In about three weeks, the best horses in the world descend upon Del Mar to run in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. The final preps for this year’s Breeders’ Cup happened over the weekend. Which horses displayed the talent required to win their BC race? Check out top plays, Horse Racing Odds and the latest news in our 2021 Breeders’ Cup Betting update. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Letruska Won Her 5th Straight Race and Heads to the Breeder’s Cup As Clear Favorite
2021 Breeders’ Cup
- When: Friday, Nov. 5 – Saturday, Nov. 6
Letruska destroys the Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster Field
Fausto Gutierrez trained Letruska won her fifth straight graded race on Sunday. The Super Saver sired mare got an easy lead in the Grade 1 Spinster and never looked back.
The future hall of fame mare should be the likeliest winner at this year’s Breeders’ Cup. That is, she’s the likeliest winner if she runs in the Distaff and not the Classic.
No doubt, Letruska can run 1 ¼ miles. But she’s a front runner who is likely to face Brad Cox trained Knicks Go in the Classic. There’s no way Letruska keeps up with Knicks Go, which is why Fausto will likely enter Letruska in the Distaff.
Bell’s the One and Golden Pal win stakes
A couple of other horses stamped themselves as possible Breeders’ Cup entrants. Bell’s the One took the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland.
Bell ran into a super-fast pace and held off Club Car and Estilo Talentoso for the victory. The Neil Pessin trained miss won’t go off the chalk in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint if Bob Baffert’s Gamine runs. But she should offer decent odds and if you think a horse softens up Bob’s beast, she might be the play.
Golden Pal could offer lesser odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint than Letruska offers to win the BC Distaff. The Wesley Ward runner won his fourth race in his last five.
Pal’s only loss in the last the five was in the Grade 1 Nurthrope at York versus monsters Winter Power, Emaraaty Ana and Dragon Symbol. None of those European stars plan on racing in the Turf Sprint.
The Ward runner should take the lead at Del Mar, which is known to have a fast grass course, and go gate to wire.
Royal Flag wins the Beldame
Chad Brown trained Royal Flag won the Grade 1 Beldame Invitational. Brown has yet to say whether he will run Flag against Letruska in the BC Distaff.
The two bumped head in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga over the summer. Letruska held on to finish first, Bonny South finished second, and Royal Flag clocked in at third.
Flag is a closer, which means for her to have any shot of catching Letruska, another horse must throw down with the Distaff chalk from the outset. If that doesn’t happen, Royal Flag will have a tough time.
So Chad is probably going to wait to see if Letruska will face pressure in the Distaff before announcing Royal Flag’s next race.
Special Reserve holds off Aloha West to win the Grade 2 Phoenix
The final sprint prep of the year provided a couple of BC Sprint contenders. Special Reserve and Aloha West both ran terrific in the Grade 2 Phoenix.
Special Reserve is a serious race horse. The Mike Maker trained runner ran right off a 21.90 quarter mile and 44.69 half. The talented runner had enough left in the tank to hold off top closing sprinter Aloha West.
In the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, both Special Reserve and Aloha West could get a fantastic setup. Jackie’s Warrior will grab the lead early, but there will be plenty of pace on for Special Reserve to track and for Aloha West to close into.
We’ll have to wait to see who exactly enters into the BC Sprint. Right now, a repeat finish of the Grade 2 Phoenix looks promising.
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Kentucky Derby | Grade I race
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Race information
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km) |
| Record | 1:59.40, Secretariat (1973,1+1⁄4 miles) 2:34.50, Spokane (1889,1+1⁄2 miles) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track |
Left-handed |
| Qualification | 3-year-old |
| Weight | Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg) Filly: 121 lb (55 kg) |
| Purse | US$3 million 1st: $1,860,000 |
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