Breeders' Cup 2023: Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Future Stars Friday
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies features a heavy favorite in Tamara, while favored Locked must deal with a fast-looking Bob Baffert-trained duo in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Robert Criscola offers analysis and betting picks for both heats.
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports
The Breeders' Cup odds for Future Stars Friday have been posted, and the races are finally set! We'll be taking a look at the two Breeders' Cup races running on dirt this Friday at Santa Anita in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The former could turn out to be a key prep for next year's Kentucky Oaks, while the latter could help stamp an early 2024 Kentucky Derby favorite.
My selections for each 1/16th-mile heat are below, complete with free betting picks.
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Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Santa Anita Race 6
- Post time: 5:40 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV, USA
Odds as of November 2, 2023.
Though there are a number of intriguing runners with potentially bright futures in this field, No. 7 Tamara (4-5, morning-line favorite) is the logical choice.
After grinding her way to a debut score off a poor start, she brushed off her rivals in the Del Mar Debutante with devastating ease. She hasn't raced since and has never gone this far, but the daughter of Bolt d'Oro out of phenomenal former Breeders' Cup winner Beholder absolutely has the pedigree to appreciate routing.
No. 1 Candied (4-1) is the main danger to the top choice, as she's also 2-for-2 lifetime with a Grade I win under her belt. That latest victory was in the Alcibiades going today's distance, but it came back a bit slower than Tamara's Debutante score.
If Candied falters while Tamara goes on with it, there are a number of worthwhile underneath options in the exacta wagering.
No. 2 Jody's Pride (15-1) has run away from the competition in two off-the-turf tries to date going shorter, but recent works suggest she'll get the trip today. No. 10 Accommodate Eva (30-1) figured it out with blinkers added when last seen, and could last for a share. No. 11 Life Talk (20-1) broke her maiden with ease going one mile before settling for third in a sloppy renewal of the Grade I Frizette. No. 12 Just F Y I (8-1) has done little wrong in her brief career, which includes a Frizette triumph.
Best bet: $5 exacta box 1/7, $2 exacta 7/1,2,10,11,12 ($20)
Breeders' Cup Juvenile odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Santa Anita Race 8
- Post time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV, USA
Odds as of November 2, 2023.
The Bob Baffert-trained pair of No. 2 Prince of Monaco (4-1) and No. 10 Muth (4-1) looks intimidating, but No. 6 Locked (7-2, morning-line favorite) seems up to the task of beating them.
The Todd Pletcher pupil is 2-for-2 since leaving sprint racing behind, taking the Grade I Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland in the process, despite a wide journey in that heat under Jose Ortiz, who retains the assignment.
Muth gets a tepid nod for second over Prince of Monaco despite losing to that foe rather easily in the Grade III Best Pal at Del Mar two-back. Being by Good Magic, Muth stands to get the 1/16th-mile trip more easily than Prince of Monaco, who is by sprint influence Speightstown. Muth's facile victory in the Grade I American Pharoah at the identical distance last time out suggests as much. Prince of Monaco has yet to race beyond seven panels, bossing an overmatched field in the Del Mar Futurity to prep for this.
No. 1 The Wine Steward (8-1) could have his work cut out for him vs. the top trio, but he merits respect off a determined runner-up placing behind Locked when last seen.
Best bet: $4 exacta 6/2,10, $2 exacta 2,10/6, $1 exacta box 2/6/10, $2 exacta 6/1 ($20)
Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic Schedule
*denotes "Win & You're In" race for Breeders' Cup Classic
