The inaugural running of the $250,000 Empire Distaff looks to be a lively betting affair with ten fillies and mares signed on to contest the mile and a sixteenth race on the main track at Belmont Park October 18.
Michael Hushion trains the 5/2 morning line favorite in Princess Violet who exits a sharp allowance score sprinting at Belmont Park on October 5. Princess Violet looks plenty fast enough, but the route distance remains a question mark for the three year-old daughter of Officer who has raced beyond six and a half furlongs just once in her career, running a distant second in the grade 1 Mother Goose behind superstar Untapable. Princess Violet did beat her elders in her last start, but can she do so again while facing better horses at a distance seemingly beyond her comfort zone? Many handicappers will take a skeptical view of Princess Violet at less than generous odds.
Carameaway and Dreaming of Cara (7/2) will race as a coupled entry for trainer Mitchell Friedman and owner Richard Greeley. Carameaway appears to be the stronger of the two horses and has found her best form lately winning the Saratoga Dew Stakes and an allowance race at Belmont in her last two starts earning Beyer Speed Figures of 82 and 88 respectively. Carameaway also posted a bullet work – the fastest of 67 runners – October 13 at Belmont in preparation for this start.
Carameaway should be able to sit behind Princess Violet and engage that runner in the stretch in what could be a race without any viable closers to consider.
Saturday, January 29 at Gulfstream Park is one of the biggest races of the year: the Pegasus World Cup (G1)! This $3 million race, covering a mile and an eighth on the Gulfstream dirt track, drew a field of nine handicap horses. The eyes of the racing world will be on Gulfstream on Saturday, and you can bet it from the comfort of your own home here in Canada!
The Kentucky Derby trail makes its way to Oklahoma on Friday, December 17 for the Remington Springboard Mile! The race drew a field of nine up-and-coming two-year-olds to go a mile on the main track. The prizes are rich: a $400,000 purse, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1) for the first four horses across the wire.
The Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), California’s most important Kentucky Derby Prep in December, is coming up on Saturday, December 11! The race features the most promising two-year-olds in California, set to go a mile and a sixteenth over the dirt at Los Alamitos Racecourse. The race offers a purse of $300,000, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points, apportioned 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
Let's have a look at the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf betting picks and predictions.
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