How to bet the 2024 Thanksgiving Classic Stakes

A deep field of 11 sprinters will jaunt six panels on the Fair Grounds dirt in Thursday’s $225,000 Thanksgiving Classic S. 

Thanksgiving Classic Wagers

• $15 win and place #7 Red Flag ($30)
• $3 exacta box 1,3,7 ($18)

Race Shape:

The Cherie Devaux-trained #5 Montalcino (4-1) has displayed good speed from the gate in both lifetime efforts to date and will likely be sent once again by Jose Ortiz. 

Commonwealth S. (G3) victor #10 Bo Cruz (6-1) and Bet on Sunshine S. runner-up #11 Champlin (6-1) are both swift and will be asked to get involved from the opening bell in the heat. I feel that the pace will be contested by the trio who will establish solid early fractions while somewhat clear of the rest of the contenders early on. 

Malibu S. (G1) third #1 Giant Mischief (7-2), a fine allowance winner at Keeneland last time out, defending champ #3 Miles Ahead (10-1), and razor-sharp California import #7 Red Flag (8-1) will likely be in the next flight. And I feel that this trio will settle things inside the final furlong. 

Red Flag, claimed by Bob Hess out of his superb allowance win at Del Mar on Breeders’ Cup Friday, is 3-for-3 since returning from a nearly 16-month absence. The six-year-old gelding has enough tactical speed to be in range early in this particular spot, and he has a potent turn of foot that will be tough to deny late in his local debut. Umberto Rispoli coming in to retain the mount is a major positive, as well. 

Giant Mischief was aided by a speed-favoring surface at Keeneland in his seasonal debut, but the Brad Cox pupil still looked the part in his first run after being off for more than nine months. The Into Mischief bay flashed enough potential as a sophomore to assume that he will be a big player in this division going forward. Marcelino Pedroza will be in the silks. 

The Paul McGee-conditioned Miles Ahead didn’t show much from a pair of 2024 starts in the winter and spring, but he comes in fresh with some good morning activity and is a generous price in this spot. The Competitive Edge seven-year-old was very good last campaign, and I like him as an exotics piece at a number under Colby Hernandez.