HorseCenter: Top picks for California Crown & Turf Classic

By Brian Zipse & Matt Shifman
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This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman look back at a memorable afternoon for Next, Thorpedo Anna and Seize the Grey at Parx Racing. They also handicap and offer top picks for a pair of Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup preps, the California Crown from Santa Anita and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic from Aqueduct.

The $1 million California Crown is the 2024 version of what used to be known as the Awesome Again. To no surprise Bob Baffert has three horses entered with Grade 1 winners Muth and National Treasure as the two favorites. The field of seven includes the Saudi Cup (G1) winner Señor Buscador with his gaudy $12 million in career earnings.

As part of the Belmont at the Big A meeting, the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic features the 7-year-old mare War Like Goddess, who will try and beat the boys and win this prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic for the third year in a row. This field of seven includes four other graded stakes winners.

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