRIT’s Met Mile win was one of the most impressive races run anywhere in 2017. If he comes back to that 117 Beyer, he wins. If not and he does not show as much early speed, SHARP AZTECA, fast enough to battle for the lead in last winter’s 7-furlong, one-turn Malibu, may have a serious tactical edge as the speed of the speed.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: MOR SPIRIT has run a flat mile three times and won them all easily by more than 16-lengths. SHARP AZTECA is a one-mile specialist, with five wins, a second and a third at the distance. His last five races in America have produced Beyer figures of 106 or better each time. PRACTICAL JOKE loves those one-turn races, going 5-for-5. He is 0-for-5 at two turns and this will be a two-turn Mile. The 3-year-old also just may not be fast enough to compete with his elders. ACCELERATE loves Del Mar, with three wins and a third in four starts, but his races in the San Diego and Pacific Classic were the two best of his life, making him a potential bounce candidate. CUPID only has one race that is good enough to win this and that was in the mile and one-quarter Gold Cup at Santa Anita, but the price will be right and if there is a pace meltdown, this could be the horse going best at the finish.

    VALUE PLAYS: IRON FIST is very likely to be overlooked and his trainer, Steve Asmussen, has a penchant for having horses ready to run big in this race.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $100 Exacta: SHARP AZTECA over ACCELERATE ($100)

    FOLLOW THE BIG BEYERSby Dick Jerardi Philadelphia Daily News & Daily Racing Form

    Dick’s Picks

    1. SHARP AZTECA 2. ACCELERATE 3. MOR SPIRIT 4. CUPID

    Post 3:05 pm Pacific

    1 Mile

    FINISHSTART

    Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide STATS & TRENDS and KNOW THIS information provided by

    JEREMY PLONK (Horseplayernow.com).

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta, Double, Pick 3

    FRID

    AYRace8 Breeders’ Cup

    Juvenile Turf$1 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDSDivision Debut: 2007Favorites: Win 10% In-The-Money 70%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $15.04Exacta: $181.92Trifecta: $1,756.14Superfecta: $17,728.56

    2016 Juvenile Turf Highlight: OSCAR PERFORMANCE overcame a difficult post to lead a 13-11-1-14 finish. Improbable outside-post successes triggered a hefty $10,682 superfecta.

    KNOW THIS: Last year, OSCAR PERFORMANCE became the first New York-prepped horse to win this race.

    Good Samaritan’s third-place finish a year ago marked the seventh straight losing favorite, dating back to Pounce (2009).

    Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s ledger includes 3 wins: Wrote (2011), George Vancouver (2012), Hit It a Bomb (2015) and 3 seconds.

    No California-based horse has finished first or second.

    Nine different final preps have produced 10 winners with only the Dewhurst at Newmarket doubling up - George Vancouver (2012), Outstrip (2013).

    JUVY TURF GOES THROUGH EUROPEby Jeff Siegel XBTV.com

    Jeff’s Picks

    1. JAMES GARFIELD 2. MASAR 3. CATHOLIC BOY 4. UNTAMED DOMAIN

    ANALYSIS: As I mentioned in the original Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide that came out last Friday, European shippers have won six of the 10 prior editions of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Unfortunately, my original top two picks - the European-based U S Navy Flag and Nelson - will not be participating, as the former opted for the Juvenile on the dirt while the latter was left at home. Still, the Brits will be well represented by the progressive JAMES GARFIELD, who was originally highlighted in my pre-draw analysis as a “value play.” He drew favorably (Post #7) and with some of the best Europeans staying home, he becomes a major threat to win the whole thing.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: JAMES GARFIELD has been impressive during his gallops at Del Mar and appears ready to replicate his best English form, including his victory last out in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. The only concern remains the Del Mar turf course’s short run in and the stretch out to a mile, but the colt’s youthful trainer, George Scott, has had this race in mind for months and is confident the tight turns and added distance won’t prove insurmountable. MASAR deserves strong consideration and has a more impressive resume than JAMES GARFIELD. He may not have cared for the soft ground when he checked in third in the Group 1 Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly. Both JAMES GARFIELD and MASAR have earned triple-digit Racing Post ratings and both will race with Lasix at Del Mar.

    VALUE PLAYS: A pair of North American-based runners, CATHOLIC BOY and UNTAMED DOMAIN, are stakes winners with the ability to turn it on late and should be dangerous with good racing luck. Both are worthy of inclusion on your tickets.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $40 Win: JAMES GARFIELD ($40)

    • $5 Exacta Box: JAMES GARFIELD , MASAR, CATHOLIC BOY ($30)

    • $5 Exacta Box: JAMES GARFIELD, MASAR, UNTAMED DOMAIN ($30)

    Post 3:50 pm Pacific

    1 Mile Turf

    FINISHSTART

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Distaff/Classic

    Double,Super High 5

    FRID

    AYRace9 Longines

    Distaff$2 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1984Favorites: Win 42% In-The-Money 58%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $18.21Exacta: $122.45Trifecta: $1,484.48Superfecta: $6,285.57

    2016 Distaff Highlight: Beholder and previously unbeaten Songbird hit the wire a nose apart with the former earning a fitting capper to her legendary career. Beholder matched Goldikova’s mark as the only 3-time champion in Breeders’ Cup history.

