Breeders’ Cup Betting Strategy: 2024 Future Stars Friday

The Breeders’ Cup is one of the best betting days of the racing calendar. @T3Handicapping outlines some key plays for Future Stars Friday 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: 11:35 AM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $150k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

Race Outlook

The first race is going to play on the idea that the #5 Red Flag is the horse to beat. The only concern would be if speed is holding which favors #7 Captivating Boy and #9 Dothraki who both enter at decent prices. Given that this race number 1 on the card it’s best to keep the bankroll tight and try to cover the possible scenarios.

Win

• No play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 5,7,9 Exacta Box ($6)
• Trifecta Strategy: 5 with 6,7,9 with 6,7,9 ($3)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 5,7,9 with 2,4 ($6)
• Pick 3: 5,7,9 with 2,4 with1,2,4 ($9)
• Pick 5: 5,6,7,9 with 2,4 with 1,2,4,9 with 2 with 3,4,6,7 ($64)

Selections: 5 – 7 – 6 – 9

Del Mar Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:10 PM PT; Senator Ken Maddy Stakes $200k; 5 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.

Race Outlook

On big days like this form can often hold, but this is one I will try to beat. Of the horses in the race the #2 Sassy Nature and the #4 Twirling Queen rate out in that order. They are followed closely by #3 Just Nails and #1 Stay and Scam.

Win

•  4 Units on #2 Sassy Nature

Verticals

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

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 2,4 with 1,2 ($4)
• Pick 3: 2,4 with 1,2 with 2,3,10 ($6)
• Pick 4: 1,2,3,4 with 1,2 with 1,2,3,10 with 3 ($16)

Selections: 2 – 4 – 3 – 1

Del Mar Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 12:45 PM PT; Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes $175k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

Race Outlook

This is a tough race. Beyond the #1 Hot Girl Walk, there are a lot of horses capable of taking a step forward. With no clear opinion on the race, the general approach is to keep things a bit tighter here and preserve bankroll for more rigid opinions later.

Win

•  3 Units on #1 Hot Girl Walk

Verticals

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

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 1 with 1,2,3,10 ($4)

Selections: 1 – 2 – 9 – 4

Del Mar Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:25 PM PT; Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes $200k; 1 M Turf; Field of 18 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

Race Outlook

This race features the Longshot Play of the Day in #2 Smash It. Bet the Longshot Play of the Day at MyBookie. One thing that can really help as a horse player is to lean into those opinions that differ from others. If I’m right about this horse, it will be a positive day regardless of what happens.

Win

•  8 Units on #2 Smash It

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: Exacta Key Box 2 with 1,3,10,14 ($8)
• Trifecta Strategy: 2 with 1,3,10,14 with 1,3,10,14 and 1,3,10,14 with 2 with 1,3,10,14 ($12)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 2 with 3,4,6,7 ($4)
• Pick 3: 2 with 3,4,7 with 2, 7,8,10, 11 ($7.5)
• Pick 4: 2 with 3,4,6,7 with 2,7,8, 9, 10 with 3,8,9,10 ($40)

Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 10

Del Mar Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:05 PM PT; Golden State Juvenile Stakes $175k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

Race Outlook

This race seems top heavy with #3 R Heisman and #4 I’m A Bad Boy looking to be clearly the best. #7 Speedy Wilson should get plenty of speed to run at but offers little value if the other 2 run to form. #6 Call Me Sir and #2 Got’m Cot’m present the best value in the field.

Win

•  4 Units on #3 R Heisman

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 3,4 with 2,3,4,6 ($6)
• Trifecta Strategy:   3,4 with 3,4 with 2,6 and 3,4 with 2,6,7 with 2,3,4,6,7 ($10)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 3,4 with 2,7,8,10 ($8)
• Pick 3: 3,4 with 2,7,8,10 with 3,8,9,10 ($16)

Selections: 3 – 4 – 7 – 6

Del Mar Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:45 PM PT; Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint $1000k; 5 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.

