Breeders’ Cup Betting Strategy: 2024 Championship Saturday

The Breeders’ Cup is one of the best betting days of the racing calendar. @T3Handicapping outlines some key plays for Championship Saturday to make the most of your wagering dollar.

Using the Breeders’ Cup Plays

Always check the program on race day and adjust for scratches. The best way to use these plays is to combine elements that match your handicapping and modify those that do not reflect your opinion on race.

Breeders’ Cup Win Bets

The win bets include units to reflect the best opportunity to take advantage of value.

Other Breeders’ Cup Plays

Plays in other pools will include a dollar amount of the play assuming the player is betting the minimum. Players are encouraged to weight these plays differently to reflect their own opinion.

Del Mar Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 10:05 AM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $150k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 15 runners.

Race Outlook

Longshot Play of the Day

The Longshot Play of the Day comes out of the gate early in this race. The draw isn’t ideal for #15 Flashiest but this one rates out best in key categories. However, there are a ton of horses in with a shot. This race will be focused on the 15 hitting the board while preserving bankroll for later in the day. Bet the longshot play of the day and any other horses at MyBookie.

Win

• 5 Units on #15 Flashiest

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: Exacta Key Box 15 with 1,6,11,13 ($8)
• Trifecta Strategy: 15 with 1,6,11,13 with 1,6,11,13 and 1,6,11,13 with 15 with 1,6,11,13 ($12)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 1,6,11,13,15 with 3 ($5)
• Pick 3: 1,6,11,13,15 with 3 with 1,3,9 ($7.50)
• Pick 5: 1,6,11,13,15 with 3 with 1,3,9 with 4,9 with 9 ($15)

Selections: 15 – 13 – 11 – 6

Del Mar Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 10:40 AM PT; Bayakoa Stakes $200k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

Race Outlook

This race seems cut and dry with the top 2 in the market dominating the field in #3 Hope Road and #4 Alpha Bella. After that there aren’t a ton of options at prices underneath which is why #2 Desert Dawn at 10-1 may be your best shot to pump some value out of this race.

Win

• No play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 3 with 2,4,7 ($3)
• Trifecta Strategy: 3 with 2,4 with1,2,4,7 ($3)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 3 with 1,3,9 ($3)
• Pick 3: 3 with 1,3,9 with 4,9 ($3)
• Pick 4: 3 with 1,3,9 with 3,4,6,9 with 9 ($6)

Selections: 3 – 4 – 2 – 7

Del Mar Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 11:15 AM PT; Goldikova S. presented by Yaamava’ $300k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

Race Outlook

Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz combining for 10-1?! It may not be that high when #3 Fluffy Socks loads into the gate, but that price is too delicious. After that there are a host of other options including #1 Aspen Grove, #9 Kathmandu, and #2 Sacred Wish. The latter of which will be vital to getting pace up front.

Win

• 5 Units on #3 Fluffy Socks

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 1,3,9 Exacta Box ($6)
• Trifecta Strategy: 1,3 with 1,3,9 with 1,2,3,4,6,9 ($8)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 1,3,9 with 6,9 ($6)
• Pick 3: 1,2,3,9 with 6,9 with 6,9 ($8)

Selections: 3 – 1 – 9 – 2

Breeders’ Cup Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 12:00 PM PT; PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint $1000k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

Race Outlook

The Breeders’ Cup kicks off with the ladies going short. The race kicks off what looks like a pretty formful slate of championship races. It is hard to look beyond #9 Ways and Means and #6 Society. #4 Vahva is probably the next most likely but there’s no value in using that one underneath.

Win

• No play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 9 with 4,6 ($2)
• Trifecta Strategy: 4,9 with 4,9 with 3,10 and 4,9 with 3,6,10 with 4,9 ($5)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 4,9 with 6,9 ($4)
• Pick 3: 4,9 with 6,9 with 2 ($2)
• Pick 5: 4,9 with 6,9 with 2 with 2,4,6,10,11 with 1,2,3,9,11,13,14 ($70)

Selections: 9 – 6 – 4 – 3

Breeders’ Cup Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 12:41 PM PT; Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint $1000k; 5 F Turf; Field of 15 runners.

