Top Stakes to Bet On: G3 Sham, 5 Other Great Races for Weekend Action

Only one graded stakes race happens this weekend, the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita. But just because there’s a single graded race, it doesn’t mean there aren’t isn’t any terrific stakes action happening on Saturday. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, January 7th to Sunday, January 8th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds, Picks, and Betting Analysis | January 2nd Edition

Fair Grounds | Saturday, Jan. 7

Bob F. Memorial Stakes – 6 furlongs dirt – 4 year old fillies & mares

Trainer Jose Camejo will saddle a pair of contenders. Ova Charged and Spirited Beauty both have a shot to run into the winner’s circle.

Winning Romance from the Bret Calhoun barn projects as the chalk. Other possible entrants include Free Like A Girl and Snowball.

Louisiana Champions Day Turf Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – 4 year olds & up

Bret Calhoun trained Who Took the Money will attract action. But the favorite should be Ballinonabudjet from the Brad Cox barn.

The Sky Kingdom sired 5-year-old gelding could go off even money or less. Smarty Alex, City Park, and Maga Man should also run. So will a pair trained by Jeff Delhomme, Touchuponastar and Play Mo

Gulfstream Park | Saturday, Jan. 7

Dania Beach Stakes – 1 mile turf – 3 year olds

Todd Pletcher trained Major Dude returns to the grass for the Dania Beach Stakes. The Dude should go off the chalk.

Second choice figures to fall to Worthington from the Mike Maker barn. Graham Motion trained Suzak will get some looks. So will Congruent trained by Antonio Sano and Arnold Delacour trained Candidate.

Ginger Brew Stakes – 1 mile turf – 3 year old fillies

Two runners will attract the most action. Anna Karenine from the Chad Brown barn will go off the favorite. Todd Pletcher trained Cairo Consort will go off the second choice.

Other runners include Isabel Alexandra trained by Gustavo Delgado and Erna from the Cherie Devaux barn. The Delgado and Devaux runners have a shot but the Brown and Pletcher runners must take a backward step for either to win.

Oaklawn Park | Saturday, Jan. 7

Pippin Stakes – 1 1/6 miles dirt – 4 year old fillies & mares

Coach, trained by Brad Cox, projects as the chalk. There are other contenders, including Lovely Ride from the Robertino Diodoro barn.

Wayne Lukas will saddle a pair of equines in Forever Dreaming and Will’s Secret. Misty Veil from the Mike Maker barn will attract plenty of action. Other possible entrants include Family Time, Ice Orchid, and Le da Vida.

Santa Anita Park | Sunday, Jan. 8

Grade 3 – Sham Stakes – 1 mile dirt – 3 year olds

Trainer Bob Baffert might saddle nine runners in the Grade 3 Sham on Saturday. Of the nine, Havnameltdown should offer favorite’s odds.

If the other eight go, they will attract action, but it won’t be close to what Havnameltdown will attract. In fact, no other runner will come close to Havnameltdown’s low odds. So if you prefer another horse, you’ll get a decent price.