Welcome to Noel Michaels’ Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple of highlighted selections designed to help you cash a few bets and make some money.
Month: August 2025
Sovereignty, Sierra Leone Top First 2025 Poll of Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders
Each week a panel of media members, horseplayers, and Breeders’ Cup World Championships officials release a poll tabulating their votes on the nation's top contenders for the 2025 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. The rankings are a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention and are determined by each voter ranking their top 10 horses with points assigned on a descending 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Where to Watch/Listen: Horse Racing Coverage Aug. 6-10
After a very busy week in horse racing covering racing, conferences, ceremonies, and sales, this week the spotlight focuses on Saratoga Race Course (again) and also Colonial Downs for some important contests including one Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier.
Cairo the One to Beat in Arlington Million Stakes
The Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs drew a fairly strong field of eight, led by 2024 Million runner-up Integration, who comes into the race off a narrow loss in the Grade 1 Resorts
