Saturday of the World Championships is an absolute gauntlet of races on tap. The world’s best hit Santa Anita Park with all that they have, and this is sure to be a day to remember. While the order of races may not be what we are used to, the racing day should be nothing but spectacular. Here is how I see the races on the day.

Race 3 – Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (Grade I) | 1 Mile | Dirt | Three-Year-Olds and Upward | $1,000,000
(1) Stage Raider | (3) Cody’s Wish | (4) Zozos
I do think this race runs through one main horse, Cody’s Wish, who can easily take this if he likes the two-turn trip; but his best is always around one turn, and he hasn’t been coming into this race off his best. I’ll use Stage Raider to beat him at a price; he was just a length from Zozos last out in the Ack Ack around one-turn, and really needs two turns to get his game going; his last win at Ellis Park was impressive, pulling away from the weaker stakes field – will need his best to win, but is poised for an upset. Zozos is the other talent here; Brad Cox has him ready. (Algiers was to be the play here, before he had to withdraw)

Race 4 – Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade I) | 1 1/4 Miles | Turf | Three-Year-Olds and Upward, F&M | $2,000,000
(2) Warm Heart | (6) Inspiral | (7) Lindy | (11) Lumiere Rock
After rewatching each of the preps for this field, no one has a turn of foot quite like Warm Heart. Last out in the Qatar Prix Vermeille, Warm Heart easily coasted and fended off the challenge of Melo Melo. She should relish the firmer ground and should appreciate the cut back in distance. Inspiral on class alone would likely win this race – and give Dettori a Breeders’ Cup Flying Dismount – and was impressive in the Sun Chariot; if she handles the move up in distance and the firmer ground, she will be dangerous. Lindy and Lumiere Rock are the longshot plays for me – Lindy showed impressive turn of foot last out and will respond well to the step up in pace, while Lumiere Rock puts her best on firmer ground and is not too far from the top of this field – if she can get to the front early she will easily hold on for a piece of it in the end.

Race 5 – Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade I) | 7 Furlongs | Dirt | Three-Year-Olds and Upward, F&M | $1,000,000
(1) Goodnight Olive
Not going to try and rewrite the book here – Goodnight Olive is much the best here in a race that came up very soft.

Race 6 – Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade I) | 1 Mile | Turf | Three-Year-Olds and Upward | $2,000,000
(6) Mawj | (10) Songline | (11) Kelina | (14) Master Of The Seas
This is an absolute thriller on paper! So much talent in what may be the best Breeders’ Cup Mile in a long time. The 1000 Guineas winner, Mawj, gets my top vote here, as she had the ideal prep heading into this spot and has really taken well to the American turf. Her last out was an impressive gate to wire win at Keeneland and should move up off that. But her challengers are fierce. The Japanese back-to-back Yasuda Kinen winning mare, Songline, is the real deal – if she transfers her form and turn of foot overseas, she will be very difficult to stop; whether she makes the trip well is really the only question mark for a horse that continues to swallow up ground very quickly. Meanwhile the Wertheimer et Frere entry of Kelina may be the forgotten one, and could be open at a price, after an impressive win over Kinross in the Prix de la Foret last out; she is a fighter who is coming into her own now. Of course, it would be a mistake to leave out the Appleby-Buick runner, Master Of The Seas, who is an excellent horse in his own right; the pair have won this race the last two years and have another tough challenger with this winner of the Woodbine Mile.

Race 7 – Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Grade I) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | Three-Year-Olds and Upward, F&M | $2,000,000
(7) Wet Paint | (4) Idiomatic | (2) A Mo Reay
The Distaff has come up with a ton of front speed and lots of horses that want the front. The expected fast pace sets up well for those with tactical speed and closers, which leads me to Wet Paint and Idiomatic. Both are must use in my opinion, with both looking to set just a bit off the quick early pace and sweeping by. Wet Paint is coming into her own well and should step up again here, while Idiomatic is one that has excelled from anywhere in the track and should be placed right behind the leaders or taking over if no one else does by Florent Geroux. A Mo Reay gets the price here – no way she should be anywhere near 20/1 – trouble has caused her to lose some lengths in her last three, but last out was showing exactly what you’d want and should continue to improve – a clean trip for her likely gets her into the money, if not better.

Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Turf (Grade I) | 1 1/2 Miles | Turf | Three-Year-Olds and Upward | $4,000,000
(9) Mostahdaf | (5) Auguste Rodin
Can’t say there is much money to be won here, but some of the best turf stars in the world hit the Arcadia turf for a thrilling showdown. Auguste Rodin is by far the class of the field and will get most of the money – a thrilling sight to see the Irish Champion and dual Derby winner here for the Breeders’ Cup. But Mostahdaf will be my top choice here – should get him at twice the odds of Auguste Rodin and with just as much talent – the Juddmonte and Princes of Wales’s winner relishes this firmer ground and has shown to travel so well. He has grown so much since the Dubai Sheema Classic and should be in top form for Jim Crowley and John Gosden.

Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade I) | 1 1/4 Miles | Dirt | Three-Year-Olds and Upward | $6,000,000
(13) Proxy | (8) Ushba Tesoro | (11) Bright Future
I’ve been a huge fan of Proxy for over a year now… just waiting for his time to shine. Here might be it. The son of Tapit is one with a ton of tactical speed but has found his way into some tough spots all year round. He finally has started to grow these last two and looks to be gearing up for another big run entering this spot. His best stuff comes at 10 furlongs, and his great positioning should keep him in a spot to pounce down the stretch against what looks to be a pretty quick pace. Ushba Tesoro is a must use – he is one of the best horses in the world and the quick pace here should bode well for him to get a big last run down the stretch and close on for victory. I’ll take a price in Bright Future who has found his preferred race as of late and should press the pace early and have the stamina to keep on going.

Race 10 – Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Grade I) | 5 Furlongs | Turf | Three-Year-Olds and Upward | $1,000,000
(12) Arzak | (11) Jasper Krone | (3) Caravel
What a great betting race in the Turf Sprint! Arzak gets my pick – love his Woodford win last out and this is the type of spot he loves to be in – this race suits his style well and puts him right where he needs to be to win. His form is developing well coming into the Breeders Cup. Jasper Krone ships in from Japan and the cutback in distance to 5 furlongs should bode him well – nice run in the Kitakyushu Kinen earlier this year and has a ton of talent to show up today. Meanwhile Caravel is always a must use in these spots and, while the last two have been terrible trips, she should rebound to find her way near the front at the end.

Race 11 – Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade I) | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | Three-Year-Olds and Upward | $2,000,000
(2) Dr. Schivel | (6) The Chosen Vron
I’m taking two of the top horses from the last two major sprint races in California, the Santa Anita Sprint Championship winner Dr. Schivel and the Bing Crosby winner The Chosen Vron. Both have tactical speed, are in great form, and relish this tricky track in Arcadia. Seeing how front running speed didn’t bode well for horses on Friday gives credence to those in the second flight.

The World Championships of Horse Racing are among us once again – the Breeders’ Cup! With a stacked Future Stars Friday card on the docket, Friday is an exceptional day of racing for any fan. No race is a true give-me with Juvenile races having diverse and challenging fields that are sure to cause the best horses to rise to the occasion.

Race 5 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade I) | 5 Furlongs | Turf | Two-Year-Olds | $1,000,000
(2) No Nay Mets | (9) Starlust | (11) Slider
Speed will be the name of the game for these two-year-olds in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. No Nay Mets has by far the best speed in this field, has drawn near the inside, and is fresh coming into this spot. Irad should be able to easily navigate this field from the front and pull away near the end to take the opening Championship race. I’d add Starlust and Slider underneath at prices; Starlust will definitely move up on this firmer turf while Slider is very comfortable on this course and should be running near the front in the end.

