Scully: Betting Breeders' Cup Saturday

Del Mar features nine Breeders’ Cup races Saturday, and my strongest opinions come later on the program. It’s one of my favorite days for multi-race bets (Pick 3s, Pick 4s etc), and here are my thoughts.

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (Race 4, 3:05 p.m. ET)

The defending champion, #5 Gamine appears extremely formidable, but she’s never raced at Del Mar. Her main rival, #6 Bella Sofia, has some appeal following a fast win (111 Brisnet Speed rating), and I won’t use any other runners.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Race 5, 3:40 p.m. ET)

A good betting race. #2 Emaraaty Ana, a five-year-old gelding from England who has turned into a top-class sprinter in recent months, has won around a left-handed turn and is eligible to receive a decent stalking trip in midpack with his tactical speed. He’s my top choice, and I will also use #10 Gear Jockey prominently in wagers.

I’m against the expected favorite, Golden Pal, and will include #4 Lieutenant Dan, #8 Caravel, and #9 Kimari on multi-race tickets.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (Race 6, 4:19 p.m. ET)

#5 Life Is Good is the one to beat at short odds, but #3 Ginobili may have a say in the outcome given his terrific form and affinity for Del Mar.

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (Race 7, 4:59 p.m. ET)

#6 Love is my top pick, but I will spread in this competitive affair. #4 Rougir, #7 War Like Goddess, and #8 Loves Only You can all be used, and #10 Ocean Road, who should move up on firm ground in the second start after a freshening, is one I'll mention at expected long odds.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Race 8, 5:38 p.m. ET)

#2 Jackie’s Warrior won’t offer any value for straight bets as an odds-on favorite, and my main play will be straight exacta over #5 Aloha West, who should finish fast behind an expected hot pace. I will save with a 5-2 exacta for a smaller amount.

Breeders’ Cup Mile (Race 9, 6:20 p.m. ET)

A nice Late Pick 4 sequence kicks off. #3 Space Blues should have little difficulty stretching out to a mile, and he appears poised to run a big race for Charlie Appleby. A pair of domestic runners, #6 Mo Forza and #7 In Love, will be used, and I won't dismiss the top three chances of #4 Raging Bull, #9 Mother Earth, and #12 Pearls Galore.

Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Race 10, 7 p.m. ET)

After dominating her last four starts on the lead, Letruska probably won’t receive the same favorable setup. She’s been in serious training since at least December, and I am trying to beat the prohibitive favorite.

#2 Royal Flag enters on the upswing for Chad Brown, recording her three best efforts since returning from a freshening in July, and she will look to take advantage of a projected hot/contested pace. #1 Private Mission, #3 Malathaat, and #11 Dunbar Road also merit serious consideration from me.

Breeders’ Cup Turf (Race 11, 7:40 p.m. ET)

Last year’s winner, #13 Tarnawa, looks capable of repeating, but I will side with the up-and-coming #10 Teona for top honors. The sophomore filly exits a sharp Group 1 score over Snowfall, and she prefers firmer ground. #9 Sisfahan is another Euro on my tickets.

Breeders’ Cup Classic (Race 12, 8:40 p.m. ET)

#4 Essential Quality is my best bet in the two-day Breeders’ Cup, a single for all multi-race wagers. Hot Rod Charlie, Knicks Go, and Medina Spirit should be mixing it up on the front end, setting the table perfectly for Essential Quality.

Hot Rod Charlie and Tripoli will keyed underneath in vertical wagers (exactas, trifectas, and superfectas).

Good luck!