Race Outlook

#9 Cogburn is the absolute best runner in this race and was greatly benefited by the #12 Bradsell drawing way outside. This one will probably be the most singled horse on tickets across the board so tight ticket construction will be essential.

Win

• No play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 9 with 1,6,11 ($3)
• Trifecta Strategy: 9 with 1,2,6,11 with 1,2,6,11 ($6)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 9 with 2,9 ($2)
• Pick 3: 9 with 2,9 with 2,4,6,10,11($5)
• Pick 4: 9 with 2,9 with 2,4,6,10,11 with 1,2,3,9,11,13,14 ($35)

Selections: 9 – 6 – 2 – 11

Breeders’ Cup Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 1:21 PM PT; Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff $2000k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

Race Outlook

With Idiomatic retiring, this race was gifted on paper to #2 Thorpedo Anna. That earns her the Best Bet of the Card distinction as the most likely winner, but the odds right now do not represent value and are only likely to get shorter. The only wildcard in this race is the #9 Awesome Result. After that it feels like a lot of middling horses. This has come up as one of the weaker renditions of the Distaff and the top of the market should have this win on lock.

Win

• No play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 2,9 Exacta Box ($2)
• Trifecta Strategy: 2 with 1,5,9 with 1,5,6,9 ($4.50)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 2 with 2,4,6,10,11 ($5)
• Pick 3: 2 with 2,4,6,10,11 with 1,9,11,14 ($10)
• Pick 4: 2 with 2,4,6,10,11 with 1,2,3,9,11,13,14 with 3,10 ($35)

Selections: 2 – 9 – 6 – 5

Breeders’ Cup Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 2:01 PM PT; Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf $5000k; 1 1/2 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

Race Outlook

This race goes through the Euros and it starts with #11 Rebel’s Romance. The concern is that the form hasn’t been as rock solid as it was in previous years. There are a few other contenders including #2 Emily Upjohn, #4 Luxembourg, and #10 Wingspan. For the Americans to take this race it probably goes through #6 Far Bridge.

Win

• No play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 2,4,11 Exacta Box ($6)
• Trifecta Strategy: 11 with 2,4,6,10 with 2,4,6,7,10 ($8)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 11 with 1,2,3,9,11,13,14 and 2,4,6,10,11 with 1,9 ($17)
• Pick 3: 2,4,6,10,11 with 1,9 with 3,10 ($10)
• Pick 4: 2,4,6,10,11 with 1,9 with 3,10 with 3,4,7,9,10 ($50)

Selections: 11 – 6 – 4 – 2

Breeders’ Cup Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 2:41 PM PT; Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic $7000k; 1 1/4 M Dirt; Field of 15 runners.

Race Outlook

The Classic is the big prize to be won and this may be one of the deepest fields in recent vintage. The big opinion here is that #3 City of Troy won’t like kick-back and disappoint as a probable favorite. The two horses that I have been on all year have been #1 Forever Young and #9 Fierceness. Although they aren’t required to win in such a balanced field, it will be the key to my wagering strategy.

Win

• 1 Unit on #9 Fierceness (+400 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 1,9 with 1,2,9,11,13,14 ($10)
• Trifecta Strategy: 1,9 with 1,2,9,11,13,14 with 1,2,9,11,13,14 ($20)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 1,2,9,11,14 with 3,10 ($10)
• Pick 3: 1,2,9,14 with 3,10 with 3,4,7,9,10 ($20)
• Pick 5: 1,2,9,11,14 with 3,10 with 3,4,7,9,10 with 7,12 with 9 ($50)

Selections: 9 – 1 – 13 – 14

Breeders’ Cup Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 3:25 PM PT; Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf $2000k; 1 3/8 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

Race Outlook

This race is another that seems to be a bit on the top-heavy side. The scratch of the #6 Ylang Ylang was a big one for my plays. More than likely the winner comes from the #3 Cinderella’s Dream, #10 Moira, and #4 War Like Goddess. I just don’t trust the latter of those runners. After that I think it will be Europeans to fill out the exotics.

