One of the most important days regarding Breeders’ Cup prep races happens on Saturday. Over at Aqueduct, the Grade 1 Champagne and the Grade 1 Woodward take place. Then at Santa Anita, it’s the Grade 1 Awesome Again. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, October 1st. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds, Picks, and Betting Analysis | September 26th Edition

Aqueduct | Saturday, Oct. 1

• Grade 1 Champagne – 1 mile dirt – 2 year olds

Grade 1 Hopeful winner Forte leads a strong field into the east coast’s top prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The Todd Pletcher runner will go off the favorite. 

Brad Cox trained Verifying and Gulfport from the Steve Asmussen barn will also attract action. Andiamo a Firenze, Blazing Sevens, Free Soul, and Champions Dreams should also run.

• Grade 1 Woodward – 1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds & up

Pletcher trained Life Is Good will enter the Woodward starting gate a less than even money chalk. It will be very difficult for any of Life Is Good’s challengers to beat the monster front runner.

Robertino Diodoro puts the saddle on Thomas Shelby. Connections for Twilight Blue, Law Professor, and Informative plan on running their horses. 

Santa Anita | Saturday, Oct. 1

• Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship – 1 ¼ miles turf – 3 year olds & up

Connections for 10 horses plan on running their charges in the Grade 2 John Henry. Trainer Phil D’Amato will saddle four: Cash Equity, Prince Abama, Cathkin Peak, and Gold Phoenix.

Trainer Neil Drysdale will have a couple of runners in the John Henry, Breakpoint and Viejos Tiempos. Tropical Terror, Dicey Mo Chara, Avenue, and possible chalk Beyond Brilliant should also break from the starting gate.   

• Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship – 6 furlongs dirt – 3 year olds & up

Seven runners are likely for the Sprint Championship. Forbidden Kingdom, from the Richard Mandella barn, projects as the race favorite.

Peter Miller trained duo None Above the Law and CZ Rocket should go off second and third choice. Todo Fino, Super Ocho, and Principe Carlo will also run. 

• Grade 2 Eddie D – 6 ½ furlongs turf – 3  year olds & up

The Eddie D is this weekend’s most popular graded stakes race. Already, trainers for 14 have said they plan on running their equines.

No doubt, the two favorites will be Gregorian Chant from the Phil D’Amato barn and Steve Miyadi trained Lieutenant Dan. Other name runners include Lane Way, Nero, and Air Force Red.  

• Grade 1 Awesome Again – 1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds & up

Because John Sadler will train Flightline up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, this week’s Awesome Again Stakes is wide open. Country Grammar, Tripoli, Royal Ship, and Express Train lead a decent field in the Grade 1 Awesome Again. 

Bob Baffert, who trains Country Grammar, will also saddle High Connection and Azul Coast. Doug O’Neil plans on running Slow Down Andy. Make sure to handicap every horse before deciding on the winner. 

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