Breeders’ Cup Site Stamps Tickets: Santa Anita Saturday Analysis

Racing will continue at Santa Anita Park on Saturday. The site will play host to the 2023 Breeders’ Cup in November. Among the races carded are 3 key preps.

The Grade 1 American Pharoah, the Grade 2 Chandelier, and the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive will all earn the victor an automatic bid the races which take place at Santa Anita on November 3rd and 4th.

Many of the top horses will look to use these local preps as a way to give their horses a chance to get over the ground in hopes to gain a home field advantage in November.

Future Stars Friday

One of the newer concepts implemented by the Breeders’ Cup is future stars Friday. Prior to the change, the Breeders’ Cup contests were mixed in among each other over the 2 days of racing. However, under the current model the Friday races are for the Juvenile divisions.

This means that any championship race on the Friday card will be restricted to 2 year old horses. Thoroughbreds are not permitted to race before they turn two years of age.

For casual fans who follow major events like the Kentucky Oaks and Derby, Friday is the day to see the potential contenders for the 2024 versions of those races.

American Pharoah and the Chandelier

The American Pharoah and the Chandelier are both preps for two year old horses and will earn the winners a spot on that Future Star Friday card.

The American Pharoah is a dedicated prep to the FanDuel Juvenile. These horses are usually pointed toward the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby. Past winners of the Juvenile include Forte, Essential Quality, Nyquist, Uncle Mo, and Street Sense.

The Chandelier provides an automatic birth to the NetJets Juvenile Fillies. This race often establishes the early favorite for the following year’s Kentucky Oaks. Notable winners of the Juvenile Fillies include Echo Zulu, British Idiom, Beholder, and Silverbulletday.

Championship Saturday

With the 2 year old runners out of the way on Friday, Saturday of the Breeders’ Cup is a true heavyweight showdown. The day is reserved for the older divisions of horses which culminates with the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Rodeo Drive

The Rodeo Drive which will be contested on the October 7 card at Santa Anita is a “Win and You’re In” for the Maker’s Mark Filly and Mare Turf. Perhaps the most notable winner of that race was in 2021 when Loves Only You (JPN) became the first ever Japanese horse to win a Breeders’ Cup race.

Saturday October 7, 2023 Full Card Analysis

Santa Anita Park – Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM PT; $61k Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #4 MISS MONARCH BAY (5-2) claims the top selection, possessing the pedigree to be a significant player and a strong closing ability.
• #6 SULTRY KITTEN (12-1), a price horse, is a major contender, fitting well in this race with competitive prior performances.
• #2 SIDE BY SIDE (6-1) should be competitive, backed by a promising pedigree.
• #8 RILEY G (2-1) is another to consider, expected to improve off the first start and featuring solid early pace figures in a race with limited front-running speed.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 2 – 8

Santa Anita Park – Race 2

Post: 1:30 PM PT; $36k Starter Optional Claiming, 6 f on turf; Entries: 8

• #4 CASTLEKNOCK (2-1) takes the top spot, fitting well in this race.
• #5 TICKLE MY FANCY (6-1) appears to be a major player, with potential to lead on the front end.
• #6 DUTY FIRST (9-2) should be competitive, boasting solid recent form and readiness for a strong performance. Could be a front-running threat.
• #8 STORMING MACHINE (6-1) is another front-running contender, expected to sit mid-pack and launch a late charge.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 6 – 8

Santa Anita Park – Race 3

Post: 2:03 PM PT; $200k Chandelier S., 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 10

• #8 LAURENT (5-2) looks strong here, with races good enough to outclass the group and the top overall power rating.
• #1 CHATALAS (4-1) is a major player, not troubled by the distance.
• #6 GATE TO PARADISE (5-1) should be competitive, making sense on speed figures, and could be a front-running threat.
• #2 SCALABLE (5-1) is a fringe contender, expected to improve and handle the distance, going out with the Pletcher barn and Smith in the irons.

