How to bet the Thanksgiving Classic

A sharp field of eight one-turn specialists will vie in Thursday’s $125,000 Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds.

Thanksgiving Classic Wagers

• $30 Exacta: 4 with 8 ($30)
• $4 Trifecta: 4,8 with 4,8 with 1,5,6 ($24)

Thanksgiving Classic Analysis

The speed of the field is #4 Bobby’s Wicked One, and he will be tracked by #6 Landeskog. #8 Mr. Money Bags will sit just off the top pair from the outside post.

Thanksgiving Classic Contenders

#1 TRINGALE -- Flat Out gelding was runner-up in the event last season and drew inside for this endeavor. Dark bay is unplaced from a pair of races in 2020, but he has some back class and has fired three consecutive bullet moves on the surface as of late. Davis trainee will be forwardly placed with a clean break from the gate.

#2 NITROUS -- Tapit colt hasn’t won since April of 2019 for Asmussenm, but he came close when third in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) at Laurel last time out. Kentucky-bred gray comes in fresh for his local debut, and he could make some noise from off the pace if the leaders duel early on. Adam Beschizza has the call.

#3 CHUBLICIOUS -- 9-year-old has run a few big races on the course in recent seasons, including a second in the race in 2017 and an even fifth in the contest the following campaign. New Jersey-bred will need improvement off the short break, but he is not impossible to reach the top-four at a considerable price.

#4 BOBBY’S WICKED ONE -- Defending champ is mostly an all-or-nothing sprinter who thrives at Fair Grounds with a 6-5-0-0 local mark. Al Stall pupil was an easy winner in his last pair of tries at Fair Grounds, and he will be super tough to knock off if he clears the field early on. Miguel Mena has the assignment.

#5 MANNY WAH -- Chestnut from the Catalano shedrow was last seen finishing a solid fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and should appreciate the class relief on Thursday. Will Take Charge colt doesn’t win often, but he is clearly talented and has to be a top-three piece with anything like his best showing.

#6 LANDESKOG -- Gelded son of Munnings tired after chasing lone speed at Laurel last time out. Brad Cox trainee is swift from the gate and has been working well as of late, but he will have to be very sharp in this contest to withstand a likely early duel with Bobby’s Wicked One. Colby Hernandez will be up.

#7 HE’S SMOKIN NOW -- Outsider has never given the impression of a horse that can defeat this type, and I find it hard to back him with any kind of confidence. The sophomore looks better suited with softer company at this stage of his development.

#8 MR. MONEY BAGS -- Multiple stakes winner makes his Fair Grounds debut from the outside post for Pish. Silver City gelding has a nose for the wire with an 8-for-14 career mark, and his third-place run at Remington Park two back was much better than it appears on paper. Top-three threat will force the pace under Marquez.