2022 Top Stakes to Bet On: 3 Great Races at Churchill, and More Highlights Weekend

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Arlington Park is no more, but that doesn’t mean horse racing won’t run the top races at the former track. On Saturday, Churchill Downs runs the Secretariat, Beverly D., and Arlington Million. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, August 13th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds, Picks, and Betting Analysis | August 8th Edition

Top Stakes Races for the Week

When: Saturday, August 13

Saratoga

Grade 2 Saratoga Special – 6 ½ furlongs dirt – 2 year olds

Steve Asmussen trained Gulfport won the Bashford Manor in his last. There’s no way the Uncle Mo sired runner doesn’t go off the chalk in this. Second choice could be Bashford Manor place finisher Own’s Leap. Valenzan Day, Super Chow, and Damon’s Mound will also run.

Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap – 1 mile turf – 3 year olds & up

Cristophe Clement trained City Man won the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple in July. The Clement runner will attract plenty of action. Chad Brown will saddle a couple in here, Masen and Regal Glory. Of the two, Regal Glory will get the most love. Glory has won four straight, including a couple of grade 1 events. Connections for Casa Creed and Get Smokin also plan on running.

Churchill Downs

Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes – 1 mile turf – 3 year olds

Right now, no horse is confirmed for the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes. The purse is massive, though, so plenty of runners will enter the starting gate. Past winners include Oscar Performance, Beach Patrol, Valid Point, Carrick, and Highland Reel. Expect enough horses to enter to make the Secretariat Stakes one of the most competitive on Churchill’s Saturday card. So do your handicapping before settling on a winner or your key horse.

Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes – 1 1/8 miles turf – fillies & mares

Annually, the Beverly D. is one of the most important preps for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. 2022 is no different. Five female horses are confirmed, including Dalika from the Albert Stall Jr. barn. Brendan Walsh trained Family Way, Princess Grace from the Michael Stidham barn, George Leonard III trained California Angel, and Graham H. Motion runner Crystal Cliffs will also enter the starting gate.

Grade 1 Arlington Million – 1 1/8 miles turf – 3 year olds & up

Six horses are confirmed. If no other horses enter, the two that will attract the most action are Brad Cox trained Set Piece and Smooth Like Strait from the Mike McCarthy barn. Set Piece won the Grade 2 Dinner Party a couple of races ago. Smooth Like Strait finished second in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in his last. Connections for Field Pass, Santin, Cavalry Charge, and Admission Office also plan on entering.

Del Mar

Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap – 1 1/16 miles turf – fillies & mares

At least eight will run in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap. Paul D’Amato will saddle four, including likely favorite Going to Vegas. D’Amato’s other runners include Going Global, Burgoo Alley, and Fearless Girl. Claude McGaughey ships Grade 3 Eatontown winner Stolen Holiday to the west coast. Park Avenue, Flippant, and Avenue de France should also enter the starting gate.

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