2021 Breeders' Cup: Picks to win, horses to avoid betting on Saturday

The two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships will conclude on Saturday at Del Mar. The Filly & Mare Sprint starts at 3:05 p.m. EDT and the Classic at 8:40 p.,m., and it will be broadcast on NBC Sports (2:30-8 p,m.) and NBC (8-9 p,.m.).

Gamine won the Filly & Mare Sprint last year at Keeneland. Bella Sofia has the speed to contend with Gamine early. Edgeway won her last start at Del Mar on August 20. Proud Emma would need the race of her lifetime to finish on the board.

Turf Sprint (3:40 p.m.) is the pick. Emaraaty Ana has improving speed figures over his past four races and enters off a Group 1 victory at Haydock. Gear Jockey posted a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in his last race at Kentucky Downs. Lieutenant Dan is 3 for 3 this year with two victories at Del Mar. Fast Boat has won three of his recent five starts. Golden Pal won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf sprint at Keeneland last year.

Ginobili is the pick for Dirt Mile (4:19 p.m. on Saturday). Life Is Good is heavy favorite and the class of the field. Silver State is most likely to pick up the pieces if Ginobli and Life is Good wear down late.

Bob Baffert-trained Eight Rings is a long shot to like, but he belongs in all trifecta and superfecta bets. Snapper Sinclair has been on the turf in his past three races, and this is tough spot to return to the dirt.

War Like Goddess is the pick for Filly & Mare Turf (4:59 p.m.) on Saturday. Loves Only You is from Japan and has six victories in 14 career starts. Love is Irish-bred and looks to give trainer Aiden O'Brien his first victory in this race. Rougir is a long shot who won a Group 1 race last year.

Jackie's Warrior is the pick for the 21st Breeders' Cup Sprint (5:38 p.m.) Dr. Schivel has won five straight starts and is 3 for 3 at Del Mar. Aloha West has posted back-to-back Beyer Speed Figures of 102 and 100 and lost by a neck in his graded-stakes debut at Keeneland.

Firenze Fire is winless in his last four starts.

Mo Forza is primed for a big effort in his third start off a 10-month layoff. He has three wins at Del Mar and is 6 for 8 at the distance.

Space Blues is 3 for 5 this year and won the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp. Smooth Like Strait has finished second in his last two races. Blowout has never been worse than fourth in 14 career starts at Del Mar. Mother Earth finished fifth in last year’s Breeders” Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland.

Letruska is the heavy favorite for the Breeders' Cup. Royal Flag, Shedaresthedevil and Malathaat are other horses to watch. Dunbar Road is a long shot, but finished second to Letrusha in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland last month. Private Mission has won three straight races for Baffert, and he needs to improve to win the race.

Tarnawa won the Turf last year at Keeneland. Walton Street won Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine on Sept. 18. Rockemperor keeps jockey Javier Castellano after winning the Grade1 TurF Classic at Belmont. Broome set the pace in his last race but faded to 11th. Teona is a lightly raced filly who needs to step up against better competition.

Hot Rod Charlie is the pick for Classic (8:40 p.m. ET). Knicks Go is a favorite after three straight wins. Essential Quality is 8 for 9 lifetime. Medina Spirit has won two straight since finishing third in the Preakness. Art Collector is an interesting long shot. Max Player has two wins at this distance but might have a tough time here.