First Look: 6 graded stakes this week beyond Breeders' Cup

The Breeders' Cup dominates the racing conversation this week, but six graded stakes across three tracks offer solid action for horseplayers looking beyond Del Mar's championship showcase. Aqueduct hosts three graded stakes Sunday, Del Mar adds a turf stakes for fillies and mares Saturday on the Breeders' Cup undercard, and Woodbine features a pair of juvenile races on synthetic.

Last year's Grade 3 Forty Niner winner Coastal Mission returns to Aqueduct on Sunday looking to reclaim the form that carried him to victory 12 months ago. The 6-year-old gelding took the 2024 running over Nelson Avenue but has settled for minor placings in his two most recent starts.

For those mapping out their full Breeders' Cup strategy, our pre-entries breakdown has early analysis of all 14 championship races at Del Mar. The entries will be updated after Monday's post-position draw scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT.

For players seeking value away from the Breeders' Cup, these six graded stakes offer a chance to find overlooked opportunities at better prices.

Saturday

Goldikova (G3), Del Mar, 1 mile, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Simply in Front rallied from mid-pack to secure the First Lady (G1) at Keeneland by a neck on Oct. 4, her third graded-stakes victory. The 4-year-old Summer Front filly has made closing kicks her trademark, advancing from last to win the Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile at Ellis Park on Aug. 3. She charged from 11th to finish second behind Ag Bullet in the Kentucky Downs Lady Turf Sprint (G2) on Aug. 30.

Sunday

Red Smith (G2), Aqueduct, 1 mile, turf, 3-year-olds and up

Cugino sports a 2-for-3 record in 2025, most recently winning the Red Bank at Monmouth on Sept. 1. He surged to prevail by a length over a four-horse field. The son of Twirling Candy came home sixth in Saratoga's Fourstardave (G1) and won a June allowance at Aqueduct. In December, he took the Tropical Park Derby at Gulfstream by a neck to close his 3-year-old season.

Bold Ruler (G3), Aqueduct, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

Nutella Fella targets a return to form after finishing fourth in the True North (G3) at Saratoga in June and eighth in the Commonwealth (G3) at Keeneland in April. The son of Runhappy captured the Pelican Stakes by a neck in February at Tampa Bay Downs. His best performance came in the 2023 Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga, where he closed to score by 1 1/2 lengths as a long shot.

Forty Niner (G3), Aqueduct, 1 mile, 3-year-olds and up

Last year's Forty Niner winner Coastal Mission has turned in solid efforts in his two most recent starts, finishing third in the Parx Dirt Mile on Sept. 20 and third in the Stymie on March 1. He claimed the 2024 Forty Niner (G3) by a length over Nelson Avenue. The 6-year-old gelding returns seeking to match last year's performance.

Grey (G3), Woodbine, 1 1/16 miles, synthetic, 2-year-olds

Big Time Boss grabbed the lead shortly after a slow start and never relinquished it in his Sept. 21 debut at Woodbine, prevailing by a length in a six-furlong maiden special weight. The 2-year-old Street Boss colt showed resilience to hold off Princecrest. The effort earned a 67 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form.

Mazarine (G3), Woodbine, 1 1/16 miles, synthetic, fillies, 2-year-olds

La Culasse has finished third in all three career starts for trainer Kevin Attard. The daughter of Knicks Go led most of the way in the Natalma (G1) on Sept. 13 before faltering late, finishing 3/4 of a length behind the winner. Most recently on Oct. 13, she took third in a Woodbine maiden special weight, finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner.