2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic Horse Racing Picks: Morning Line Odds, Past Performances
This was going to be Arcangelo’s destiny watch. Now scratched, it instead becomes an Eclipse Award lasting forever for the horse who can be king for a day. That’s because this is THE day, the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, with a 6:40 p.m. post time Saturday at Santa Anita in California. With so much competition in the field, it makes Breeders’ Cup Classic odds very enticing.
Horse racing’s Super Bowl concludes the annual two-day summit of delirium for bettors, who can access all the action on FanDuel Racing. This assembly of the nation’s top 3-year-old and older horses highlights a tremendous program of Breeders’ Cup odds on Saturday. New users at FanDuel Racing get a No Sweat First Bet! Click PLAY NOW to get started.
2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic field: morning line odds
Here’s a look at the field, including the jockeys and trainers, from the Breeders’ Cup Classic draw. Odds won’t be official until post-time, per pari-mutuel rules.
| Post | Horse | Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arcangelo | SCRATCH | N/A | N/A |
| 2 | Zandon | 12-1 | Chad Brown | Frankie Dettori |
| 3 | White Abarrio | 4-1 | Richard Dutrow | Irad Ortiz |
| 4 | Missed the Cut | 30-1 | John Sadler | Luis Saez |
| 5 | Derma Sotogake | 20-1 | Hidetaka Otonashi | Christoper Lemaire |
| 6 | Saudi Crown | 12-1 | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux |
| 7 | Clapton | 20-1 | Chad Summers | Tyler Gaffalione |
| 8 | Ushba Tesoro | 4-1 | Noboru Takagi | Yuga Kawada |
| 9 | Senor Buscado | 30-1 | Todd Fincher | Geovanni Franco |
| 10 | Dreamlike | 30-1 | Todd Pletcher | Jose Ortiz |
| 11 | Bright Future | 10-1 | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez |
| 12 | Arabian Knight | 3-1 | Bob Baffert | Flavien Prat |
| 13 | Proxy | 12-1 | Michael Stidham | Joel Rosario |
1. Arcangelo (SCRATCH)
Arcangelo is no longer running in this race after a hoof issue. All bets involving No. 1 will be voided refunded.
2. Zandon (12-1)
The eternal bridesmaid and hard knocker in big races. He has six second-place finishes in major stakes over the past couple of years. When he dropped to the Grade II Woodward, he prevailed stylishly in the $400,000 race.
He always has a strong presence late and this is his kind of race. There is significant speed and a chance to close into it if he is on. The darling of exotics players, he will be in tons of tickets underneath.
3. White Abarrio (4-1)
Has come to life under trainer Richard Dutrow. Doing his best running. Captured the Whitney by 6 1-4 lengths, turning the tables on Zandon, who had beaten him in the Metropolitan Mile. Notched a career-high Beyer speed figure of 110 that day. Bounce candidate or is he suddenly hitting stride?
Had been unimpressive for several races after winning the 2022 Florida Derby, but has suddenly woken up.
Late running style serves him well if the race falls apart up front. Was shipped to Santa Anita early and has been working regularly. On his best right now.
4. Missed the Cut (30-1)
Connections take a shot with a horse that won the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Oct. 1. He only beat a four-horse field and was 3-5. Entry here seems to be along the lines of “We’ve got a local horse, he’s fresh, let’s take a shot.” So, they will.
5. Derma Sotogake (20-1)
Could be re-named “The Instigator.” Not likely to win, but could stir the pot on the front end, causing a pace battle with Saudi Crown and perhaps Arabian Knight. Should help keep the race honest.
Hasn’t run since finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby in May, when he was unable to break well and close late. But his best efforts have come when he is forwardly placed, and they’ll probably try to do that with him here.
6. Saudi Crown (12-1)
Speedball adjusts to the new surface. Nearly took them gate to the wire in the slop before being nosed by Forte in the Jim Dandy. Did take them gate to wire in winning the Pennsylvania Derby, also in the slop.
How does he now handle a fast track? If he maintains a recent style and the pace is not contentious, he should be there in the end. One of the most consistent recent performers. A 106 Beyer and rising performance cycle.
7. Clapton (20-1)
Take away the extremely wide final turn and he might have hit the line together with Bright Future and Proxy in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Later won the Grade 2 Lukas Classic and has hit the board in six of his last seven starts. Not impossible for him to win. Named for famous guitarist Eric Clapton, a slight improvement could make his theme “Wonderful Tonight” when this is over. Excellent price will attract underneath action.
