The Breeders’ Cup inches ever closer. The 2023 rendition will take place at historic Santa Anita Park. November 4th, will showcase the best older horses in the world battling for divisional supremacy.
Future Stars Friday Previews
Missed the first two installments of our preview series? Check them out on Betting News. Check out the talented young rookies looking to come over and establish themselves as the leader in the clubhouse for their three year old campaigns.
Championship Saturday
While the two days of the Breeders’ Cup is always full of excitement, the heavyweight showdowns really begin on Saturday. Friday is like the college football national championship.
The horses may throw down like Matt Leinart and Vince Young in the 2005 title game, but until they back it up as older horses against better competition they are still just young talent.
Saturday however, it is Brady vs. Manning, Mahomes vs. Allen. This is when the established superstars of the game come out to earn the title of world champion.
Here’s a look at the turf races slated for Championship Saturday.
Breeders’ Cup Championship Saturday Turf Preview
The theme for the Saturday turf races in not that different from the races on Friday. European runners typically fair better over the longer distance turf races where gate speed is less of an issue.
Just as with the Juveniles, the turf sprints when the races are run at Santa Anita are particularly challenging due to the extra short nature of the sprints based on the track’s configuration.
*The races have not yet officially taken entries yet so the horses listed are just probable and may choose other races or not enter the race.
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
- Distance: 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs)
- Surface: Run on turf.
- Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a $2 million race for fillies and mares three years and older. It features some of the world’s best turf distaff runners, with winners like Tepin and Ouija Board. The race was introduced in 1999 and has grown in stature since.
Contenders
Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd
Fev Rover (USA)
- Record: 19-6-4-3
- Regular Jockey: J Castellano
- Trainer: M Casse
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 E.P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine
Didia (USA)
- Record: 13-9-2-0
- Regular Jockey: V Cheminaud
- Trainer: I Correas
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Songline (Japan)
- Record: 16-7-3-1
- Regular Jockey: K Tosaki
- Trainer: T Hayashi
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen
Warm Heart (United Kingdom)
- Record: 8-5-1-0
- Regular Jockey: J Doyle
- Trainer: A O’Brien
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at Longchamp
Inspiral (United Kingdom)
- Record: 12-8-2-0
- Regular Jockey: F Dettori
- Trainer: J Gosden
- Key Race(s): Back to back Grade 1 wins including the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket
In Italian (USA)
- Record: 13-7-5-1
- Regular Jockey: J Rosario
- Trainer: C Brown
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park
Gina Romantica
- Record: 10-5-2-0
- Regular Jockey: T Gaffalione
- Trainer: C Brown
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland
Mckulick (USA)
- Record: 13-5-5-2
- Regular Jockey: I Oritz
- Trainer: C Brown
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga
With The Moonlight (United Kingdom)
- Record: 14-6-4-1
- Regular Jockey: W Buick
- Trainer: C Appleby
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the E. P. Taylor at Woodbine behind Fev Rover
Lindy (USA)
- Record: 8-4-3-0
- Regular Jockey: T Gaffalione
- Trainer: B Walsh
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland
Kelina (France)
- Record: 9-4-1-0
- Regular Jockey: M Guyon
- Trainer: C Laffon-Parias
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Prix De La Foret at Longchamp
Moira (Canada)
- Record: 12-5-4-1
- Regular Jockey: R Hernandez
- Trainer: K Attard
- Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine behind Fev Rover
State Occasion (United Kingdom)
- Record: 19-5-3-4
- Regular Jockey: R Ryan
- Trainer: R Beckett
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Upavon Stakes at Salisbury
Mqse De Sevigne
- Record: 13-4-6-1
- Regular Jockey: A Puchin
- Trainer: A Fabre
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 Sun Chariot Stakes from Newmarket behind Insprial
Lumiere Rock (Ireland)
- Record: 11-2-5-1
- Regular Jockey: D McMonagle
- Trainer: J O’Brien
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Moyglare Jewel Blandford Stakes at the Curragh
Al Husn (United Kingdom)
- Record: 12-7-1-0
- Regular Jockey: J Crowley
- Trainer: R Varian
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood
Win Marilyn (Japan)
- Record: 20-6-2-1
- Regular Jockey: M Matsuoka
- Trainer: T Tezuka
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin
Breeders’ Cup Mile
- Distance: 1 mile (8 furlongs)
- Surface: Run on turf.
- Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Mile is a $2 million turf race that attracts top-class milers. Past winners include Wise Dan and Miesque. The 1984 inaugural edition is noteworthy for Lure’s victory in 1992.
