Are you ready! It’s Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Del Mar — the biggest day of the year for horseplayers and racing fans across the globe. These are the races that define legends and make dreams (and sometimes fortunes) come true. The fields are deep, the pools are massive, and we’ve got opinions worth playing. Let’s dive in and make it count.
Race 4 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Picks
- #8 Hope Road
- #6 Sweet Azteca
- #4 Tamara
Longshots: #1 Zeitlos, #5 Fee Blanche, #9 Richi
Hope Road (#8) has the look of a filly coming into her best race at the perfect time. Her outside draw allows Jose Ortiz to stalk and strike at will, and she’s shown the kind of power finish that wins this event. Sweet Azteca (#6) owns serious speed and figures to be right there turning for home, while Tamara (#4) brings Grade 1 class and poise — she’s too talented to leave out. Zeitlos (#1) and Richi (#9) are the two price plays who can clunk up late if the pace melts.
Race 5 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Picks
- #1 Motorious (GB)
- #3 Arizona Blaze (GB)
- #8 Ag Bullet
Longshots: #4 Khaadem (GB), #12 Invincible Papa (GB)
Motorious (#1) is a proven Del Mar specialist with a devastating late turn of foot. If he gets a clean trip from the rail, he’ll be rolling down the lane. Arizona Blaze (#3) is an honest Euro sprinter who should be in the right spot throughout, and Ag Bullet (#8) is the pace threat who could wire them if she catches a flyer. Khaadem (#4) has veteran European class and finishing punch, and Invincible Papa (#12) adds late value to deeper tickets.
Race 6 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Picks
- #10 Bentornato
- #1 Kopion
- #7 Imagination
Longshots: #2 Banishing, #6 Dr. Venkman, #12 Straight No Chaser
Bentornato (#10) checks every box — speed, consistency, and the right running style for this setup. If he breaks alertly, he’s the one to beat. Kopion (#1) breaks sharply and has enough natural speed to secure position from the rail but does her best work sitting just off the leaders. Her tactical style and versatility make her a serious threat if the front-runners overdo it early. Imagination (#7) is an improving Baffert colt who loves a fight. Banishing (#2) and Dr. Venkman (#6) are both capable of spicing up exotics if the top pair hook up too soon.
Race 7 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Picks
- #8 Seismic Beauty
- #1 Nitrogen
- #12 Dorth Vader
Longshots: #2 Sarawak Rim, #3 Clicquot, #4 Scylla, #5 Scottish Lassie, #6 Alice Verite
Seismic Beauty (#8) has been training like a mare sitting on a monster effort, and her tactical speed gives her a big edge in a race without much early pace. Nitrogen (#1) has the grinding style that plays well over this surface and looks primed for a breakthrough. Dorth Vader (#12) is game and versatile, and Johnny V knows how to work out a trip from the parking lot. Clicquot (#3) and Scylla (#4) are upward movers with a shot to land in the frame if things get hot late.
Race 8 Breeders’ Cup Turf Picks
- #8 Minnie Hauk (IRE)
- #1 Rebel’s Romance (GB)
- #3 Amiloc (GB)
Longshots: #6 Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB), #9 Gold Phoenix (IRE), #10 El Cordobes (FR), #2 Goliath (GER)
Minnie Hauk (#8) comes off a huge Arc performance and gets a lovely setup here. She’s lightly raced, improving, and receives a weight break from the older males — a dangerous combination. Rebel’s Romance (#1) is the old pro who brings his game every time, while Amiloc (#3) could be the “forgotten Euro” with the right trip to shock them. Wimbledon Hawkeye (#6) and Gold Phoenix (#9) have the class to run into the bottom of exotics, while Goliath (#2) adds sneaky German stamina and shouldn’t be ignored at a big price.
Race 9 Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks
- #5 Forever Young (JPN)
- #7 Sierra Leone
- #3 Nevada Beach
Longshots: #1 Fierceness, #2 Baeza, #8 Mindframe, #9 Journalism
Forever Young (#5) has been training like a horse on a mission. His tactical speed and relentless stamina make him a legitimate threat to give Japan its first Classic victory. Sierra Leone (#7) will be charging late if the pace gets hot, while Nevada Beach (#3) continues to impress and could sit the perfect pressing trip for Baffert. Fierceness (#1) brings raw ability and could hang around for a piece, and both Baeza (#2) and Mindframe (#8) have the upside to blow up exotic payouts.
Race 10 Breeders’ Cup Mile Picks
- #2 Notable Speech (GB)
- #5 Program Trading
- #11 Rhetorical
Longshots: #4 The Lion in Winter (IRE), #7 Johannes, #9 Argine (GB), #10 Jonquil
Notable Speech (#2) looks ready to remind the world why he’s one of Appleby’s best milers — the talent is there, and this is his course to prove it. Program Trading (#5) has the kind of consistency and grit that makes him dangerous in any field, while Rhetorical (#11) could sit a perfect trip behind the speed and pounce. The Lion in Winter (#4) and Argine (#9) are Europeans who add value to wider plays.
Race 11 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Picks
- #3 Nysos
- #6 Full Serrano (ARG)
- #10 White Abarrio
Longshots: #2 Goal Oriented, #4 Mystik Dan, #5 Tumbarumba
Nysos (#3) is a legitimate star who owns every advantage — pace, class, and conditioning. He should control this race from start to finish. Full Serrano (#6) is the wild card from Argentina who could pick up pieces if the top choice falters late, while White Abarrio (#10) is too classy to overlook for a placing. Mystik Dan (#4) and Tumbarumba (#5) offer sneaky underneath value.
Race 12 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf Picks
- #6 Diamond Rain (GB)
- #9 Cinderella’s Dream (GB)
- #13 She Feels Pretty
Longshots: #4 Village Voice (IRE), #5 Gezora (FR), #11 Bedtime Story (IRE), #14 See The Fire (GB)
Diamond Rain (#6) was brilliant in defeat at Woodbine and looks ready to deliver a career-defining performance. Cinderella’s Dream (#9) gets the right trip and has the class to turn the tables this time around, while She Feels Pretty (#13) is North America’s top turf filly and a major player if she saves ground. Village Voice (#4), Gezora (#5), and Bedtime Story (#11) bring Euro stamina, while See The Fire (#14) is the hidden value from the Appleby barn that could surprise if the pace sets up.
It’s Breeders’ Cup Saturday — the best horses in the world, the brightest lights, and a chance for big scores. Trust your instincts, play with confidence, and enjoy every minute of it.
Good Luck!