8. Ushba Tesoro (4-1)
Gaining enormous respect. Has won six in a row overseas, including the Dubai World Cup. In successive races, he circled the entire field to win and then prevailed from up close.
Should be in the stalker’s role here. The most explosive finisher in this field in recent races. Major threat if he’s in position. Bettors will have to have faith that he can overcome issues in the starting gate he has experienced at Santa Anita during workouts.
9. Senor Buscador (30-1)
Or, Senor Slice. Came along late to get a fourth in the Pacific Classic behind Arabian Knight and a third in the Awesome Again. Much would have to go right for him to get a piece, but bettors would gain a high price.
10. Dreamlike (30-1)
Nothing wrong with that furious charge that nearly stole the Pennsylvania Derby away from Saudi Crown. A gem of a price compared to Saudi Crown if these prices hold up. That’s a big number for a horse with a 104 recent Beyer speed figure. Late running style does not fit this track, but he’d benefit greatly from a duel. A natural for exotics tickets underneath and, at this price, some bettors will like a win bet.
11. Bright Future (10-1)
Game and gutsy performance to hold off Proxy and win the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Took a stalking route and had just enough to win the $1 million race. The time of 2:03 in New York was faster than Arabian Knight’s 2:03.19 on a notoriously fast track. Could be ready to make a statement.
12. Arabian Knight (3-1)
May find himself breaking in tandem with Bright Future, stalking a position trip behind Saudi Crown and Derma Sotogake. Will try to duck in and save ground. Yes, he won the Pacific Classic on this track for a big edge, but the 2:03.19 was the second slowest in the history of a race dating back to 1991, and he was all out. Should be forwardly placed, but could be vulnerable and overbet.
13. Proxy (4-1)
Went by Bright Future one jump after the finish line in the Jockey Club and settled for second. Had traffic problems that day until finding an opening to try and run down the leader. Mirror image with Bright Future, in terms of ability. Being parked outside does him no favors, as he’s not a frontrunner. Minimizing early position issues will be key for him.
TheLines.com breeders’ Cup Podcast: Juvenile & Classic Previews
How I am betting Breeders’ Cup Classic odds
Cautiously. I have less conviction in this race than others because Arabian Knight looks like a vulnerable favorite. I think the way to go is a couple of tickets with him and a couple of contenders, followed by a ticket in which some bombs hit the board.
The big question is whether this race falls apart. At Santa Anita, it usually doesn’t. But I think others can match Arabian Knight’s Pacific Classic time. I will break this up into Practical and Dice-Rolling areas. Much will be determined on Saturday.
Practical Betting Ideas
Win Bets: small wager on Arabian Knight, and it gets smaller the more he is bet down. My gut says he gets run down in the stretch, but he has won on this track and this distance.
Small win bets:
- Ushba Tesoro. He’s a bull. Speed duel could set up for him, and he is strong late
- White Abarrio. 110 is 110. The highest Beyer speed figure in this race. He has to get a couple of bucks.
- Dreamlike: 104 Beyer at 30-1?
Small exacta boxes:
- Arabian Knight with Ushba Tesoro, White Abarrio, Saudi Crown, and Dreamlike
More Fun, Recreational Betting Ideas
A 50-cent Beyer trifecta box:
- White Abarrio (3), Saudi Crown (6), Dreamlike (10) and Arabian Knight (12). These are the four highest Beyer speed figures. Ticket costs 12 bucks
A 10-cent superfecta:
- 8 in first and second with 3,6,10,11,12,13
- That’s using Ushba Tesoro in the first and second positions with White Abarrio, Saudi Crown, Dreamlike, Arabian Knight, Bright Future, and Proxy in the other positions on the ticket; total cost $24. If Ushba Tesoro doesn’t look good on the track on Saturday, someone else goes becomes the key.
- The idea of using six horses with a key is affordable, especially because some longshots are going to hit the board.
Final Thoughts On Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds
Two scenarios look possible:
- Arabian Knight prevails in California, using the home course edge.
- Mid to longshots come in because these horses are that good.
Win and place prices pay much better than you’d think because of the large fields and enormous betting handle. It may be subtle like a horse you believe should be 5-2 going off 4-1. Or you get an extra $2 on the place price. For bettors who like to go big, that’s extremely important.
I am having trouble finding one winner right now. But if you find one, and like it, drill it. The price will be good and you don’t have to worry about exotics. Good luck. This is the best field all year. I hope you hit Breeders’ Cup Classic odds for big payouts!
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