The Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf features a field of 13 three year-old colts set to go a mile and a sixteenth on the turf Saturday, November 15 at Churchill Downs in the first of two ultra-competitive graded stakes events both part of the late pick four sequence.
Heart to Heart is the 8/5 morning line favorite after dominating the Better Talk Now Stakes and Grade 3 Jefferson Cup in his last two starts. The front-running son of English Channel won by three lengths in the Better Talk Now at Saratoga and four lengths in the Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs without a serious challenge at any point in either race. The Brian Lynch trainee has excelled on turf with three wins in four lifetime starts despite an overall record sullied by a one for seven record on synthetic surfaces. Under the patient hands of Julien Leaparoux, Heart to Heart might simply prove too fast for this field.
If Other Cheek (12/1) challenges Heart to Heart early, things could get interesting in a field with several capable closers. Highball (10/1) has shown a consistent late turn of foot and still has plenty of room to improve in start number six for trainer Wayne Catalano. Highball was an impressive winner last out at Kentucky Downs against high-priced allowance foes.
Bashart (6/1) will have to overcome the 13th post position, but has shown good tactical speed in his last three starts – all in graded stakes company. The Michael Matz trainee will be turning back in distance after racing at a mile and an eighth in his last two starts.
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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