Another weekend brings with it some exciting horse racing action across the United States. Meetings at Del Mar, Monmouth Park and Saratoga are set to take place this weekend, with markets available with the leading horse racing sportsbooks. But, which selections could have the best chance of winning their respective races?
Bing Crosby Stakes (Grade 1)
Breeders’ Cup Challenge action will take centre stage at Del Mar this weekend, as the Bing Crosby Stakes takes place over six furlongs. The winning runner in the race will be entered into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and there is a talented field set to go to post.
Collusion Illusion has leading claims after winning this race 12 months ago, and returned to the track with a third in the Malibu. The four-year-old has won five of his nine career starts, and could be tough to oppose. Flagstaff could also have claims after finishing second in the True North last time out.
However our pick is for C Z Rocket. The seven-year-old is the most consistent horse in the field having placed in the top two in all of his last nine starts. After winning the Hot Springs and Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, he was stepped up to a mile in the Steve Sexton, and finished second. Going back to six furlongs makes him the outstanding selection.
Pick: C Z Rocket
Monmouth Oaks (Grade 3)
Next, we travel to Monmouth Park for the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks. The best three-year-old fillies will be in action in this race over 1 1/16 miles, which has been won by greats including Gallant Bloom and Dark Mirage in the past.
This year’s renewal of the race isn’t as illustrious, but that does make for a compelling betting race. Allworthy and Coppelia both won allowance races last time out. Meanwhile, Orbs Baby Girl and She A Hot Mess will be hoping to bounce back after finishing sixth and fifth in the Delaware Oaks respectively.
However, we will be taking a chance of Oliviaofthedesert. She has been the most consistent of the horses involved, and has more track experience than many of her rivals. She was most recent second in the Weber City Miss over the 1 1/16 mile distance, while she finished fourth in the Honeybee behind Will’s Secret and Pauline’s Pearl.
Pick: Oliviaofthedesert
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 1)
Saratoga hosts a competitive looking Grade 1 on Saturday, as horses compete over six furlongs in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap. There are a host of graded winners set to line up in this race, including recent Smile Sprint Handicap winner, Miles Ahead.
Chance It was second in that race, and looks difficult to suggest that the form can be reversed. The winner of this looks to be a shootout between Whitmore, Firenze Dire and Mischevious Alex.
Our preference would be for the latter, as the four-year-old looks to bounce back after finishing third in the Metropolitan. He has already won two graded races this year in the forms of the G1 Carter Handicap and G3 Gulfstream Park Sprint.
Free Pick: Mischevious Alex