    KNOW THIS:3-year-olds own 10 overall wins in this race. Just 3 of those wins came with fillies in initial starts against older - Dance Smartly (1991), Ashado (2004) and Untapable (2014).

    A 3-year-old has been in the exacta in each of the last 7 years.

    Keeneland’s Spinster has produced a first or second-place finisher in 15 of the 25 years both races have been on dirt.

    Royal Delta (2012) was the only wire-to-wire winner in the last 13.

    Once dominated by chalk, favorites are just 4-for-12 since 2005, led by Zenyatta (2008), Royal Delta (2011 & 2012) and Untapable (2014).

    AN AGE-OLD QUESTIONby Richard Migliore XBTV.com

    1. ELATE 2. ABEL TASMAN 3. FOREVER UNBRIDLED 4. PARADISE WOODS

    ANALYSIS: This is a very strong edition of the Distaff. Very tough older mares like FOREVER UNBRIDLED and STELLAR WIND will meet several vastly improving 3-year-old fillies: ABEL TASMAN has worked sensationally since a bad-trip loss in the Cotillion at Parx; ELATE has been improving all year and her victory over a suspect field in the Beldame at Belmont Park was sensational; PARADISE WOODS possesses the most natural speed and that’s always dangerous.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: STELLAR WIND is taking a different tact this year in her approach to the Distaff by training up to the race instead of having a prep. Perhaps, at five years old, she may have lost a step. FOREVER UNBRIDLED also is lightly raced this year, but was terrific at Saratoga running down multiple Grade 1 winner, Songbird. Very little separated ABEL TASMAN and ELATE in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga, but it’s ELATE who seems to have taken a bigger step forward since that effort.

    VALUE PLAYS: PARADISE WOODS is not among the top three, but Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella’s expertise counts heavily. She is likely the pacesetter and, if allowed to relax early, could make everyone else pay.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $40 Win: ELATE ($40)

    • $10 Exacta Key Box: ELATE with ABEL TASMAN, FOREVER UNBRIDLED and PARADISE WOODS ($60).

    Richie’s Picks

    Post 4:35 pm Pacific

    1 1/8 Miles

    FINISHSTART

    Close ShavesA total of 21 Breeders’ Cup races have been decided by a nose,

    including the 2016 Distaff between Beholder and Songbird.But the closest finish was the 2003 Turf when High Chaparral

    and Johar finished in a dead-heat.

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race4 14 Hands Winery

    Juvenile Fillies$2 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1984Favorites: Win 55% In-The-Money 79%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $18.43Exacta: $217.57Trifecta: $2,781.62Superfecta: $22,191.35

    2016 Juvenile Fillies Highlight: CHAMPAGNE ROOM stunned at 33-1 odds to give trainer Peter Eurton his first BC victory.

    KNOW THIS:This race boasts 6 winners at 30-1 or more, most of any Breeders’ Cup division. Overall, there have been 23 upsets at odds of 30-1 or more in Breeders’ Cup history.

    9 of the last 12 winners employed a speed (7 fillies) or pressing (2 fillies) style.

    Eight undefeated fillies have won, most recently Songbird (2015).

    D. Wayne Lukas’ 6 victories tie for the most by a trainer in any single Breeders’ Cup division (Aidan O’Brien has 6 Turf wins).

    The Frizette at Belmont Park leads all final preps for this race with 10 wins, but only 1 of those occurred in the 12 Breeders’ Cups held in California - Ria Antonia (2013) via disqualification.

    A FAVORITE YOU CAN TRUSTby Brian Nadeau Xpressbet.com

    Brian’s Picks

    1. MOONSHINE MEMORIES 2. HEAVENLY LOVE 3. SEPARATIONOFPOWERS 4. PIEDI BIANCHI

    ANALYSIS: The first Breeders’ Cup ever to be held at Del Mar would seemingly give California-based entrants a big advantage. But it appears even more so in the Juvenile Fillies, as the undefeated MOONSHINE MEMORIES is 2-for-2 over the local strip. Her main rivals SEPARATIONOFPOWERS and HEAVENLY LOVE have never been over the track. It may not be as easy as that once the gates open, but that’s a big edge, especially when you’re talking about a filly that going in holds all the aces.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: MOONSHINE MEMORIES is not only undefeated in three starts, but she’s also a two-time Grade 1 winner and has shown she can rate. Most importantly, she has won at two turns, which SEPARATIONOFPOWERS has yet to even try, though she did bounce back with authority winning the one-turn Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont Park. The real danger is more likely HEAVENLY LOVE, who looked nothing short of stunning winning the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland going two turns, is bred to be a star and is just scratching the surface of her untapped potential.

    VALUE PLAYS: The three gals mentioned above figure to dominate the betting, so if you’re looking in a different direction, you’ll find value aplenty. ALLURING STAR probably doesn’t want to go this far, but she is trained by Bob Baffert and gave MOONSHINE MEMORIES a brief scare in the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita, which was her first start against winners and beyond six furlongs. PIEDI BIANCHI is another who will close, and she was beaten just a neck by ALLURING STAR in the Chandelier, though she’s probably best used in a supporting role.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $100 Exacta: MOONSHINE MEMORIES over HEAVENLY LOVE ($100)

    Post 12:00 pm Pacific

    1 1/16 Miles

    FINISHSTART

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3,

    $1 Million Pick 4

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race5 Breeders’ Cup

    Turf Sprint$1 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 2008Favorites: Win 44% In-The-Money 67%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $21.02Exacta: $193.14Trifecta: $2,331.93Superfecta: $21,200.20

    2016 Turf Sprint Highlight:8-year-old Obviously became the second-oldest Breeders’ Cup champion ever. Calidoscopio (2012) won the Marathon at 9-years-old.

    KNOW THIS:California-based horses won in 5 of the 6 years this race was held at Santa Anita. Cal-based runners have swept the exacta 3 times.

    The favorite has finished in the exacta in all 5 California editions, including Obviously last year.

    Five of 9 winners were age 5 or older. Bobby’s Kitten (2014) is the only 3-year-old to win this race.

    Obviously is the only foreign-bred to have won the Turf Sprint. No horse campaigned exclusively overseas has been in the money.

    Europeans have been kept out of the Breeders’ Cup winner’s circle only four times in the event’s 33-year history: 1989, 1992, 1998 and most recently at Monmouth in 2007.

    SHORT, BUT SWEETby Richard Migliore XBTV.com

    Richie’s Picks

    1. LADY AURELIA 2. PURE SENSATION 3. DISCO PARTNER 4. MARSHA

    ANALYSIS: With the Turf Sprint being run at five furlongs due to the configuration of Del Mar – as opposed to the six and one-half furlongs on the Santa Anita downhill course – it becomes a very different race. Closers and horses turning back in distance may have had an edge over the Arcadia, CA, layout, but true speed horses will excel at five furlongs.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: LADY AURELIA is a superior sprinter winning stakes at Keeneland (United States), Ascot (Great Britain) and Deauville (France). She usually breaks fast and is in the first flight of horses. PURE SENSATION benefits most from the distance change, though was third in this race last year down the hill at Santa Anita. Trainer Christophe Clement has publicly stated that PURE SENSATION possesses the most natural speed of any horse he’s ever trained. The other Clement trainee DISCO PARTNER is a closer that holds the world record for six furlongs on the turf. Five furlongs may be a bit short for him. MARSHA nosed out LADY AURELIA in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August, but may be at a disadvantage on American soil.

    VALUE PLAYS: PURE SENSATION may not get the respect he deserves and could be somewhat overlooked in the wagering.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $40 Win: LADY AURELIA ($40)

    • $20 Exacta Part-Wheel: LADY AURELIA over PURE SENSATION, DISCO PARTNER, MARSHA ($60)

    Post 12:37 pm Pacific

    5 Furlongs Turf

    FINISH

    START

    Fours and FivesPost position number four has 36 all-time Breeders’ Cup victories,

    most of any starting slot. Posts 2 and 5 each boast 31 victories, while the rail (Post 1) owns 29.

    Five horses share the record of five career Breeders’ Cup appearances: Better Talk Now, California Flag, Kona Gold,

    Obviously and Perfect Drift. All but Perfect Drift won a BC race.

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race6 Breeders’ Cup

    Filly & Mare Sprint$1 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 2007Favorites: Win 30% In-The-Money 60%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $13.39Exacta: $138.38Trifecta: $1,582.86Superfecta: $10,745.04

    2016 F & M Sprint Highlight:Locally based FINEST CITY - the first winner of this race to turn back in distance from a prep at over one mile - upset the field at 8-1 odds for 27-year-old trainer Ian Kruljac.

    KNOW THIS:Belmont’s Gallant Bloom has produced two-thirds of the trifecta in each of the past two years, including 1-2 finishers in 2015.

    A 3-year-old has never won the Filly & Mare Sprint. UNIQUE BELLA tries to become the first.

    Pacemakers are 10: 0-1-1. La Verdad (2015) led and finished second at Keeneland.

