Santa Anita takes center stage this weekend with six Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In races,” while the nation's top-rated horse, Knick's Go, preps at Churchill Downs for an anticipated start in the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic in November. Belmont Park and Paris' Longchamp also host important weekend racing, including “Win and You're In” qualifying races to the Breeders' Cup, as top horses in virtually every division begin their final preparations for the World Championships Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar in California.
Races in this weekend's rundown are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.
TVG will feature racing from Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices. TVG will also be covering the full card from Longchamp on Sunday morning featuring five Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Challenge Series races – the Prix de L'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Turf Sprint), Qatar Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe (Turf), Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Juvenile Turf), Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Juvenile Fillies Turf) and Prix de L'Opera Longines (Juvenile Fillies Turf).
“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live from Belmont Park on Friday, Oct. 1 on FS2 from 12:30 – 5:30 pm; on Saturday, Oct. 2 on FS2 from 12:30 pm – 6:30 pm; and on Sunday, Oct. 3 on FS2 from 12:30 – 4:30 pm., FS1 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm and on FS2 from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday's “America's Day at the Races” will include special coverage of the Qatar Pris de l'Arc de Triomphe on FS2 from 8 – 10:30 am.
Friday, October 1
6:30 PM ET – $200,000 Chandelier Stakes (Grade 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Santa Anita on TVG
Grace Adler looks to keep her perfect two for two record intact as the daughter of Curlin takes on six rivals in this Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Bob Baffert-trained filly won the seven-furlong Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante last out. Indiana-bred Electric Ride, trained by John Sadler, exits an impressive 8 ½ length maiden special weight score in her August 28 debut at Del Mar.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100121USA6-EQB.html
7:00 PM ET – $200,000 Eddie D Stakes (Grade 2T) at Santa Anita on TVG
Racing returns to the Camino Real Hillside Turf Course on Santa Anita's Autumn Meet opening day card with a field of nine in this Grade 2 turf stake. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen ships in Bloom Racing Stables' Snapper Sinclair from the Midwest to face eight rivals, including the lone distaffer and multiple stakes-winning mare Charmaine's Mia.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100121USA7-EQB.html
7:30 PM ET – $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (Grade 1, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Santa Anita on TVG
A Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying event for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the American Pharoah features the Bob Baffert-trained Rockefeller, who is one for one after breaking his maiden in a six-furlong sprint at Del Mar on August 28. The Medaglia d'Oro colt is one of three entered for Baffert, including debut maiden winner Corniche and the twice-placed maiden Flying Drummer.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100121USA8-EQB.html
Saturday, October 2
2:33 PM ET – $200,000 Miss Grillo Stakes (Grade 2T) at Belmont Park on FS
Kentucky-bred Sail By, trained by Leah Gyramati, is the most experienced in the six-horse field of 2-year-old fillies. The daughter of Astern finished third out of four in the off the turf P.G. Johnson Stakes last out at Saratoga. Prior to that race, Sail By finished second in the Colleen Stakes over five furlongs on the Monmouth Park turf course after winning her turf debut on Belmont's inner turf course. Trainer Chad Brown sends out maiden winner McKulick (GB) and maiden Kinchen (IRE), who finished a troubled second at Saratoga in her only start.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100221USA4-EQB.html
4:22 PM ET – $400,000 Lukas Classic (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs on FS2
Maryland-bred Knicks Go, the No. 1 rated horse in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll for eight consecutive weeks and winner this year of the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Whitney (G1), headlines a six-horse field that includes Tacitus and Independence Hall. Trainer Brad Cox is using the Lukas Classic as a prep race for Knicks Go's expected start in the $6 million Longines Breeder's Cup Classic on November 6 at Del Mar.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD100221USA8-EQB.html
4:30 PM ET – $200,000 City of Hope Mile (Grade 2T) at Santa Anita on TVG
Trainer Peter Miller sends out Mo Forza in the compact five-horse City of Hope Mile field. The Kentucky-bred son of Uncle Mo won last year's edition of this one-mile turf contest and has won three consecutive Grade 2 turf stakes in California. Trainer Michael McCarthy's Smooth Like Strait seeks another win to add to his impressive Santa Anita resume where he has won four one-mile turf races.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100221USA3-EQB.html
4:40 PM ET – $500,000 Champagne Stakes (Grade 1, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Belmont Park on FS2
Wit looks to atone for his only loss in three career starts in the Champagne, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying event for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The Kentucky-bred Practical Joke colt stumbled at the start of the Hopeful (G1) in his last start but rallied to finish second to Gunite, who also is entered in this one-turn mile over Belmont's main track. Impressive debut winner Jack Christopher, who earned a lofty 92 Beyer Speed Figure in his only career start, looks to give trainer Chad Brown his third Champagne victory.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100221USA8-EQB.html
5:14 PM ET – $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational (Grade 3T) at Belmont Park on FS2
Piedi Bianchi, the 2020 Indiana Horse of the Year, takes on eight male rivals in this six-furlong turf sprint for trainer Carlos Martin. The Indiana-bred 6-year-old Overanalyze mare won the Smart and Fancy Stakes at Saratoga in her most recent start and is cross-entered in the $150,000 Cardinal at Indiana Grand on October 6. Christophe Clement saddles New York-bred Therapist, a 6-year-old Freud gelding who has won at least one stakes race every year since his 2-year-old season. Clement has trained the winner of three of the previous five Belmont Turf Sprint Invitationals.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100221USA9-EQB.html
5:26 PM ET – $300,000 Ack Ack (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs on FS2
Stonestreet Stables sends out undefeated homebred Beau Liam in the one-mile Ack Ack on the main track. The 3-year-old son of Liam's Map broke his maiden in May at Churchill Downs and collected two allowance wins this summer at Saratoga for trainer Steve Asmussen. Beau Liam is one of only two 3-year-olds in the 11-horse field that also includes graded stakes winners Guest Suite, Mo Mosa, Mr. Dumas, Plainsman and Rushie.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD100221USA10-EQB.html
5:45 PM ET – $500,000 Woodward (Grade 1) at Belmont Park on FS2
A compact field of six will line up for the 68th running of the Grade 1 Woodward, led by Kentucky-bred Maxfield. The 4-year-old Street Sense colt has won three of five starts this year, including two Grade 2 races at Churchill Downs: the Alysheba and Stephen Foster. Trainer Brendan Walsh hopes to secure a second Grade 1 for his charge, who won at the highest level as a 2-year-old in Keeneland's Breeders' Futurity. Code of Honor, a Grade 1 winner in Belmont's Jockey Club Gold Cup as a 3-year-old, looks for his second win in three starts as a 5-year-old for trainer Shug McGaughey. The son of Noble Mission leads the field with lifetime earnings of $2.8 million.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100221USA10-EQB.html
7:00 PM ET – $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (Grade 2, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Santa Anita on TVG
Dr. Schivel aims for a fifth consecutive win in this Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying event for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint. The Kentucky-bred 3-year-old Violence colt closed gamely to take the Bing Crosby (G1) against older horses in his most recent start, a second consecutive win against his elders. C Z Rocket, who won this race in 2020, finished second last out as the favorite in Del Mar's Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2).