Win

• 3 Units on #10 Moira (+800 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 3,10 with 1,3,7,10 ($6)
• Trifecta Strategy: 3,10 with 1,3,7,10 with 1,3,4,7,8,10,11 ($15)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 3,10 with 3,4,7,9,10 ($10)
• Pick 3: 3,10 with 3,4,7,9,10 with 7,12 ($10)
• Pick 4: 3,10 with 3,4,7,9,10 with 12 with 1,2,6,9,12 ($25

Selections: 10 – 3 – 4 – 6 (Scratched)

Breeders’ Cup Picks– Race 10

Post Time: 4:05 PM PT; Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint $2000k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

Race Outlook

Flavian Prat is undoubtedly one of the top jocks in America and that makes #10 Mullikin a major player in this spot. #3 Federal Judge is another major player but may be asked a lot of in the early stages of the race. #9 Remake is a bit of an unknown in this spot and worth inclusion. #4 Nakatomi may benefit from a ton of pace in the early stages.

Win

• 3 Units on #10 Mullikin (+450 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 3,4,9,10 Exacta Box ($12)
• Trifecta Strategy: 3,4,9,10 Trifecta Box ($12)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 9,10 with 6,7,12 ($6)
• Pick 3: 3,4,7,9,10 with 12 with 1,2,6,9,12 ($12.50)

Selections: 10 – 9 – 3 – 4

Breeders’ Cup Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 4:45 PM PT; FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF $2000k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

Race Outlook

#12 Carl Spackler will be disappointed to be stuck outside, but may be able to work out a trip based on the lack of speed everywhere else. #7 Porta Fortuna and #6 Notable Speech are major players. #2 Chili Flag is Irad and Chad so may be able to get up at an extremely juicy price.

Win

• 2 Units on #12 Carl Spackler (+100 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 6,7,12 Exacta Box ($6)
• Trifecta Strategy: 7,12 with 6,7,12 with 2,6,7,12 ($4)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 12 with 1,2,6,9,12 ($5)

Selections: 12 – 7 – 6 – 2

Breeders’ Cup Picks– Race 12

Post Time: 5:25 PM PT; Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile $1000k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

Race Outlook

This is a heck of a race to end the day. It seems like it could go a number of ways and none would be terribly surprising. The top pick is #9 Domestic Product but there are plenty of other options including #1 Saudi Crown who is likely to show speed. #2 T O Saint Denis who will look to finish off a banner weekend for the Japanese. #6 Seize the Gray is just an honest horse from a veteran trainer and #12 Mufasa will look to outrun a late stampede to the wire. #10 Muth is hard to get a read on but is another undeniably talented runner.

Win

• No play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 9 with 1,2,6,10,12 ($5)
• Trifecta Strategy: 9 with 1,2,6,10,12 with 1,2,6,10,12 and 1,2,6,10,12 with 9 with 1,2,6,10,12 ($20)

Selections: 9 – 12 – 2 – 6

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Don’t miss all the horse racing action for the Breeders’ Cup. The world championships of horse racing take place on November 1st and 2nd at historic Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Betting News will have full coverage of the event to help you make the most of your bankroll! Check out this week’s features!

• Thursday Opening Day Analysis: Get full selections and analysis from Del Mar for the Let it Ride Stakes
• Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Analysis: Take a look at the top contenders for all of the races on the Friday card from Del Mar
• Future Stars Friday Betting Strategy: An in-depth look at how to merge selections with betting strategy to make the most of your Friday bankroll
• Breeders’ Cup Championship Saturday Analysis: Take a look at the top contenders for all of the races on the Saturday card from Del Mar
• Championship Saturday Betting Strategy: An in-depth look at how to merge selections with betting strategy to make the most of your Saturday bankroll