    5 of 10 winners - between 2009 and 2013 - prepped in Keeneland’s Thoroughbred Club of America.

    Defending champs are 6: 1-2-0 with the outstanding Groupie Doll (2013) the only repeater. This year, FINEST CITY attempts to join her.

    LINE IN THE SANDby Brian Nadeau Xpressbet.com

    Brian’s Picks

    Post 1:14 pm Pacific

    7 Furlongs

    FINISH

    START

    1. CURLIN’S APPROVAL 2. UNIQUE BELLA 3. SKYE DIAMONDS 4. BY THE MOON

    ANALYSIS: The Filly & Mare Sprint has been run 10 times since its inception in 2007, and in all 10 runnings the victor has been at least 4 years old, which is noteworthy this year, as the 3-year-old UNIQUE BELLA figures a stiff favorite. Her hurdles are not insignificant, as not only is she looking to buck history, but she’ll also need to do it off just one race since March. While her resume is gaudy, she’s really no faster on paper than several viable and older alternatives. Hence, the line appears in the sand: Do you take the bait, single UNIQUE BELLA and move on, or do you side with history (and a much better price) and look elsewhere?

    MAIN CONTENDERS: History or not, UNIQUE BELLA is a deserving favorite, as she enters 5-for-6 lifetime and has won those by a combined 32 ¼-lengths, while displaying pure brilliance, especially around one turn. But contention runs deep, as BY THE MOON, CURLIN’S APPROVAL, defending champion FINEST CITY, FINLEY’SLUCKYCHARM, PAULASSILVERLINING and SKYE DIAMONDS have all displayed the firepower to post a mild surprise on their best day. That’s six legitimate challengers to the top choice. All of a sudden, taking that short price on the chalk doesn’t seem that enticing.

    VALUE PLAYS: The beauty of having a heavy favorite means value will lie with basically everyone else in the field, though CURLIN’S APPROVAL and her 4-for-8 record at 7-furlongs and SKYE DIAMONDS’ 2-for-2 local record, as well as a stalking gear in a race that looks loaded with speed, both stand out. The former could get completely overlooked and be in the 15-1 range, while the latter, who hasn’t started since August (which was the plan all along), could be the forgotten face and drift to 10-1 or so.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $20 Win and Place: CURLIN’S APPROVAL ($40)

    • $10 Exacta Box: CURLIN’S APPROVAL, SKYE DIAMONDS and UNIQUE BELLA ($60)

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3,

    $2 Million Pick 6

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race7 Breeders’ Cup

    Filly & Mare Turf$2 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1999Favorites: Win 22% In-The-Money 78%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $19.89Exacta: $155.58Trifecta: $1,499.54Superfecta: $10,446.90

    2016 Filly & Mare Turf Highlight: QUEEN’S TRUST became Sir Michael Stoute’s third Filly & Mare Turf winner when she out-bobbed favorite LADY ELI by a nose.

    KNOW THIS:In the last 5 editions, trainer Chad Brown has 3 wins, a second and a third-place finish. The last time he was off the board was in 2011.

    Only 2 winners of this race have come in wire-to-wire fashion.

    Great Britain-bred runners have won this race 8 times, including QUEEN’S TRUST last year. Foreign-bred runners have accounted for 11 of the last 18 possible trifecta placings.

    California-prepped runners are 0-for-40 with just 4 in-the-money finishes, including last year’s third by AVENGE.

    Four 3-year-olds have won this race, all Europeans, including QUEEN’S TRUST last year.

    DISTANCE FAVORS LADY ELIby Millie Ball XBTV.com

    Millie’s Picks

    1. LADY ELI 2. WUHEIDA 3. WAR FLAG 4. DACITA

    ANALYSIS: The top three finishers from last year’s Filly & Mare Turf return, at a new distance of 1 ⅛-miles this year, due to Del Mar’s unique turf configuration. Sir Michael Stoute and Chad Brown have had a stranglehold on this division, divvying up the last five editions. With 11 of the fillies and mares expected to run owning recent Grade/Group 1 victories, it appears to be one of the strongest renewals in BC history. Last year’s heroine QUEEN’S TRUST freaked on firm going at Santa Anita but she is not in nearly as good form this year. Last year’s runner-up LADY ELI is far more consistent and the cut-back in distance appears much more in her favor. 2016 third-place finisher AVENGE exited the Breeders’ Cup with a sickness and spent six weeks at Alamo Pintado’s Equine clinic. She finally appears to be back to her best.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: LADY ELI can boast Grade 1 wins at age 2, 3, 4 and 5 and is arguably in the form of her life. She enjoys a firm course, as is evidenced by her impeccable So. Cal. record (2 wins in 3 starts). She does not need to be placed as far back as she was in last year’s edition and it will take an exceptionally good filly to beat her. I had originally touted RHODODENDRON, but her Post Position (#14) is a huge deterrent. WUHEIDA’s campaign has been interrupted with minor physical issues, but when she’s right, she’s on par with the best fillies & mares in Europe. She looked very impressive in a light spin over the Del Mar turf course on Tuesday. Her trainer, Charlie Appleby, won with his only previous Breeders’ Cup starter, and scored at a 27% clip in Europe this season.