Race 6 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade I) | 1 1/16 Miles | Dirt | Two-Year-Old Fillies | $2,000,000
(7) Tamara | (1) Candied | (2) Jody’s Pride
Is Tamara much the best in this field? Absolutely. If she runs her race, she crushes this field, but if she doesn’t repeat her effort in the Del Mar Debutante, the Alcibiades winner Candied isn’t going to be too far behind her. Candied has been impressive in both her starts and is showing great turn of foot for being so young. Both ridden by elite jockeys that will be putting their mounts in the best position. But if not them, watch out for a young two-year-old by American Pharoah out of a Scat Daddy mare; Jody’s Pride may have been sprinting against fields that really wanted to be on turf, but she has taken both races in great stride and was ultra impressive drawing away in the Matron last out at Aqueduct. While this will be a step up for her, and a much longer distance, her pedigree suggests she gets the distance and at 15/1, it is hard to avoid a horse that should definitely be at a shorter price.

Race 7 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade I) | 1 Mile | Turf | Two-Year-Old Fillies | $1,000,000
(8) Life’s An Audible | (5) Content | (7) Gala Brand | (10) Austere
This is by far the toughest race of the day to handicap. The Euros look good here, but the obvious stand-outs have too many questions about distance to put a lot of eggs in their basket. Instead, I go with a longshot coming in from NY, Life’s An Audible, who was charging hard last time out against an incredible slow pace. She won’t get that here and should get the quick pace she was hoping to have – that will work well for her turn of foot and help her do just one better this time. Underneath, I’ll take the mount of Ryan Moore, Content, who had a flying win last out in the Staffordstown Stud and should easily make the distance – she has been getting better as the races get longer and should be a contender. I’ll also use a second runner out of the Ms Grillo, Gala Brand, who was impressive in the With Anticipation and looks to get a trip that won’t have her in the middle of the track. I also can’t leave this race without looking at Austere, who could end up being the best of this bunch a year from now; I think she is just a bit green still, but watching her win at Kentucky Downs is all you need to know she is a future star.

Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) | 1 1/16 Mile | Dirt | Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings | $2,000,000
(8) General Partner | (4) Timberlake | (10) Muth
The Champagne Stakes one-two look to be coming into form well. Timberlake put his best performance on the track in the Champagne last out, but General Partner may be the better one here; looked like the slop just hampered his ability to finish, but that won’t be the problem here. Both of these are much the best in the field. Muth has a lot of talent and sure to at least test anyone down the stretch.

Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade I) | 1 Mile | Turf | Two Year Old Colts & Geldings | $1,000,000
(8) Unquestionable | (14) Carson’s Run | (2) River Tiber
Aidan O’Brien does look to be the one to come away with another Juvenile Turf this year, with a very tough to stop Unquestionable. He should easily hit the money and looks to tower over this field. While he does have a few blemishes on his record, he has been racing against the top and continues to impress. Meanwhile, Carson’s Run comes out of a tough Summer Stakes at Woodbine that he won in funky fashion – a more straightforward trip will bode well for him (also watch if Gala Brand wins the Juvenile Fillies Turf earlier in the day; he finished behind her in the With Anticipation). I’ll throw the other talented Aidan O’Brien into the card, with River Tiber shipping well and sure to be a threat.

New York, New York – the home of the Belmont Stakes and the Third Jewel of the Triple Crown! After a few days of the apocalypse shuddered New York, we are back with racing this Saturday for a stacked card of some of the greatest and most historic races, along side championship horses. Let’s take a look at the races and my selections for Belmont Stakes Day:

Race 3 | True North | G2 | 6.5 Furlongs Dirt | $250,000 | 4UP
(1) Today’s Flavor | (5) Strobe | (6) Elite Power

While the Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner may be tough to beat first out of his Saudi win, the layoff and trip may get the best of him. I’ll go with the strong early speed of Today’s Flavor with Manny Franco aboard; he has shown up time and time again, loves getting to the lead first, and has the style to go gate-to-wire. Strobe and Elite Power will be underneath.