Race Outlook

The first Breeders’ Cup race is no joke and seems to have plenty of chances. Superstars from across the continent collide when #10 Governor Sam, #2 Aesterius and #8 Ecore Sieg square off. Making the puzzle even more complicated is the fact that there are so many other possibilities in the race. Throwing some small darts based on the ability to catch value.

Win

•  2 Units on #2 Aesterius (+450 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 2,8,9,10 Exacta Box ($12)
• Trifecta Strategy: 2 with 7,8,9,10 with 7,8,9,10,11,12,14 ($12)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 2,7,8,9,10,11,12,14 with 3 ($8)
• Pick 3: 2,7,8,9,10,11,12,14 with 3,8,9 with 1 ($12)
• Pick 5: 2,7,8,9,10,11,12,14 with 3,8 with 1 with 1,4,10 with 4,5,10 ($72)

Selections: 2 – 8 – 10 – 7

Del Mar Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:25 PM PT; NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies $2000k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

Race Outlook

This race got a major scratch with #7 Non Compliant coming out of the race. Although I respect the #10 Scottish Lassie, I think there is value to be found in this race. #3 Immersive has tactical speed and #9 American Bikini is an interesting unknown. Horseplayers also know that you must watch out for the other Baffert which is #8 Nooni.

Win

•  5 Units on #3 Immersive (+220 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 3,8 with 3,8,9 ($4)
• Trifecta Strategy: 3,8 with 3,8,9 with 3,8,9,10 ($4)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 3,8,9,10 with 1 ($4)
• Pick 3: 3,8,9,10 with 1 with 1,4,10 ($6)
• Pick 4: 3,8,9,10 with 1 with 1,4,10 with 4,5,10 ($18)

Selections: 3 – 8 – 7 (Scratched) – 9

Del Mar Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:05 PM PT; John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf $1000k; 1 M Turf; Field of 17 runners.

Race Outlook

The opinion is unoriginal but it’s #1 Lake Victoria or the field. She is the one who will determine this race. Plays here will have to be super tight because the rest of the crowd is likely to bet that was as well.

Win

•  No Play

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 1 with 6,7,8 ($3)
• Trifecta Strategy: 1 with 6,7,8 with 1,2,3,4,6,7,8 ($9)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 1 with 4,1,10 ($3)
• Pick 3: 1 with 4 with 1,4,5,10 ($2)

Selections: 1 – 7 – 6 – 8

Del Mar Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:45 PM PT; FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance $2000k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

Race Outlook

The top of the market here should be solid, but this race does have a few interesting long shots that could produce some nice payoffs. This race earned the Best Bet of the Card as #4 Ferocious could be poised to score at a price. The tickets will depend on him hitting the board but look to reflect the potential value of the race.

Win

• 4 Units on #4 Ferocious (+1000 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: Exacta Key Box 4 with 1,2,7,8,10 ($10)
• Trifecta Strategy: 4 with 1,10 with 1,2,5,7,10 and 1,10 with 4 with 1,2,5,7,10 ($8)

Horizontals

• Daily Double: 4 with 4,5,10 ($3)

Selections: 4 – 1 – 10 – 5

Del Mar Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:25 PM PT; Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf $1000k; 1 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

Race Outlook

The get out leg looks like a real throw of the dice. The #4 Al Qudra is the tepid top selection but #5 Zulu Kingdom, #10 Mentee, #11 New Century, and #3 Noble Confessor all seem to also be in the mix. There are a handful of others that could be in the mix as deeper contenders as well. With the two biggest plays out of the day, this will be one last little bullet to fire to hopefully cap off a successful day 1 at the Breeders’ Cup.

Win

•  2 Units on Al Qudra (+550 on BetOnline)

Verticals

• Exacta Strategy: 4,5,10 Exacta Box ($6)
• Trifecta Strategy: 4 with 5,10 with 1,3, 5,10,11,12,13,14 ($7)

Selections: 4 – 10 – 5 – 1

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