    VALUE PLAYS: WAR FLAG beat the boys off an 11-month layoff in her first start in the US. She has progressed with every race and beat a strong field in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont Park.One can’t ignore DACITA’s consistency, as she is 15-for-20 in the Exacta. She caught my eye while galloping at Del Mar.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $40 Win: LADY ELI ($40)

    • $15 Exacta Part-Wheel: LADY ELI over DACITA, WUHEIDA, WAR FLAG ($60)

    Post 2:00 pm Pacific

    1 1/8 Mile Turf

    FINISH

    START

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race8

    Sprint$1.5 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1984Favorites: Win 24% In-The-Money 45%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $20.66Exacta: $281.82Trifecta: $2,738.67Superfecta: $32,792.10

    2016 Sprint Highlight:Trainer Bob Baffert saddled a record-padding fifth Sprint winner when 3-year-old DREFONG scored.

    KNOW THIS:The last 4 winners attempting to defend titles have struggled to a 4: 0-1-0 mark. Big Drama (2011), Amazombie (2012) and Trinniberg (2013) were off the board. Secret Circle (2014) was runner-up.

    Every winner since 2001 was making his first career attempt at the Sprint.

    Horses racing in the top 4 positions after opening half-miles have swept the last 3 exactas, including a 1-2 duel throughout by DREFONG and Masochistic last year.

    Nine sophomores have won, including DREFONG a year ago, though 4-year-olds lead the way with 14 all-time wins.

    Artax in 1999 remains the only Vosburgh winner to add the Sprint in the same season.

    ANALYSIS: What we see personally often clouds our judgment. I hope that is not the case with IMPERIAL HINT, but I have only seen one sprint performance at Parx that compares with his incredibly easy win on Sept. 4. That would be Smarty Jones in the second start of his life as a 2-year-old in 2003. IMPERIAL HINT is a tiny horse with a giant motor. Not quite sure how he will adapt to California speed, but, other than that obvious concern, this colt has everything else. This pace could be scorching, even by Sprint standards, with defending champ, DREFONG, in the starting gate alongside TAKAFUL and IMPERIAL HINT.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: DREFONG comes into this race exactly the same as last year, off a late August Grade 1 win at Saratoga where he caught a race with no other speed and buried the opposition. Other than the first start of his career when he was off poorly and his first start this year when he ducked in and lost jockey Mike Smith, this colt has been perfect, winning his six races by more than 26-lengths, a huge margin in sprints. IMPERIAL HINT has won five straight by a combined 23-lengths and, unlike some others, has the proven ability to sit off the pace and still come with his best run. ROY H would almost certainly be a perfect 5-for-5 this year if DREFONG hadn’t gotten loose and impeded him in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby. AMERICAN PASTIME came east and ran the best race of his career in the Gallant Bob on Pennsylvania Derby Day at Parx. TAKAFUL is a very difficult horse to train and it is unclear how he will handle the cross-country journey, but this colt’s talent is unquestioned.

    VALUE PLAYS: If they go too fast too soon, AMERICAN PASTIME is the most logical closer to get there.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $60 Exacta: IMPERIAL HINT over DREFONG ($60)

    • $40 Exacta: IMPERIAL HINT over AMERICAN PASTIME ($40)

    TAKE THE HINTby Dick Jerardi Philadelphia Daily News & Daily Racing Form

    Dick’s Picks

    1. IMPERIAL HINT 2. DREFONG 3. AMERICAN PASTIME 4. TAKAFUL

    Post 2:37 pm Pacific

    6 Furlongs

    FINISH

    STARTBreeders’ Cup

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  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double, Pick 3,

    $3 Million Pick 4

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race9 Breeders’ Cup

    Mile$2 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1984Favorites: Win 33% In-The-Money 48%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $21.31Exacta: $306.99Trifecta: $3,416.50Superfecta: $35,546.36

    2016 Mile Highlight: Tourist’s 13-1 upset provided Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott with his first Mile win in 20 tries.

    KNOW THIS:American-based horses have won 5 of the last 6 and have accounted for 13 of 18 trifecta placings.

    Nine fillies/mares have won, the most of any open BC division. Tepin (2015) is most recent.

    The Woodbine Mile has produced a top 3 finisher in 9 of the last 10 years, including 3 winners.

    5 of the last 7 winners have been age 5 or older.

