Arrogate, seen here winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) is being pointed toward the TVG San Diego Handicap on July 22 at Del Mar.. (Photo by Bob Mayberger/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup)
The Bob Baffert trained Arrogate is the strong early favorite in early Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) odds at US Racing at -300.
The colt is the defending champion in the Classic and came out of that victory with wins in the two richest races in the word—the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and the Dubai World Cup (G1).
He likely will make two starts before defending his title and they both may come at the site of this year’s Breeders’ Cup. His next start likely will come in the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar on July 22, then likely point toward the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Aug. 19.
His Dubai World Cup win was flattered when runner up Gun Runner came back with a sharp looking victory Saturday night in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs. The Steve Asmussen trainee took the field gate to wire and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 110.
He is currently the fourth choice in early Breeders’ Cup Classic wagering at USRacing at +1100.
Preakness (G1) winner Cloud Computing and Classic Empire, who was second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) in his last outing are co-second choices at +800.
McCraken, who was an early Kentucky Derby favorite but had to settle for eighth returned with flair on Saturday night at Churchill Downs by winning the Matt Winn (G3) with a Beyer of 93. His odds of +2800 are likely to come down this week after his impressive comeback.
Songbird remains the favorite in early Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) wagering at USRacing at +180. She suffered her first career defeat in last year’s Distaff to Beholder in a photo.
She made her 2017 debut a winning one, taking the Ogden Phipps (G1) at Belmont Park on June 10.
Forever Unbridled, who was a solid third in last year’s Distaff stamped her ticket to this year’s edition with a win in Saturday’s Fleur De Lis Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs. She earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure and is listed at odds of +1500 in early Distaff betting at US Racing.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds via USRacing:
ARROGATE -300
CLOUD COMPUTING +800
CLASSIC EMPIRE +800
GUN RUNNER +1100
ALWAYS DREAMING +1300
MCCRAKEN +2800
IRISH WAR CRY +2800
SEND IT IN +2800
TU BRUTUS +2800
HOPPERTUNITY +4000
EPICHARIS +4000
KEEN ICE +4000
Breeders’ Cup Distaff Odds via USRacing:
SONGBIRD +180
UNIQUE BELLA +220
STELLAR WIND +380
PARADISE WOODS +450
ABEL TASMAN +900
FOREVER UNBRIDLED +1500
Get Michael’s Best Plays Report each Saturday which will include all of the U.S. based Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races from now to October and Michael Dempsey’s 2-Day Breeders’ Cup Report.
Michael’s two-day Breeders’ Cup Report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for every race on the two-day championship event from Del Mar on Nov. 3-4.
