As the Breeders’ Cup World Championships loom large on the horizon, this week presents a critical juncture in the autumn horse racing schedule.
With major racing venues like Keeneland, Santa Anita, and Belmont at Aqueduct nearing their finales, while Churchill Downs gears up for its season, racing fans and bettors are in for an exciting lineup. Headlining the week are four Grade 2 stakes and five Grade 3 races, including a highly anticipated makeup event in New Mexico.
With contenders like Messier, Hit Show, and Trikari taking center stage, this promises to be a pivotal week in horse racing.
Friday: Valley View (G2) at Keeneland
The Grade 2 Valley View Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Keeneland boasts an overflowing field, making horse racing odds difficult to pin down. Leading the charge is Les Reys, who has been in fine form since her U.S. debut.
Having won her last two races in France, as well as a listed event at Aqueduct last month, she enters the Valley View as the morning-line favorite at 5-2. Buttercream Babe, another strong contender, disappointed as the favorite in two of her last three outings but still managed a close third in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes.
Meanwhile, Poolside With Slim, despite a fourth-place finish in the Winter Memories, is another horse to watch, especially considering her prior stakes success.
Saturday’s Horse Racing Odds: Mother Goose (G2) and Forty Niner (G3)
On Saturday, the Grade 2 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont at Aqueduct will feature several exciting contenders. Gun Song, who has already earned over $1 million in her career, narrowly missed out on winning the Cotillion (G1) last month.
The Mark Hennig-trained filly, a daughter of Gun Runner, will be looking to bounce back from that second-place finish. Tarifa, a third-place finisher in the same race, also enters the field, adding to the competitive nature of the race.
In the Grade 3 Forty Niner Stakes, fans will see Messier back in action at Belmont at Aqueduct. After winning the Westchester (G3) in May, the 5-year-old Empire Maker horse underwent knee surgery. Now, with a series of sharp workouts under his belt, he’s primed for his return. With a competitive field, including Repo Rocks and Winit, Messier’s comeback race promises to be one of the highlights of the day.
Other Notable Races on the Horse Racing Schedule
The Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland also takes place on Saturday, featuring contenders like Hit Show and Rattle N Roll. Both horses bring impressive résumés into this closing-day race at Keeneland. Hit Show, in particular, is coming off two consecutive graded stakes victories, including last month’s Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Additionally, the Bryan Station Stakes (G3) and the Twilight Derby (G2) at Santa Anita will showcase some of the best 3-year-old talent on the turf.
Trikari, who has already secured wins in the American Turf and Belmont Derby Invitational, will be looking to rebound from a fourth-place finish in his last race. Stay Hot and Atitlan, who finished second and third respectively in the Del Mar Derby, will also take the stage in the Twilight Derby, adding to the competitive nature of the weekend.