    Singletary (2004) was the last California-based winner.

    3 of the last 4 winners raced at the Keeneland Fall Meet. That track’s Shadwell Mile leads all final preps with 6 victories.

    Horses prepped in North America have won 20 times. European final preps have led to 13 wins.

    ANALYSIS: As the late trainer, Woody Stephens, once said, “There is only one way to win a race and 20,000 ways to lose them.” So, Lady Luck may have a giant influence on the outcome of the Breeders’ Cup Mile. By their nature, turf races are fraught with peril. In a bulky field of 14 runners, the horse that can avoid the expected traffic has the best chance. We do know that the riders of MIDNIGHT STORM and HEART TO HEART will be sending their mounts from the inside in an expected early tussle. But what happens from the far turn to the wire looks to be a matter of racing luck.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: Can ROLY POLY win from the 12 Post? Sure. The past performances even say it’s likely, given her strong European form and the formidable combination of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. RIBCHESTER is another foreigner with crackerjack running lines, but an arduous trip and a short two-week turnaround may be disadvantageous. WORLD APPROVAL has drawn perfectly (Post #5) and is the best of the North Americans. He’s the ‘now’ horse off victories in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile and Grade 2 Fourstardave.

    VALUE PLAYS: Using Lasix for the first time, SUEDOIS ran a monstrous number in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. Unlike ROLY POLY, SUEDOIS did not win a Group 1 race in Europe before coming to the States. So maybe it was the Lasix that moved him up, or maybe he has simply improved. Whatever the race, his effort in the Shadwell puts him the discussion. It’s difficult to make a strong case for the other 10 entrants. But again, an advantageous sort may take an outsider who can command a clean trip.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $50 Win and Place: ROLY POLY ($100)

    ENTER A BIT OF LUCKby Bob Neumeier NBC Sports

    Bob’s Picks

    1. ROLY POLY 2. WORLD APPROVAL 3. RIBCHESTER 4. SUEDOIS

    Post 3:19 pm Pacific

    1 Mile Turf

    FINISHSTART

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta, Double, Pick 3

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race10 Sentient Jet

    Juvenile$2 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1984Favorites: Win 33% In-The-Money 67%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $16.61Exacta: $170.29Trifecta: $1,206.34Superfecta: $11,499.20

    2016 Juvenile Highlight:Classic Empire outfought favored Not This Time by a neck to give trainer Mark Casse his first Breeders’ Cup dirt win – he trained 2 turf winners in 2015 (Tepin & Catch a Glimpse).

    KNOW THIS:Favorites have lost 4 in a row and 5 of the last 6, dating back to Shanghai Bobby’s (2012) score at 1.30-to-1. Chalk has been in the exacta 9 of the last 10 years.

    Single-digit odds starters have comprised at least two-thirds of the trifecta each year since 1997, including all 3 slots last year.

    Each of the last 5 pacesetters has finished off the board.

    California-based horses have won 3 of the last 4 - New Year’s Day (2013), Texas Red (2014) and Nyquist (2015).

    Six times the winner was making only his third career start.

    GOOD AS GOLD?by Bob Neumeier NBC Sports

    Bob’s Picks

    1. BOLT D’ORO 2. SOLOMINI 3. FIRENZE FIRE 4. GOOD MAGIC

    ANALYSIS: To survive in a difficult environment, horseplayers and sports gamblers must think outside the box to succeed on a regular basis. Selecting BOLT D’ORO in the Juvenile is a no-brainer, a Captain Obvious selection. A 3-for-3 winning son of the white-hot stallion Medaglia d’Oro, he looks unbeatable on paper. His figure in the Grade 1 Frontrunner at Santa Anita on September 30 would dwarf most Triple Crown candidates as 3-year-olds, but this freak is a babe-in-the-woods. A few months ago, ARROGATE was thought to be invincible, except... you know the rest. If you fancy this obvious favorite, my betting advice is to parlay him in fancy exotics to improve your value. But 3-5 odds in the win pool? Maybe.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: BOLT D’ORO will be a ‘single’ on many horizontal tickets. If 3-year-olds can improve or regress overnight, then 2-year-olds can look like a jigsaw puzzle in the final analysis. SOLOMINI has the look of a green, inexperienced talent, oozing with potential. Trained by a chap named Bob Baffert, owned by the Zayat Stable, can this possibly be American Pharoah redux? East coast threats include the 1-2 finishers of the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, FIRENZE FIRE and GOOD MAGIC. As for FREE DROP BILLY? Not on my dime, thank you.

