Picks to win, horses to avoid while wagering on Friday's Breeders' Cup races at Keeneland
The two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships will get going Friday at Keeneland.
Friday’s five Breeders’ Cup races will start at 3 p.m. with the Juvenile Turf Sprint and conclude with the Juvenile Turf at 5:40 p.m.
All five Breeders’ Cup races will be televised by USA Network.
Here’s an analysis of each race:
Juvenile Turf Sprint (3 p.m.)
The pick: The Platinum Queen (#12) is 3-2-0 over her past five starts in Europe but must overcome the outside post in her U.S. debut. I think she’ll do it.
Others to watch: Trainer Wesley Ward has won this race three straight times and has another top contender in Love Reigns (#2), who won her debut at Keeneland in April. Mischief Magic (#5) had won three straight starts before finishing fourth in the Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket. Oxymore (#7) should like shorter distance after finishing second in one-mile Nownownow.
Long shot to like: Persian Force (#6) has never finished outside the top three in seven career starts.
Standing against: Speed Boat Beach (#11) is undefeated in two starts for trainer Bob Baffert but had a much faster speed rating on dirt than on turf.
Breeders' Cup: Post positions, odds, entries for Juvenile Turf Sprint
Juvenile Fillies (3:40 p.m.)
The pick: Chop Chop (#7) was beaten by a nose by Wonder Wheel in the Grade 1 Alcibiades on Oct. 7 at Keeneland but turns the tables here for trainer Brad Cox.
Others to watch: Wonder Wheel (#5) showed her toughness in winning the Alcibiades but will have plenty of company up front this time. Chocolate Gelato (#10) won the Grade 1 Frizette on a sloppy track, but there are questions about her getting 1 1/16-mile distance here. Raging Sea (#14) was disqualified from third to fourth after fouling another contender in the Alcibiades.
Long shot to like: Atomically (#8) won a pair of races at Gulfstream Park for trainer Jose Pinchin and now is under the care of Todd Pletcher. Another step forward?
Standing against: And Tell Me Nolies (#3) has won three in a row but seems a step slower than the best ones here.
Breeders' Cup: Post positions, odds, entries for Juvenile Fillies
Juvenile Fillies Turf (4:20 p.m.)
The pick: Free Look (#4) looks to have the goods to give trainer Chad Brown his sixth victory in this race.
Others to watch: Meditate (#10) is 4-2-0 in six career starts, but can she get the mile distance? Cairo Consort (#2) was a length back of Free Look in the Grade 1 Natalma and could improve. Comanche Country (#1) has won three straight starts in California but faces tougher competition here.
Long shot to like: Spirit Gal (#7) has won two in a row in Ireland and should be near the front early.
Standing against: Delight (#9) won the Grade 2 Jessamine at Keeneland last month but needs to take a step forward speed-wise.
Breeders' Cup: Post positions, odds, entries for Juvenile Fillies Turf
Juvenile (5 p.m.)
The pick: Cave Rock (#3) is the 4-5 morning-line favorite for a reason. He’ll be singled in a lot of Pick 4s and Pick 5s.
Others to watch: National Treasure (#10) is the “other Bob Baffert” but was no match for Cave Rock while finishing second in the Grade 1 American Pharoah. Verifying (#5) may not have liked the sloppy conditions in his last race.
Long shot to like: Curly Jack (#9) won the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Downs at 10-1 odds and could take another step forward for trainer Tom Amoss.
Standing against: Forte (#4) has back-to-back Grade 1 victories but may not get the pace duel he needs to come running late.
Breeders' Cup: Post positions, odds, entries for Juvenile
Juvenile Turf (5:40 p.m.)
The pick: Silver Knott (#4) is a worthy favorite for trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won this race three times.
Others to watch: Victoria Road (#1) enters with a three-race winning streak. Packs a Wahlop (#2) has won three straight races in California and improved speed-wise in each one for trainer Jeff Mullins.
Breeders' Cup: Post positions, odds, entries for Juvenile Turf
Long shots to like: Nagirroc (#9) and Gaslight Dancer (#14) are both worthy of being on your trifecta and superfecta tickets.
Standing against: I’m Very Busy (#8) doesn’t have the speed figures to match the best in this field.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Breeders' Cup 2022 wagering: Friday's picks to win, horses to avoid
