There is a brilliant weekend of horse racing action, with thrilling contests in both the United States and United Kingdom. But, which picks should be made using the best horse racing sportsbooks for the biggest races that are staged over the coming days?
Coaching Club American Oaks (Grade 1)
The most illustrious race in the United States this weekend takes place at Saratoga, as the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks takes place. This race is run on the dirt over 1 1/8 miles, and there is a very clear favorite in the betting already.
Todd Pletcher has recorded seven winners in the American Oaks, and his leading chance Malathaat looks to be the one to beat this weekend. The three-year-old has a perfect 5-0 record throughout her career, and is looking like the best filly in training this season.
She most recent won the K1 Kentucky Oaks, beating Search Results by a neck. Crazy Beautiful’s absence in this race will likely mean that Malathaat goes off shorter, but she is an incredibly hard horse to oppose in this Grade 1. Clairie has registered a quicker time over 1 1/16 miles this season in defeat, but this looks to be too great of a challenge.
Pick: Malathaat
Eddie Read Stakes (Grade 2)
Next we move to the home of the Breeders’ Cup this year, as the Eddie Read Stakes takes place over 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The Grade 2 looks a tricky one to predict this year, with United looking to join elite company and become a two-time winner of the race. The Richard Mandella-trained horse is one from two so far this year, having won the G3 San Luis Rey. However, he was back in fourth on his last start in the G2 Charles Whittingham.
Smoothlikestrait boasts the best form coming into this, after winning the G1 Shoemaker on his last start. However, he is still one from three this season. The pick would be for Say The Word, for trainer Phillip D’Amato. One win in four this season, but progressing nicely. His win came in the G2 Elkhorn, where he achieved a career-best speed figure of 117.
However, he was beaten by Smoothlikestrait by a length and a half in the Shoemaker. Regardless, we will give him the benefit of the doubt to return to form this weekend over 1 1/8 miles.
Pick: Say The Word
King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1)
The potential race of the season so far takes place at Ascot on Saturday, as leading horses in training compete over one mile and three furlongs on the turf. This prestigious Group 1 has attracted a stellar list of entrants once again this year, and it is also a Breeders’ Cup Turf ‘Win and You’re In’.
Aidan O’Brien has an excellent record in this race, and he will be hoping that continues this weekend with Love. Love returned for the first time this year with a win in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, and looked to be in very good condition. The four-year-old enjoyed a stellar three-year-old season, winning the 1,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks, and could be a safe bet to continue the excellent record that fillies have in this race.
Adayar is the Epsom Derby winner of 2021, and will be looking to end a 20-year wait for the illustrious double to be achieved. Mishriff’s biggest victories have come away from the United Kingdom, with success in the G1 Sheema Classic being the biggest, and can’t be ignored.
Lone Eagle, with Frankie Dettori onboard will be a popular selection and looks to have every chance after finishing second in the Irish Derby. Broome also can’t be ignored after ending his wait for a Group 1 success in the Saint Cloud. However, it is hard to ignore the power of Love.
Pick: Love