Race 5 | Poker | G3 | 1 Mile Turf | $200,000 | 4UP
(1) Chez Pierre | (2) Emaraaty | (7) Filo Di Arianna

The Maker’s Mark Mile winner from France, the aptly named Chez Pierre, is much the best in this group. Really hard to see how this gelding loses with Flavien Prat aboard in this one. Emaraaty is a tough and hard trier making the first off a long layoff, which is usually pretty good for him, while Filo Di Arianna has the resume to excel in this spot second off the layoff.

Race 6 | Brooklyn | G2 | 1 1/2 Miles Dirt | $250,000 | 4UP
(5) Next | (2) Red Run | (1) Portos

Next is an outstanding marathoner that has found his niche. Should really excel in this spot at Belmont Park against many returning foes from last time. If he grabs the lead early, he will put this field away. Red Run came out of the same race and just missed the win – looked to be much better than winner but had a tough trip, while Portos should get back into form with Tom Morley.

Race 7 | Ogden Phipps | G1 | 1 1/16 Miles Dirt | $500,000 | 4UP FM
(4) Secret Oath | (1) Pass The Champagne | (2) Search Results

What a showdown between Secret Oath and Search Results! The daughter of Arrogate for D. Wayne Lukas looks to take this against a very tough field, but she will look to rebound going her preferred one turn. She is a tough horse and should be able to close out and catch Search Results or Played Hard late. Pass The Champagne is a nice price horse that you need to watch out for – she was impressive last out in the Ruffian.

Race 8 | Woody Stephens | G1 | 7 Furlongs Dirt | $400,000 | 3YO
(4) General Jim | (13) Drew’s Gold | (3) Arabian Lion

The Pat Day Mile winner, General Jim, looks to complete the double, and has the right running style to do it. Closers excel in the Woody Stephens usually but will have to content with a tough Baffert runner in Arabian Lion. Drew’s Gold is improving and has a very live chance to steal.

Race 9 | Jaipur | G1 | 6 Furlongs Turf | $400,000 | 3UP
(12) Caravel | (2) Go Bears Go | (1) Yes And Yes

Caravel is the best turf sprinter in the country. She has been dominant for so long and continues to get better. She doesn’t seem to be looking back at all. This is the type of spot that she should relish – a track that loves her running style. The lock of the day.

Race 10 | Metropolitan Handicap | G1 | 1 Mile Dirt | $1,000,000 | 3UP
(1) Cody’s Wish | (3) Dr. Schivel | (6) Zandon

Cody’s Wish is the one to beat here – has been dominant the last year, and is tough around one turn. If there is even an ounce of speed, he will be able to close well and should blow past down the stretch. Dr. Schivel will be the one to catch, though. He may be better than Cody’s Wish, though hard to say right now – lots of talent and he is finally back to the races and looks to be right. Could be a dominant force in the one-turn division. Meanwhile Zandon is dangerous to sneak a win if thinks fall apart.

Race 11 | Manhattan | G1 | 1 1/4 Miles Turf | $750,000 | 4UP
(4) Ottoman Fleet | (5) Soldier Rising | (10) Highest Honors

Charlie Appleby doesn’t lose when he sends horses to the states, and the Fort Marcy winner Ottoman Fleet joins his winning contingent. He easily won clear last out and looks to continue that in this Belmont invasion – has a lot of class and toughness to win and should be placed well for the most part. Soldier Rising was solid in the Man O’ War, just coming up short, but shouldn’t be doubted in this spot for Christophe Clement, while Highest Honors should recover footing moving back to Belmont Park.

Race 12 | Belmont Stakes | G1 | 1 1/2 Miles Dirt | $1,500,000 | 3YO
(8) Angel Of Empire | (1) Tapit Shoes | (3) Arcangelo

Angel Of Empire has the pedigree, running style, and skill to crush this field. The Belmont is the perfect race for him, and he seems to be the type that can run all day long. Getting blinkers here should help him stay forwardly placed and take this race all the way. Tapit Shoes is the other for Brad Cox, and ran very well in the Bath House Row last out; really improving and should relish this distance. Meanwhile don’t sleep on the Peter Pan winner Arcangelo, who was dangerous las tout and looks to fit well with this group – only can go up from here!