Contenders
Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd
Up To The Mark (USA)
- Record: 11-6-0-2
- Jockey: J Ortiz
- Trainer: T Pletcher
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland
Casa Creed (USA)
- Record: 33-9-5-5
- Jockey: L Saez
- Trainer: W Mott
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga
Exaulted (USA)
- Record: 16-5-4-4
- Jockey: J Hernandez
- Trainer: P Eurton
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita Park
Master Of The Seas (United Kingdom)
- Record: 15-7-3-2
- Jockey: J Doyle
- Trainer: C Appleby
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile
Gear Jockey (USA)
- Record: 19-5-4-4
- Jockey: J Lezcano
- Trainer: G Arnold
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs
Songline (Japan)
- Record: 16-7-3-1
- Regular Jockey: K Tosaki
- Trainer: T Hayashi
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen
Inspiral (United Kingdom)
- Record: 12-8-2-0
- Regular Jockey: F Dettori
- Trainer: J Gosden
- Key Race(s): Back to back Grade 1 wins including the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket
Lukka (USA)
- Record: 9-3-4-2
- Jockey: J Gonzalez
- Trainer: P Baeza Alamos
- Key Race(s): 2 Time Grade 1 winner in Chile
In Italian (USA)
- Record: 13-7-5-1
- Regular Jockey: J Rosario
- Trainer: C Brown
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park
Du Jour (USA)
- Record: 15-5-3-2
- Jockey: F Prat
- Trainer: B Baffert
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile
Masteroffoxhounds (USA)
- Record: 26-4-5-6
- Jockey: E Maldonado
- Trainer: Philip D’Amato
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the John Henry Turf Championship
Annapolis (USA)
- Record: 13-6-4-0
- Jockey: F Prat
- Trainer: T Pletcher
- Key Race(s): 4th in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland behind Up To The Mark
Shirl’s Speight (Canada)
- Record: 18-5-2-2
- Jockey: J Velazquez
- Trainer: R Attfield
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile behind Master of the Seas
More Than Looks (USA)
- Record: 7-4-1-1
- Jockey: J Velazquez
- Trainer: C DeVaux
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs
Lucky Score (Canada)
- Record: 19-6-4-5
- Jockey: S Civaci
- Trainer: M Casse
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine
Astronomer (USA)
- Record: 7-3-1-0
- Jockey: A Fresu
- Trainer: S Callaghan
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile Stakes at Santa Anita
Kelina (France)
- Record: 9-4-1-0
- Regular Jockey: M Guyon
- Trainer: C Laffon-Parias
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Prix De La Foret at Longchamp
Mawj (United Kingdom)
- Record: 9-6-1-1
- Jockey: O Murphy
- Trainer: S bin Suroor
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland
Win Carnelian (Japan)
- Record: 23-8-3-0
- Jockey: K Miura
- Trainer: Y Shikato
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai
Kinross (United Kingdom)
- Record: 28-10-3-3
- Jockey: F Dettori
- Trainer: R Beckett
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 City of York Stakes
Chaldean (United Kingdom)
- Record: 10-5-1-0
- Jockey: F Dettori
- Trainer: A Balding
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qipico 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket
Breeders’ Cup Turf
- Distance: 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs)
- Surface: Run on turf.
- Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Turf is a prestigious grass race for three-year-olds and older. It’s a $4 million race featuring elite turf horses. Historical moments include the iconic victory of Conduit in 2008 and the incredible feat of Highland Reel in 2016.
Contenders
Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd
Up To The Mark (USA)
- Record: 11-6-0-2
- Jockey: J Ortiz
- Trainer: T Pletcher
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland
Gold Phoenix (USA)
- Record: 16-6-3-3
- Jockey: J Hernandez
- Trainer: P D’Amato
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap
Get Smokin (USA)
- Record: 27-6-7-2
- Jockey: F De La Cruz
- Trainer: M Casse
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs
Bolshoi Ballet (Ireland)
- Record: 17-5-1-3
- Jockey: J Velazquez
- Trainer: A ‘Brien
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Belmont Park
Mostahdaf (United Kingdom)
- Record: 16-10-2-0
- Jockey: F Dettori
- Trainer: J Gosden
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot
Raptor’s (Brazil)
- Record: 8-4-3-0
- Jockey: J Moreira
- Trainer: L Esteves
- Key Race(s): 2 Time Grade 1 winner in Brazil
Augustine Rodin (Ireland)
- Record: 9-6-1-0
- Jockey: R Moore
- Trainer: A ‘Brien
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown
Lukka (USA)
- Record: 9-3-4-2
- Jockey: J Gonzalez
- Trainer: P Baeza Alamos
- Key Race(s): 2 Time Grade 1 winner in Chile
Soldier Rising (USA)
- Record: 20-4-9-3
- Jockey: D Davis
- Trainer: C Clement
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Sword Dancer behind Bolshoi Ballet
War Like Goddess (USA)
- Record: 17-11-2-2
- Jockey: J Alvarado
- Trainer: W Mott
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park
Balldeer (USA)
- Record: 18-4-2-2
- Jockey: V Espinoza
- Trainer: G Papaprodromou
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 John Henry Turf at Santa Anita
Adhamo (USA)
- Record: 19-5-3-5
- Jockey: K Kimura
- Trainer: C Brown
- Key Race(s): 3rd in the Canadian International at Woodbine
Cellist (USA)
- Record: 17-3-5-3
- Jockey: M Garcia
- Trainer: G Arnold
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland
Piz Badile (Ireland)
- Record: 9-3-2-2
- Jockey: G Ryan
- Trainer: D O’Brien
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh
Broome (Ireland)
- Record: 38-9-6-2
- Jockey: D McMonagle
- Trainer: A ‘Brien
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Dubai Gold Cup
Planetario (USA)
- Record: 14-6-1-0
- Jockey: H Berrios
- Trainer: R Mandella
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita
Onesto (France)
- Record: 12-3-2-1
- Jockey: M Guyon
- Trainer: F Frankreich
- Key Race(s): 3rd in the Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp
Shahryar (Japan)
- Record: 12-4-1-2
- Jockey: T Yokoyama
- Trainer: H Fujiwara
- Key Race(s): 5th in the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
- Distance: 5 furlongs
- Surface: Run on turf.
- Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is a $1 million race over a unique 5-furlong distance on the turf. Notable winners include Mizdirection and Stormy Liberal. This relatively newer addition to the Breeders’ Cup lineup continues to gain prominence.
Contenders
Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd
Caravel (USA)
- Record: 25-15-1-3
- Jockey: T Gaffalione
- Trainer: B Cox
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park
Motorious (USA)
- Record: 15-6-4-2
- Jockey: G Franco
- Trainer: P D’Amato
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 San Simeon at Santa Anita
Gear Jockey (USA)
- Record: 19-5-4-4
- Jockey: J Lezcano
- Trainer: G Arnold
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs
Live In The Dream (United Kingdom)
- Record: 19-6-2-2
- Jockey: S Kirrane
- Trainer: A West
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York
Bradsell (United Kingdom)
- Record: 8-3-0-3
- Jockey: H Doyle
- Trainer: A Watson
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot
Tony Ann (USA)
- Record: 10-5-1-3
- Jockey: F Prat
- Trainer: P D’Amato
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Franklin Stakes at Keeneland
Nobals (USA)
- Record: 17-9-3-0
- Jockey: G Corrales
- Trainer: L Rivelli
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Troy at Saratoga
Bad Beat Brian (USA)
- Record: 37-8-7-7
- Jockey: C Emigh
- Trainer: B Vanden Berg
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland
Private Creed (USA)
- Record: 11-4-2-2
- Jockey: J Rosario
- Trainer: S Asmussen
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs
Big Invasion (USA)
- Record: 14-8-3-1
- Jockey: D Davis
- Trainer: C Clement
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine
Arzak (USA)
- Record: 23-7-3-1
- Jockey: J Rosario
- Trainer: M Trombetta
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland
Roses For Debra (USA)
- Record: 10-7-1-1
- Jockey: I Ortiz, Jr.
- Trainer: C Clement
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 Caress Stakes at Saratoga
Cogburn (USA)
- Record: 12-6-2-0
- Jockey: R Santana, Jr.
- Trainer: S Asmussen
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga
One Timer (USA)
- Record: 12-7-2-1
- Jockey: E Baird
- Trainer: L Rivelli
- Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs
Noble Reflection (USA)
- Record: 14-4-0-2
- Jockey: M Gutierrez
- Trainer: G Papaprodromou
- Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 2 Eddie D at Santa Anita
Hamwood Flier (USA)
- Record: 9-3-2-1
- Jockey: M Smith
- Trainer: P D’Amato
- Key Race(s): 8th in the Swingtime Stakes at Santa Anita
Aesop’s Fables (Ireland)
- Record: 11-2-2-3
- Jockey: R Moore
- Trainer: A P O’Brien
- Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 1 Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp
Beer Can Man (USA)
- Record: 17-7-3-4
- Jockey: F Prat
- Trainer: P D’Amato
- Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland behind Arzak
Meikei Yell (Japan)
- Record: 17-7-0-0
- Jockey: K Ikezoe
- Trainer: H Take
- Key Race(s): 5th in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama
Lane Way (USA)
- Record: 19-5-6-5
- Jockey: M Smith
- Trainer: R Mandella
- Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Eddie D at Santa Anita
Jasper Krone (Japan)
- Record: 15-6-1-2
- Jockey: T Danno
- Trainer: H Mori
- Key Race(s): 4th in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama
Betting News Horse Racing Coverage
Check out daily horse racing picks and data from Betting News as well as analysis of key stakes card each and every week.
Breeders’ Cup
We will continue to provide extensive coverage of the horse racing world championships in the lead up to the big days. Check back each week for a break down of the various divisions.
The week before the event we will also provide full card analysis and selections for both days.
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