    VALUE PLAYS: In the win pool, almost any horse other than BOLT D’ORO should offer betting value. Remember that FIRENZE FIRE is undefeated on a dry track. GOOD MAGIC is a son of Curlin, whose progeny seem to be more effective with age and distance. His first dam is Glinda the Good, a highlight for fans of the ageless classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Throw SOLOMINI into the mix.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $80 Exacta: BOLT D’ORO over SOLOMINI ($80)

    • $20 Exacta: SOLOMINI over BOLT D’DORO ($20)

    Post 3:58 pm Pacific

    1 1/16 Miles

    FINISHSTART

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Double

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race11 Longines

    Turf$4 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1984Favorites: Win 27% In-The-Money 64%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $21.11Exacta: $159.57Trifecta: $1,159.93Superfecta: $15,880.80

    2016 Turf Highlight:HIGHLAND REEL opened a long lead and held off favored Flintshire and defending champion/stablemate Found to give Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore a second consecutive Turf victory and sixth all-time.

    KNOW THIS:Only 1 of the last 9 winners had raced exclusively in the US. Little Mike (2012) is the exception.

    Aidan O’Brien has trained the winner in 4 of the last 6 years.

    Last year’s 1-2-3 European trifecta sweep was the first since 2005. One foreign-bred has been in the trifecta in 18 consecutive years.

    The Arc de Triomphe (9 wins) and Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont (6) have been the most productive final Turf preps.

    Johar (2003) was the last California-based Turf winner when he dead-heated with High Chaparral at Santa Anita.

    ALREADY SCREENED THIS ’REELby Jeff Siegel XBTV.com

    Jeff’s Picks

    1. HIGHLAND REEL 2. ULYSSES 3. OSCAR PERFORMANCE 4. BEACH PATROL

    ANALYSIS: European invaders have captured the Turf 16 times in the past 22 years, a sobering statistic that is further accentuated due to the fact that most of those winners, while hardly scrubs, weren’t considered among the absolute foreign elite. North American-based runners have been in especially deep water in years when overseas outfits actually send a truly legitimate top-class runner, like HIGHLAND REEL in 2016 or Found the year before that. Such will be the case this year, as HIGHLAND REEL is back to defend his title along with the 2016 fourth-place finisher, ULYSSES, who appears much improved this year and, in fact, is now rated higher than ‘REEL. Yet another win in the BC Turf by the visiting team seems inevitable.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: HIGHLAND REEL is a top-of-the ground specialist whose form has been comprised by unsuitably soft turf in his last two outings. ULYSSES has performed superbly, winning the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York and then finishing third in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly.

    VALUE PLAYS: On pure form, the home team doesn’t match up well at all, though OSCAR PERFORMANCE, the 2016 Juvenile Turf winner, might be overlooked in the wagering and easily could outrun his backing. Always dangerous on the lead, the son of Kitten’s Joy seems capable of providing a real scare should he inherit the role as the controlling speed. BEACH PATROL arguably has risen to the top of the American turf ranks following Grade 1 victories in the Arlington Million and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and is quite capable of at least landing in the frame.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $50 Win: HIGHLAND REEL ($50)

    • $10 Exacta Box: HIGHLAND REEL and ULYSSES ($20)

    • $5 Exacta Box: HIGHLAND REEL, ULYSSES, OSCAR PERFORMANCE ($30)

    Post 4:37 pm Pacific

    1 1/2 Mile Turf

    FINISH

    START

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Super High 5

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race12 Breeders’ Cup

    Classic$6 Million - Grade 1

    STATS & TRENDS Division Debut: 1984Favorites: Win 27% In-The-Money 61%Average Winning $2 PayoffsWin: $26.27 Exacta: $205.69Trifecta: $3,216.69Superfecta: $80,702.90

    2016 Classic Highlight:Sophomore ARROGATE reeled in favored California Chrome to give trainer Bob Baffert his third straight Classic win, following Bayern (2014) and American Pharoah (2015).

    KNOW THIS:Defending Classic champs are 12: 1-1-3 in title defenses. Tiznow (2001) defended his title. Zenyatta (2010) finished second.

    There have been 12 sophomore winners, including 3 in a row: Bayern (2014), American Pharoah (2015), and ARROGATE (2016). No winner has been a gelding or older than age 5. Also, no winner has been over 15-1 odds since Volponi (2002).

    Five straight winners have been within 2 lengths of the lead after the opening half-mile, including a trio of wire-to-wire speedsters.

