The Breeders’ Cup hangover continues this week, which is why just two graded stakes happen. On Saturday, Churchill Downs runs the Grade 3 Chilukki Stakes. Then on Sunday, Del Mar runs the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, November 19th to Sunday, November 20th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds, Picks, and Betting Analysis | November 14th Edition

Aqueduct | Saturday, Nov. 19

• Gio Ponti Stakes – 1 1/6 miles turf – 3 year olds

The Gio Ponti often produces a well-regarded four-year-old turf runner. In 2019, Temple beat Kadar and Halladay. The following year, City Man, who continues to run in stakes as a 5-year-old, beat Bodecream and Price Talk. Then last year, Todd Pletcher trained Never Surprised beat Safe Conduct and Gussy Mac. No doubt, the 2022 Gio Ponti Stakes will be a competitive affair.   

Churchill Downs | Saturday, Nov. 19

• Grade 3 Chilukki Stakes – 1 mile dirt – 3 & up fillies and mares

Chilukki was one heck of a racehorse. The Bob Baffert trainee finished second behind Cash Run at the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. 

The race named after Chilukki has already attracted three runners: Brad Cox trained Coach, Liberty M.D. from the Ian Wilkes’ barn, and Philip Bauer trained Mariah’s Princess. No doubt more horses than three will join the starting gate. 

Del Mar | Saturday, Nov. 19

• Cary Grant Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – 3 & up fillies and mares

Solid Wager won this twice, in 2015 and 2018. In 2019, Fashionably Fast, a horse for course runner at Del Mar, took the top prize. 2020 saw Loudmouth win and then in 2020, Principe Carlo took home the winner’s share. 

This year, we should expect an ultra-competitive event. There are plenty of fast fillies at Del Mar that quality for the Cary Grant. 

• Desi Arnaz Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – 2 year old fillies

Some talented fillies have won the Desi Arnaz. Bob Baffert saddled Eda to a victory in 2021.

In 2020, Astute beat Queengol and Heels Up.  Del Mar ran the Desi Arnaz at 6 ½ furlongs in 2019. The winner, Leucothea, upset Mike McCarthy trained Stellar Sound. Which 2-year-old will stamp herself as a turf horse to watch in 2023? Check out the Desi Arnaz on Saturday to find out.  

Aqueduct | Sunday, Nov. 20

• Forever Together Stakes – 1 1/6 miles turf – 3 & up fillies and mares

Some talented fillies have won the Forever Together stakes. Penjade took the race in 2017, Bombshell won in 2018, and Adina del Sur won in 2019.

2020 winner Feel Glorious, a Cristophe Clement runner, moved on to graded stakes races. Claude “Shug” McGaughey saddled Flower Point to a win in this last year. Clement and McGaughey should each have at least 1 runner going in the 2022 Forever Together Stakes.  

Del Mar | Sunday, Nov. 20

• Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – 2 year olds

Bing Crosby founded Del Mar. Crosby wanted a place for he and his buddy Bob Hope to hang out at. Bing didn’t like Palm Springs.

So there’s history behind the Bob Hope Stakes. The race has also produces some talented 3-year-olds like Messier, who won in 2021, Red Flag, who took the Bob Hope in 2020, and Mastery, who won in 2016.

No doubt, one of Bob Baffert’s top 2-year-olds will enter the starting gate on Sunday. Richard Mandella, Mike McCarthy, and Peter Miller are other west coast based trainers who might enter a runner or two in the race. 

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