Top Stakes to Bet On: G1 Pegasus World Cup, 2 Kentucky Derby Prep Races & More

This weekend, one of the most important races of the year takes place when horses throw down at the 2023 Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup. Also on Saturday, a Kentucky Derby prep race happens, the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn. Then on Sunday, the San Vicente, another Derby prep, takes place at Santa Anita Park. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, January 28th to Sunday, January 29th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds, Picks, and Betting Analysis for Saturday | Jan. 23rd Edition

Oaklawn Park | Saturday, Jan. 28

Grade 3 Southwest Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year olds

Most early entrants for the Grade 3 Southwest hail from either the Kenny McPeek or the Brad Cox barns. McPeek saddles Sun Thunder and Frosted Departure.

Cox is likely to saddle three, Jace’s Road, Hit Show, and Corona Bolt. Other entrants include Protégé from the Ron Moquett barn, and D. Wayne Lukas trained Bourbon Bash.

Santa Anita Park | Saturday, Jan. 28

Grade 3 Las Virgenes – 1 mile dirt – 3 year old fillies

Trainers Doug O’Neil and Bob Baffert have strong hands. O’Neil plans on running three in the Las Virgenes: Satin Doll, Pride of the Nile, and Broadway Girls.

Baffert will run a couple, Fast And Shiny and Faiza. Richard Mandella plans on running Coffee in Bed and Ice Dancing. The favorite could end up Mike McCarthy trained Uncontrollable.

Gulfstream Park | Saturday, Jan. 28

Grade 3 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf – 1 1/16 miles turf – 4 year olds and up

Wakanaka, Sweet Enough, Shantisara, and Queen Goddess headline what promises to be a terrific running of the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf.

Other entrants include Perseverancia, Mona Stella and Lady Rockstar. Albert Stall trained Dalika and Artie’s Princess from the Saffie Joseph barn will attract action.

Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational – 1 1/8 miles turf – 4 year olds and up

Todd Pletcher trained Wit and Mark Casse trained Who’s The Star should attract the most action. Horseplayers also project to back Ivar, who finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in the last, Master Piece, and Lady Speightspere. City Man and Speaking Scout will also get some play.

Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup – 1 1/18 miles dirt – 4 year olds and up

No doubt, this is one of the most competitive runnings of the Pegasus World Cup in history. Most believe morning line favoritism will fall on Saffie Joseph Jr. trained White Abbario.

Abbario absolutely loves Gulfstream Park. Second choice could be west coast invader Stilleto Boy. Skippylongstocking, Simplification, Ridin With Biden, and Proxy will attract action.

Santa Anita Park | Sunday, Jan. 29

Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – 3 year olds

Like in most runnings of the San Vicente, trainer Bob Baffert has the strongest hand. Bob puts the saddle on for sure chalk Speed Boat Beach, which finished first in the Grade 3 Cecille B. DeMille in his last. If Speed Boat Beach doesn’t go off the chalk, Havnameltdown or Nullarbor, a couple of other Baffert runners, will.

Man Child and Helladic, both from the Ryan Hanson barn, will attract some dollars. Baffert may run five more: Arabian Lion, Faustin, Fort Warren, Gilmore, and Hard to Figure.