The Breeders’ Cup is just a few weeks away, and most of the expected participants have completed their final prep races. Many year-end championships will be decided on October 30 and 31 at Keeneland Race Course, largely due to what takes place in these marquee events.Below you’ll find my rankings for 13 of the Breeders Cup divisions, with the top four contenders listed in chronological order. Any changes made, whether they be additions / subtractions or new comments, are italicized.(NOTE: The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint will be omitted from the rankings. The division is constantly in flux and there are too many who will be cross-entered to make that list worthwhile.)CLASSIC1 - Forever Young (last week: 1)• Some may have been underwhelmed by his victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup…but what else did you want from him? A 105 Beyer going 10F off a six-month layoff would seem to be a great jumping off point for a Classic defense.2 - Magnitude (last week: 2)• If you forgive his Saratoga form he’s done nothing wrong; ticks all the boxes at what’s likely a reasonable price assuming you can get past the dud in the Whitney3 - Sovereignty (last week: 3)• Maybe foolish to move him down a peg, but his unknown status due to the foot abscess has to be a concern; not sure he can afford any sort of hiccups if he’s to make the Breeders’ Cup4 - Knightsbridge (last week: 4)• Devastated the G1 Pacific Classic, a field that was a G1 in name only; hard to find anyone to dispute his brilliance, but the question remains - can he reproduce that brilliance against the cream of the crop?DISTAFF1 - Nitrogen (last week: 1)• May not have been visually exceptional but plenty fast enough winning the Beldame; strictly the horse to beat in the Distaff2 - Fully Subscribed (last week: 3)• Secured her first career G1 in the Personal Ensign and followed it up with a decisive win in the G1 Spinster…peaking at the right time and may have what it takes to defeat Nitrogen in the Distaff3 - Splendora (last week: 4)• The wide margins of victory around two turns would lead you to believe she may well fit the Distaff configuration; have always wondered if she’s better around one turn, though, so maybe a defense of the FM Sprint is the better path? To be determined…4 - Regaled (last week: unranked)• Probably a notch below the best in the division but finished third in the Distaff last year and enters this year off another blowout win in the Delaware Handicap; maybe underneathSPRINT1 - Englishman (last week: 1)• Missed a scheduled work over the weekend; connections seem optimistic it’s a minor issue and he should get back on the work tab soon…clearly the best of this bunch, but time is of the essence now2 - T O Elvis (last week: 2)• Lost in the late odds hoopla on Derby Day was just how emphatic his win in the Churchill Downs was; may need to find a bit if Englishman holds his form - but may not need to find much3 - Built (last week: 3)• Always seemed like a one turn horse and has shown that to be the case in 2026; not much to knock about him given his recent form other than the obvious - his figs are miles behind those of Englishman4 - Liam Smith (last week: 4)• Not often does a $50k claimer immediately become a Breeders’ Cup contender, but here we are…back-to-back 107 Beyers make him too fast to ignore - especially given his early pace; seems unlikely he can run with Englishman, but could be worst case scenario for the heavy chalk in terms of race shapeFM SPRINT1 - Kilwin (last week: 1)• Perhaps being a bit stubborn keeping her #1…didn’t think her second in the Ballerina was a bad effort, just ran into a horse for course and found herself way too far back early despite the hot pace; absolutely needs a step forward but hopefully that is still to come at Keeneland2 - Ways and Means (last week: 2)• Disrespectful to have her this far down after a blowout win in a G1 at Saratoga? Maybe…still think she’s a different animal at the Spa v. Other venues; likely goes as the favorite for the FM Sprint off the 104 Beyer in the Ballerina3 - Mashallah (last week: 3)• Another blowout victory, this time in the G3 Prioress; figs aren’t exactly improving but hard to argue with what she’s done when you watch her races…may end up being the “now” horse4 - Explora (last week: 4)• Came up just short as part of a three-horse photo in the Dogwood at CD; the figs aren’t quite there for her to be considered a top contender - but that can be said for most in this division aside from Ways and MeansTURF1 - Tiffany (last week: 1)• Devastating victory in the KYD Turf Cup in her U.S. debut; 107 Beyer earned in that race has been the benchmark for BC Turf success over the past decade - a likely win candidate at Keeneland2 - Ombudsman (last week: 2)• Serious horse and a real possibility to run here if the weather goes sideways for Champions Day at Ascot according to John Gosden via Nick Luck Daily…Gosden has kept him at 10F for majority of career in Europe but the 12F in the United States should be well within his scope; the likely favorite for the Turf assuming he comes for the party3 - Diamond Necklace (last week: unranked)• Gave a good account of herself in the Arc when stepping up in trip; with the distance a non-issue, a trip to the BC Turf has been mentioned by Aidan O’Brien for the 3YO filly4 - Ethical Diamond (last week: 3)• Credible second behind the filly on top in the KYD Turf Cup; connections seem very pleased with the run as a means to an end heading to Keeneland - a legit threat to repeat in the BC TurfMILE1 - Blue Bolt (last week: 1)• Another race, another G1 victory for the fantastic filly - this one at Newmarket in the Sun Chariot; already qualified for the FM Turf and it sounds like a run at Keeneland is in the cards…the question is: the FM Turf or the Mile against the males?2 - Notable Speech (last week: 3)• Another G1 