The Big Day is among us! The World Championships of Horse Racing heat up on Saturday, headlined by an absolute thriller of a race on paper in the Turf and a potential legendary performance in the Classic. Here is how I see the day shape up.

Race 3 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI) Sat. 11:50am
$1,000,000 7 Furlongs Dirt For Older, Fillies & Mare
Top Selections: 11- Wicked Halo 4- Ce Ce 13- Echo Zulu
This race is loaded with speed. With so much early speed, I’ll take Wicked Halo who will likely rate off the pace and take a late run at the lead. With a similar race and win last out over course and distance, this daughter of Gun Runner finds herself in a spot that works to her running style and advantage. The class and pace will be tough, but she is suited well to take on the step up here. As for another stalker, Ce Ce took a similar route this year as she did last year to the F&M Sprint – with this being her only race of the year that she comes into off of just one month rest. This is where her form does best – off a “quick” turnaround, and her stalking style and class will poise her as one to watch. Meanwhile, Echo Zulu at a slight price is tempting. I love her coming from the outside post, giving her a clear path to take the lead right out of the gate. I don’t think she has the best case to be made with this pace, but if she is the one on the lead, I can’t go against a horse that has never lost when leading out of the gate.

Race 4 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (GI) Sat. 12:29pm
$1,000,000 5 1/2 Furlongs Turf For Older
Top Selections: 8- Golden Pal 12- Bran 1- Creative Force
Could this very well be the worst field that Golden Pal has ever faced? This son of Uncle Mo goes in an easy group for the Turf Sprint and should crush it. His four for four record at Keeneland and near perfect record in these types of spots makes him very hard to bet against. This field doesn’t pose much of a challenge and is an easy single in the card. Underneath, I’ll use Bran, who was impressive last out at Kentucky Downs and has been close in just about every start, and Creative Force, who is looking to turn it up based on the current form cycle.

Race 5 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) Sat. 1:10pm
$1,000,000 1 Mile Dirt For Older
Top Selections: 3- Pipeline 2- Simplification 6- Laurel River
Few horses have impressed me more this year than Pipeline, who continues to improve and impress. Last year was far from an ideal year for this son of Speightstown, but once turning four, he has been a different beast. Sure, its only three races, but it was against great company and in pretty tough spots. The draw to the inside should help him stop losing so much ground, and the more average pace he will face here will go towards his liking. I’m willing to take a chance on him in this wide-open spot. I’ll be throwing in Simplification, who I’ve been waiting to get back to a mile – I think this is his best distance by far, and Laurel River, who truly impressed me last out in the Pat O’Brien and should continue to advance well going forwards.

Race 6 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (GI) Sat. 1:50pm
$2,000,000 1 3/16 Miles Turf For Older, Filles & Mares
Top Selections: 3- Nashwa 12- Moira 11- In Italian
This is as tough a race as can be. Until proven otherwise, my attention has to go with Nashwa, the winner of the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood earlier this year. This daughter of Frankel towers over this field in all ways, with perhaps the best closing kick on this card. Hard to ignore. Moira is an interesting one here, having really crushed on the synthetic before making the switch to turf and nearly coming up with a win over Rougir last out in a troubled trip (though later DQ’ed). Her talent is hard to ignore – just will she have it all together and find a non-troubled trip. I’ll also use In Italian, who should be near or on the lead the entire time and is dangerous down the stretch for Chad Brown.