    11 Euros have been in the money, including winners Arcangues (1993) and Raven’s Pass (2008).

    BAFFERT BRINGS ’ARRO’ TO GUN FIGHTby Steve Byk At the Races SiriusXM

    Steve’s Picks

    1. ARROGATE 2. GUN RUNNER 3. WEST COAST 4. PAVEL

    ANALYSIS: In a Breeders’ Cup crescendo that has been building all year, defending champion ARROGATE and relentlessly improving GUN RUNNER are set for an epic confrontation at Del Mar. Seemingly invincible after the first third of the year, ARROGATE’s summer tailspin demonstrated that his remarkable World Cup effort drained his tank. Supporters of the ’16 Horse of the Year know that Bob Baffert rebounded from a similar mishap with American Pharaoh in 2015 and should be heartened by the increasing vitality ARROGATE has displayed preparing for the Classic. GUN RUNNER meanwhile reached a new level of proficiency since the second in Dubai behind ARROGATE, with a trio of dominant Grade 1 wins at nine furlongs in the Clark (110 Beyer), Whitney (112) and Woodward (115). Any other winner besides the top pair will be a surprise.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: After ARROGATE and GUN RUNNER, glossed over Pacific Classic winner COLLECTED, likely 3yo champion WEST COAST. Off nearly a year, COLLECTED has reached new heights and owns the notable win over the surface at the trip. WEST COAST on a five-race skein featuring ascending figs, is ‘this year’s sophomore model’ for Baffert and offers breakthrough upside.

    VALUE PLAYS: Prices that offer intrigue for the lower rungs of exotics are the late runners like Travers runner-up GUNNEVERA and hard-trying multiple Grade 1-placed WIN THE SPACE. PAVEL figures to be another overlooked longshot worthy of inclusion.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $5 Trifecta, Part Wheel: ARROGATE, GUN RUNNER with ARROGATE, GUN RUNNER, WEST COAST with ARROGATE, GUN RUNNER, WEST COAST, PAVEL, COLLECTED, GUNNEVERA, WIN THE SPACE ($100)

    Post 5:35 pm Pacific

    1 1/4 Miles

    FINISHSTART

  • Wagering MenuWin, Place, Show,Exacta, Trifecta,

    Superfecta,Super High 5

    SATU

    RDAY

    Race12 Breeders’ Cup

    Classic$6 Million - Grade 1

    BREEDERS’ CUP GUARANTEED POOLS

    FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3

    $500,000 Pick 5Races 1 – 5

    $500,000 Pick 6Races 4 – 9

    $1,500,000 All-Breeders’ Cup Pick 4

    Races 6 – 9

    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

    $500,000 Pick 5Races 1 – 5

    $1,000,000 All-Breeders’ CupEarly Pick 4Races 5 – 8

    $2,000,000 All-Breeders’ CupUltra Pick 6Races 7 – 12

    $3,000,000 All-Breeders’ CupLate Pick 4

    Races 9 – 12

    CHANGING OF THE GUARDby Eddie Olczyk NBC Sports

    Eddie’s Picks

    1. GUN RUNNER 2. COLLECTED 3. ARROGATE 4. GUNNEVERA

    ANALYSIS: I’ve been an ARROGATE guy since Day 1, having picked him in Xpressbet’s Travers, Breeders’ Cup and Pegasus World Cup Wager Guides. And he’d be my pick this time around too…if the Breeders’ Cup were held anywhere but Del Mar. Unfortunately, he just doesn’t get around this oval like he gets over other tracks and, at 2/1 odds, I can’t bet him here. That’s why I’m making GUN RUNNER my Breeders’ Cup Classic pick. He has all of the attributes I want to see from my Classic horse, and at virtually the same price as ARROGATE, he feels like the better bet.

    MAIN CONTENDERS: The GUN RUNNER we’ll see on Saturday isn’t the same GUN RUNNER that ARROGATE beat in the Travers and Dubai World Cup. This version of him is grown up and much better, having reeled off blowout wins in the Stephen Foster, Whitney and Woodward. He brings a huge tactical edge to the races – he can lead or stalk – and Florent Geroux knows exactly which buttons to push with this horse. I don’t think 1 ¼-miles will be a deal breaker and his draw in the middle of the field is ideal. ARROGATE is too good to toss entirely, and his effort in the Pacific Classic was solid. It just wasn’t great. And for a horse that we’ve come to expect greatness from, it was pretty disappointing. He’ll need to rekindle his early-season magic to outrun GUN RUNNER, and I just don’t see that happening at Del Mar.

    VALUE PLAYS: I’m hoping I can get COLLECTED into the Exacta or Trifecta. On paper he’s the speed of the speed and I think his stablemate, WEST COAST, and GUN RUNNER, will settle into stalking roles. The tight turns and short stretch at Del Mar should play to frontrunners, and COLLECTED has already run a massive race here, so he’s going to be tough to pass.

    WAGERING STRATEGY ($100):

    • $40 Win: GUN RUNNER ($40)• $10 Exacta Box: GUN RUNNER and COLLECTED ($20)• $10 Trifecta: GUN RUNNER with COLLECTED with ARROGATE, GUNNEVERA ($20) • $10 Trifecta: GUN RUNNER with ARROGATE, GUNNEVERA with COLLECTED ($20)

    Post 5:35 pm Pacific

    1 1/4 Miles

    FINISHSTART