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100221USA8-EQB.html
7:30 PM ET – $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes (Grade 1T, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Santa Anita on TVG
Going to Vegas is in search of her third consecutive win when she enters the starting gate for the Rodeo Drive, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifier for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The Richard Baltas-trained 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Goldencents exits her biggest career win in the John C. Mabee (G2) at Del Mar last month. The nine-horse field also includes Mabee runner-up Dogtag, who has finished second in each of her four 2021 starts.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100221USA9-EQB.html
8:00 PM ET – $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes (Grade 1, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Santa Anita on TVG
Florida-bred Medina Spirit returns to Santa Anita, where the 3-year-old colt prepped for his upset win in the Kentucky Derby. The son of Protonico will face older horses for the first time in the Awesome Again, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying event for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Medina Spirit most recently won the Shared Belief Stakes in August, his first start since a third-place finish in the Preakness. Pacific Classic (G1) winner Tripoli and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Idol also are entered in the eight-horse field.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100221USA10-EQB.html
8:30 PM ET – $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship (Grade 2T) at Santa Anita on TVG
A 13-horse field is scheduled to compete in the John Henry Turf Championship, a 1 ¼ mile turf contest that features the winner of last year's running, United. The Richard Mandella-trained Kentucky-bred Giant's Causeway gelding has two wins and two fourth place finishes in five starts since. Chilean-bred Master Piece will make his second start for trainer Michael McCarthy, following a fast closing second in the Del Mar Handicap (G2) in August.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100221USA11-EQB.html
Sunday, October 3
2:36 PM ET – $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes (Grade 2T) at Belmont Park on FS2
Undefeated Annapolis, trained by Todd Pletcher, takes on stakes company for the first time in the 43rd running of the Grade 2T Pilgrim Stakes going 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf at Belmont Park. The Pilgrim winner has won three of the last five winners of the Grade 1T Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100321USA4-EQB.html
4:44 PM ET – $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes (Grade 3T) at Belmont Park on FS2
Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown will send out defending champ My Sister Nat along with Orglandes in Sunday's Grade 3, $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya, an 11-furlong inner turf test for fillies and mares, at Belmont Park.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100321USA8-EQB.html
5:16 PM ET – $400,000 Frizette Stakes (Grade 1, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Belmont Park on FS2
Winchell Thoroughbreds and L and N Racing's Echo Zulu will try to cement her status as the top juvenile filly on the East Coast in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes. The Frizette is a “Win And You're In” qualifying event offering an automatic entry into the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 5 at Del Mar.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100321USA9-EQB.html
6:00 PM ET – $100,000 Chillingworth Stakes (Grade 3) at Santa Anita on TVG
Multiple Grade I winner Ce Ce heads a field of six fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs in the Chillingworth, named for the late Sherwood C. Chillingworth, a highly respected longtime director and Executive Vice President of the Oak Tree Racing Association, which conducted a fall meeting at Santa Anita from 1969 through 2009.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100321USA5-EQB.html
8:00 PM ET – $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes (Grade 2, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Santa Anita on TVG
The Bob Baffert-trained Private Mission, originally scheduled to run in the Grade I Cotillion Stakes near Philadelphia Sept. 25, will take on older competition for the first time on Sunday as she bids for her third consecutive win in the Zenyatta. Named in honor of racing's 2010 Eclipse Horse of the Year, the Zenyatta, which has attracted a field of eight fillies and mares three and up, will be contested at a mile and one sixteenth.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA100321USA9-EQB.html
6:12 PM ET – $150,000 Ontario Fashion Stakes (Grade 3) at Woodbine on TVG
Boardroom, a multiple graded stakes winner who is undefeated in two starts this season, takes on a wide-open field of seven in the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion Stakes at Woodbine. Summer Sunday, the 2019 Canadian Champion Sprinter and an earner of nearly $700,000, also is entered in the six-furlong dash.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO100321CAN10-EQB.html
The post NTRA Stakes Rundown: Breeders’ Cup ‘Win And You’re In’ Races Take Center Stage appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
