The Breeders’ Stakes takes place this weekend with nine runners confirmed as entered for the Grade 1 race with a $400,000 prize purse for the winner in one of the marquee horse racing events of the year.
The final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown with the first two legs already taking place, we’ll see some of the best horses over this one-and-a-half-mile distance in the world compete with each other for the big purse and the honor of going down in history.
We’ll preview the field for you and break down each runner before giving you our best free horse racing picks for the event to see if we can earn you some extra cash this weekend.
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Trainer Julia Carey sent out Lac Macaza to be fourth, beaten just half a length in the Toronto Cup at one mile on turf on Sept. 10 and this bay colt is a Breeders’ contender.
The son of Giant Gizmo is owned by Discovery Racing and Goldie Stables.
From seven races this season he has won three times and earned one place finish, but in the last three races he’s finished seventh of eight runners, seventh of nine runners and most recently fourth of ten races so he’s not in great form. Might be worth an outside bet though.
Horse racing picks – AVOID
Bred in Ontario by Saintsbury Farms Inc., the son of Hard Spun-Bola de Cristal (IRE) broke his maiden in his most recent start, a 1 1/16-mile race on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
Gaston came first in a ten-runner race to claim his first of the season, bettering his second-place finish a month prior.
He comes into this race in good form and a win in this race would give Kevin Attard his first victory in this race, but it seems unlikely considering the calibre of horse he’s up against.
Horse racing picks – AVOID
Among the favorites for this race will be Hall of Dreams, who will try out the turf for the first time on Sunday.
Sporting a record of 1-5-0 from eight starts, the chestnut gelding, bred by Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, was slated to run on the grass in his debut last October, but the race was taken off the grass and run on the Tapeta.
After finishing in the top two in each of his last four races, including a win back in June, Hall of Dreams is a great shout to be victorious for Mark Casse this weekend.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
Ice Road claimed a third place finish and then a big win in successive races in May and June under jockey Kazushi Kimura, before a switch to a new yard.
His only race since saw him finish 11th in a 12 runner race under jockey Emma Jayne Wilson, and that has seen Jason Hoyte take over duties for this run.
Despite that, it’s a huge outsider and this is certainly one to avoid.
Horse racing picks – AVOID
Another outsider in this race is Shamateur who has dead last in an 11-runner race and fifth in a seven runner race since returning from a 51 day break in his last two runs.
So far this season in ten races he’s managed one win and one place finish in all conditions, and it would be highly unlikely to see that change for the better in this race.
Horse racing picks – AVOID
Another horse probably not even worth looking at for this race is Collaborative.
From six starts this season he has only claimed one place finish and that was back in May in his first run of the season. Since then he’s finished fifth of seven, tenth of ten, fifth of seven, DNF and fifth of seven.
Expect him to be at the back of pack once again.
Horse racing picks – AVOID
Sam-Son Farms’ Dancin In Da’Nile, fifth in the Plate, has run well on the turf from two attempts for trainer Gail Cox.
The son of Pioneerof the Nile has had three main track workouts since the Plate. Sam-Son has won the Breeders’ six times.
In his last three runs he’s finished third of 11 runners, fifth of nine and then fifth of 11, so it’s unlikely he’ll win it but a potential place finish isn’t out of the question.
Horse racing picks – Place
Prince of Wales Stakes winner Duke Of Love, who waded through the slop to win at Fort Erie, is nominated to the Breeders’ although the Cupid colt was unplaced in his lone turf attempt.
He was a 5/2 favorite in his last run and was victorious, but he’s likely to just miss out this time but run everyone close for the distance.
Horse racing picks – Place
If Hall of Dreams isn’t successful, my pick would be his stablemate Sir For Sure.
With two wins and two place finishes from seven runs so far this season he is in great form, even ignoring the fact he finished dead last in his most recent run.
It’s his turf debut too and he’s not as good as Hall of Dreams in my eyes, but he could be worth a flutter.
Check out our review for BetOnline sports betting here.
About the Author
Daniel is a football writer who has a great thirst for the Premier League and other major European leagues. A lover of the beautiful game and a firm believer that the eye test is better than statistics. Also an avid MMA fan.
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