Selections: 8 – 1 – 6 – 2

Santa Anita Park – Race 4

Post: 2:35 PM PT; $100k Speakeasy S., 5 f on turf; Entries: 10

• #1 DARK VINTAGE (4-1) earns the top selection, to be respected under the combination of Eurton and Hernandez.
• #6 MYSTICISM (5-1) is expected to improve and could be a major player in this race.
• #2 SLIDER (5-2) is a significant contender, boasting races good enough to lead the group and the top overall power rating.
• #3 CHARGE FOR GOLD (15-1) is a price horse to watch and appears to be a major player.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 2 – 3

Santa Anita Park – Race 5

Post: 3:07 PM PT; $61k Maiden Special Weight, 6 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 PETESOLDFASHIONED (7-2) secures the top pick, not troubled by the distance and a potential front-running threat.
• #5 STOLEN TREASURE (6-1) is another top pick, fitting well and making sense on speed figures.
• #6 RED ON SUNDAY (7-2) should improve and appears to be a major player, ready to launch a mid-pack charge.
• #9 STAY ON THE FENCE (3-1) is a major contender and not troubled by the distance.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 6 – 9

Santa Anita Park – Race 6

Post: 3:39 PM PT; $61k Maiden Special Weight, 1 m on turf; Entries: 14

• #1 RASTAMAN VIBE (8-1) appears strong, capable of handling these conditions and delivering a competitive performance.
• #14 NGANNOU (4-1) should improve and looks solid in this race, likely to be part of the early pace.
• #4 ANDREADYTORUMBLE (5-1) is a major player, making sense on speed figures and well-bred for this spot.
• #8 LORD BULLINGDON (3-1) should be competitive, likely in the first flight of runners and ready to challenge late.

Selections: 1 – 14 – 4 – 8

Santa Anita Park – Race 7

Post: 4:11 PM PT; $26k Claiming, 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 12

• #9 BAG’S GOLD (3-1) claims the top selection, expected to be in the first flight of runners and in contention late.
• #1 CHICKNFINGERFRIDAY (8-1) should be competitive, having handled these conditions in previous starts.
• #6 BOOK SMART (7-2) could be a contender, making sense on speed figures.
• #11 TRUSTY RUSTY (12-1) is a price horse and a potential threat, likely in the first flight and with a chance late.

Selections: 9 – 1 – 6 – 11

Santa Anita Park – Race 8

Post: 4:41 PM PT; $300k Rodeo Drive S., 1 1/4 m on downhill turf; Entries: 8

• #2 ANISETTE (2-1) is the top pick, featuring the top overall power rating and a potential strong late run.
• #4 CLOSING REMARKS (4-1) is another top pick, looking to be the class of the field and a potential front-running threat.
• #6 DIDIA (9-5) appears strong, expected to be a front-running threat.
• #1 TURNERLOOSE (6-1) should be competitive and also a potential front-running threat.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 6 – 1

Santa Anita Park – Race 9

Post: 5:11 PM PT; $300k American Pharoah S., 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 MUTH (1-1) looks strong, to be respected under the combination of Baffert and Hernandez, with the top overall power rating.
• #6 BE YOU (4-1) should be competitive, displaying solid recent performances.
• #1 ROTHSCHILD (12-1) is a price horse to consider, potentially getting the right setup.
• #3 NEXT LEVEL (4-1) is a fringe contender, looking like the class of the field and also hoping for the right setup.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 1 – 3

Santa Anita Park – Race 10

Post: 5:41 PM PT; $63k Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 f on turf; Entries: 11

• #9 REAL FIRE (8-1) gets the top selection, making sense on speed figures.
• #4 KISSED BY FIRE (4-1) appears to be a major player, capable of leading the early pace.
• #1 HAYLEY LEVADE (10-1) is a price horse to watch, likely to sit in the second tier and make a well-timed run.
• #2 RAGTIME ROSE (8-1) should be competitive, making sense on speed figures and potentially challenging late.

Selections: 9 – 4 – 1 – 2

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select cards throughout the week. This week’s analysis will feature many of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races including:

Friday

• Keeneland featuring the Alcibiades, the Jessamine, and the Stoll Keenan Ogden Phoenix

Saturday

• Belmont at the Big A featuring the Champagne and the Frizette.
• Keeneland featuring the Breeders’ Futurity, the Coolmore Turf Mile, and the Thoroughbred Club of America
• Santa Anita featuring the American Pharoah, the Chandelier, and the Rodeo Drive.

Sunday

• Keeneland featuring the Bourbon Stakes and the the Spinster.

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