Race 7 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) Sat. 2:30pm
$2,000,000 6 Furlongs Dirt For Older
Top Selections: 9- Jackie’s Warrior 4- American Theorem 2- Kimari
I have too much respect for Jackie’s Warrior to go against him in a spot that sets up for him perfectly. Unlike last year where almost an entire field of speed was signed up, Jackie’s Warrior is the lone take the lead type anyone would need to worry about. Putting him alone on the lead is dangerous and knowing that makes this a sure bet – all in here. Will use American Theorem and Kimari for value underneath – only two that seem to be anywhere close to Jackie’s Warrior in this field and should be around to pick up the pieces after him late.

Race 8 Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) Sat. 3:10pm
$2,000,000 1 Mile Turf For Older
Top Selections: 4- Modern Games 6- Ivar 13- Kinross/1- Pogo
Modern Games is the clear best choice in this field – he is the top horse of both the Euros and American raced horses and looks to build off his Breeders’ Cup success last year with a win here. This race sets up well for him, he has been in form, and he has been tested against others also in form. His turn of foot is top in this class and should relish this firmer surface once again. I’ll be taking Ivar underneath as one who has matched up well with Modern Games and others here, but always seemed to find trouble when drawing more inside. Would’ve preferred an even more outer post, but I’ll take this and look at another similar performance to the last two times he ran in this race. I also can’t avoid Kinross and Pogo, who if you like one you need to like the other – Kinross has been a force over in England and France racing at 7 furlongs and takes the step up today while Pogo is right there with him two back and is coming out of an impressive front running win in the Newmarket Challenge Stakes.

Race 9 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) Sat. 3:55pm
$2,000,000 1 1/8 Miles Dirt For Older, Fillies & Mares
Top Selections: 6- Nest 8- Society 2- Blue Stripe
This race goes through Nest, the clear top three-year-old filly this year. She has done all she has needed to do to get into the favorite spot this weekend and will look to continue to build on that here. Her Beldame win wasn’t her best of the year against a very weak field but served as a good tune-up for this race. Her tactical speed to rate or get to the lead helps in a spot that seems to have a good bit of speed but no one who clearly wants to get to the lead. I look for her to go right to the front early and never give anyone an inch later. Now, what would’ve have happened in the C. C. American Oaks had Society not stumbled at the break? Her races have been just as good as Nest’s. I think a clean trip for her may yield a race on similar footing; if she can get the lead early, perhaps she is the one that will take them all the way. I’ll also play Blue Stripe underneath – has been improving this year and getting into a nice spot in form since racing in this race last year. Not of the same class, but she has the tactical ability to get into a spot to get a piece of the trifecta.

Race 10 Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) Sat. 4:40pm
$4,000,000 1 1/2 Miles Turf For Older
Top Selections: 13- Highland Chief 5- Rebel’s Romance 10- Red Knight
Graham Motion’s Highland Chief should likely be four for four in his last four stakes races, had it not been for some early trouble. He gets to stay away from the early gate bumping and settle into a cleaner trip here with the outside post, which should help him move up. John Velazquez has really improved this son of Gleneagles and has taken a step up going into this spot. Rebel’s Romance is a must use – an easy winner if he is on his game, and Red Knight takes my fancy if you scratch out his last out run where he lost all chance, he fits well with this field and gets Luis Saez aboard on the step up in class.

Race 11 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) Sat. 5:40pm
$6,000,000 1 1/4 Miles Dirt For Older
Top Selections: 4- Flightline 6- Epicenter 2- Life Is Good
Flightline is the best horse in the world this year. No argument. No one in this field can go with him early. There is no way that I’m not going to sit back and watch this horse just crush the field. I’ll take Epicenter underneath – this sone of Not This Time is finally finding his will to win again after runner up finishes in the Derby and Preakness. He is tactical and knows how to stay strong against firm speed – maybe gets up for second. If I am trying to beat Flightline, Life Is Good is the only one in the field that – on his best day – has a chance to beat Flightline. Now, trying to get the lead from Flightline is impossible, but if Life Is Good can rate just off Flightline, there is a chance he can close in and win. I’ll also not ignore Olympiad – he caved to Saratoga two back but looked good otherwise this year – maybe an upset chance?