Breeders' Cup 2025 Aftermath: Classic and Dirt Mile

In this horse racing video, I look back at the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic and Dirt Mile (11-1-25). 

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Breeders' Cup Saturday 2025 Recap

 In this horse racing video, I look back at Breeders' Cup Saturday (11-1-25). 

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Pacific Classic 2025 Video Analysis

In this horse racing video, I analyze the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar (8-30-25). 

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Top 5 Del Mar Racetrack Betting Angles

In this horse racing video, I share my Top 5 Del Mar 2025 summer meet betting angles. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse. 

Kentucky Derby 2024 Top Ranked Contenders

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 is in full swing. Eight points races have been run so far and it is time to unveil my first “Exceptional 11” Kentucky Derby contenders list. First, I will recap the points race action from the Iroquois on Sept. 16 through the Remsen on Dec. 2. 

Kentucky Derby 2024 Points Race Results

Grade 3 Iroquois – Sept. 16 (Churchill Downs)

The first Derby points race is rarely an indicator of Derby trail success. West Saratoga sat the right stalking trip and outkicked my top choice Risk It to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Liberal Arts rallied for the show and was followed by Seize the Grey, Edified, Patriot Spirit, Union Roll, and Market Street. Gettysburg Address scratched. The final time was 1:37.28 and Rafael Bejarano rode the winner for Larry Demeritte. 

Grade 1 Champagne – Oct. 7 (Aqueduct)

The track was sloppy (sealed), and I went with impressive maiden winner Fierceness, but he blew the break, moved early, and weakened in a disappointing try. Timberlake was clearly best in this race. I picked him on top in the Grade 1 Hopeful and he finished an uncomfortable 2nd that day. He got a clean outside stalking trip in this spot and dominated by 4 1/4 lengths. General Partner controlled the pace and was clearly second best, and Dancing Groom rallied from last to pick up the show. Gold Sweep, Air Cav, El Grande O, Fierceness, and Sweet Soddy J also ran. The final time was 1:35.90 and Florent Geroux guided home the winner for Brad Cox. 

Grade 1 American Pharoah – Oct. 7 (Santa Anita)

A Baffert trainee figured to set the pace, but almost everyone thought Muth was that runner. No so fast. Wine Me Up set sail for the lead under Ramon Vazquez. Heavy favorite Muth was showing 21 and change speed in sprints, and it was nice to see him relax early while stalking the pace under Juan Hernandez. Wine Me Up carved out splits of 23.30, 46.49, and 1:10.22. Raging Torrent chased from second and El Magnifico was forwardly placed from the outside post, but he was getting out on the backside under Hector Berrios, and he readily backed up. Muth saved ground stalking the pace and Todd Pletcher’s maiden shipper Be You was in a good spot in midpack. Next Level lost all chance after stumbling badly at the start. Wine Me Up was up by a half-length for the opening half mile and got clear by a length and a half after six panels. Muth was always traveling smoothly and as soon as he found some running room, he moved out, came after his stablemate, and kicked away to win by 3 3/4 lengths in a strong performance. Wine Me Up was 5 1/4 lengths in front of clear show finisher Be You. Raging Torrent was another 6 1/4 lengths in front of Rothschild. Indespensable, Next Level, and El Magnifico completed the order of finish. The final time was 1:42.45 and Muth qualified for the BC Juvenile with this victory.

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Del Mar 2023 Fall Meet Week 2 Stakes Recaps

 

By Jarrod Horak

The second week of Del Mar’s 2023 Bing Crosby Season is in the books. In this post I will cover Del Mar stakes race reviews for Nov. 18-19 and preview the upcoming third week of the fall meet. 

Del Mar Stakes Race Reviews (Nov. 18-19)

Desi Arnaz – Nov. 18 – 7 furlongs dirt  

Royal Slipper was less than even money and she broke like a rocket and was quickly clear. She carved out splits on 22.03 and 45.55. It looked like she might dominate this one but she began to shorten stride in the lane and the seven panel distance jumped up and bit her. Tambo chased from 2nd, got first run when the pacesetter faltered, and looked home free but inside stalker Nothing Like You ($11.40) got up in the final stride to score by a nose. Tambo was 2 1/4 lengths in front of clear show finisher Royal Slipper. The final time was 1:23.03. 

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Bob Hope Stakes 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season continues on Sunday, Nov. 19 and this post features Bob Hope Stakes picks. The Grade 3 event for 2-year-olds has a purse of $100,000 and the five entrants will be traveling seven panels on the main track. It goes as the 8th race on Nov. 19. 

Bob Hope Stakes Analysis & Final Time Ratings

Tejon Pass broke slow from the inside post and missed the show by a nose in his local debut. He set the pace from an outer post and went all the way on a wet fast track on Sept. 30. The son of Justify will probably impact the pace from the inside post under Mike Smith.   

Mission Beach pressed and scored in his local sprint bow, and battled through quick splits before weakening in the Grade 1 Hopeful second time out. Bob Baffert has three entrants in this race and has saddled the winner of this event a dozen times. The $400k son of Curlin needs to do a bit better. 

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Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes 2023 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar on 11-19-23. 

Check out my Del Mar Bing Crosby Season handicapping articles at Today's Racing Digest.