Super Saturday: 3 Kentucky Derby preps top huge weekend

The Breeders’ Cup is less than a month away and major prep races are in store Saturday at Keeneland, Belmont at Aqueduct, Santa Anita and Woodbine. Eight win-and-you’re-in stakes and a dozen other graded stakes with Breeders’ Cup implications are on the menu from all divisions on dirt and turf.

As if that wasn’t enough, three juvenile stakes do double duty as both Breeders’ Cup preps and Kentucky Derby points races. The Champagne, Breeders’ Futurity and American Pharoah, all Grade 1, will award 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points to the top five finishers.

The Champagne drew nine colts to go the one mile on dirt at Aqueduct. Five Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winners have used this race as a springboard to the championships, with the most recent being Fierceness.

It’s Our Time is the morning-line favorite for trainer Tom Amoss. He comes into the race off a maiden score at Saratoga that they’re still buzzing about, a 6 1/2-furlong blitz by 17 3/4 lengths.

At Keeneland, the Breeders’ Futurity has the headliner Ted Noffey, winner of the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga last out. His biggest threat, Ewing, has been scratched, but fast-maturing youngsters can surprise in these races. Blackout Time and Litmus Test can’t be underestimated.

Finally, Santa Anita’s prep, the American Pharoah, has drawn six entrants, four of them out of the Bob Baffert barn. Desert Gate is sure to take a lot of money, but any of the other three will be worth a play. Doug O’Neill’s Civil Liberty also is worth a look.

Coverage of the Breeders’ Cup preps at Keeneland and Santa Anita will be on NBC beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. Racing from Belmont at Aqueduct is on America’s Day at the Races on FS1 beginning at noon. Streaming is available on Peacock, and Keeneland and NYRA are free on YouTube.

Free past performances for Saturday’s major stakes are courtesy of Brisnet. 

Here are the lifetime top speed figures for the Champagne entrants.

Breeders’ Futurity

American Pharoah

*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are courtesy of Daily Racing Form.

HRN Handicappers

It’s a triple-pack of fair odds for the three juvenile stakes, and Ed DeRosa has found the value plays for all of them. But he thinks the best place for value is at Keeneland. 

Head to Head handicappers Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis aren’t buying the hype on It’s Our Time. See who they like better. 

HorseCenter’s Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman cover the three Breeders’ Cup-Derby preps this week, with a few surprising takes. 

Keeneland’s Gabby Gaudet joins the Ron Flatter Racing Pod this week to talk about the fall meet and the huge stakes Saturday. Trainer Tom Amoss checks in with the inside scoop on Champagne favorite It’s Our Time, and Ed DeRosa has handicapping tips for all of the Saturday action. Listen here. 

The Breeders’ Futurity brings a split decision for the Head to Head handicappers, but the scratch could change their plays. 

Before you play Keeneland, check out the jockey stats. 

The Super Screener has covered all 20 Breeders’ Cup preps this weekend. Here’s his best play of the whole three days. 

Pre-order your Breeders’ Cup Super Screener and get all the preps free now.