victory to his resume in the Woodbine Mile, running down Deterministic - who had everything his way; a major threat to repeat in the BC Mile, even if his WO Mile “only” earned a 101 Beyer3 - Lake Forest (last week: unranked)• Second in the Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland behind Rhetorical but had a no-win trip given the lack of pace / lack of running room; should get a more favorable setup in the BC Mile for trainer William Haggas4 - Rhetorical (last week: unranked)• Winner of the Coolmore Turf Mile for the second consecutive year; took advantage of glacial pace but kicked home like a good thing…proven over the Keeneland turf and versatile running style should give him a good chanceFM TURF1 - Precise (last week: unranked)• Big effort when second in the Prix de l’Opera at 10F at Longchamp behind Miss Scott; winner doesn’t sound likely to come, so runner-up on the cutback to 9.5F would be a handful for Aidan O’Brien2 - Thundering On (last week: 1)• Looked for a moment as though she’d fire a big shot in the Arc before offering little late; speculation that she doesn’t appreciate fast ground, which makes BC participation questionable…still love the idea of her cutting back to 9.5F3 - Stellify (last week: 4)• An all or nothing type at this point in her career…when she’s part of the early running, she’s very good; decimated a field in the Ladies Marathon at KYD, a course which she’s 3-for-3 over4 - Kathynmarissa (last week: unranked)• Added another graded stakes victory to the resume in the Flower Bowl at 10F; 9.5F distance of this race hits her right between the eyes and trainer Chad Brown has had success in this event on numerous occasions…too sharp to ignoreTURF SPRINT1 - Cy Fair (last week: 1)• Nothing to be gleaned from her off the board effort at KYD; buried on the rail for duration of the run…draw a line through the race - her best is still elite2 - Bacio (last week: 2)• Devastating winning the G1 Nunthorpe at York for Wesley Ward over a highly-accomplished group; no fault with anyone saying he’s clearly tops, just still believe in the filly at #1’s ability3 - Joe Shiesty (last week: unranked)• Razor-sharp sprinter is also as gutsy as they come, as seen by his win in the Woodford at Keeneland; other pace will be a concern for him since he’s one-way speed, but he loves a fight4 - Shisospicy (last week: 3)• Difficult to say what to expect from her with the nonexistent campaign but know her best is as good as anyone’sDIRT MILE1 - Knightsbridge (last week: 1)• Sounds as though it’s as simple as: if Sovereignty runs in the Classic, Knightsbridge to the Dirt Mile…no Sovereignty in the Classic - Knightsbridge to the Classic2 - Napoleon Solo (last week: 2)• Loses nothing in defeat finishing a gallant second in the Travers; Classic remains an option for the connections, especially after flashy drill at Belmont Park3 - The Puma (last week: 3)• Connections probably wanting to give the Classic a go but not sure his best is good enough to run with the big boys just yet; blinkers certainly did the trick and the middle move he unleashed would play wonderfully in a truly run mile at Keeneland4 - Further Ado (last week: 4)• Kicked on well at the end of the PA Derby but couldn’t run down The Puma; the record at Keeneland sticks out like a sore thumb - in a good way; can’t imagine the connections are in a rush to try the Classic with him but another who would fit wonderfully in the Dirt MileJUVENILE | MATT'S VIDEO ANALYSIS1 - Hughes (last week: unranked)• Hard to knock a horse who is 4-for-4 with winning margins of 6L, 7+L, 4+L, and 6L at distances of 5F, 6F, 7F, and 8.5F; took a meaningful step forward on the fig scale and establishes himself as the favorite for this race with the absence of U.S.S. Valor2 - Salahudin (last week: 4)• Almost the antithesis of a typical Baffert 2YO - sluggish out of the gate, settles before finding stride and finishing while still showing greenness; may be more of a 3YO prospect but continues to improve…as good a 2YO male crop as we’ve seen in a while3 - American History (last week: unranked)• Took advantage of pace setup to win Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland; not the most visually impressive but seems like he’s learning on the job…needs a meaningful step forward to get the job done in the Breeders’ Cup (or another obscene pace setup)4 - Coach Pope (last week: 1)• Caught up in a wicked pace in the Breeders’ Futurity; finished willingly, albeit slowly, at the end of two-turn debut…dynamics almost certainly did him in but he’s likely to catch another swift pace in the Breeders’ CupJUVENILE FILLIES1 - Emphatic (last week: unranked)• Exceptional in G1 Alcibiades victory at Keeneland for Brendan Walsh; distance is her friend and she’s already defeated a serious filly in Summer Starlet…the one to beat on BC Friday2 - Summer Starlet (last week: 2)• Ran giant in Alcibiades defeat; nothing to knock other than she’s going to run into the Alcibiades winner again in the BC Juvenile Fillies3 - Domain Expansion (last week: unranked)• Visually awesome winning the Oak Leaf at Santa Anita in dirt debut for Leonard Powell; may not have beaten the best company but could not have looked more impressive…should be a square price in the BC given the other outfits involved in this race, too4 - Miss Monica (last week: 1)• Paired up 87 Beyers winning G1 DMR Debutante for Baffert; geared down for final 100 yards and still galloped out with interest…think she’ll improve around two-turns, tooJUVENILE TURF1 - How’s Al Today (last week: 1)• Ran twice at the Kentucky Downs meeting, including a stakes score which resulted in a 94 Beyer Speed Figure; division historically dominated by Euros but this one looks like he may be the goods…form flattered when 3rd place finisher in KYD Juvenile Mile (who was 5+L behind Al) came back to win Bourbon at Keeneland2 - Folsom Blues (last week: 2)• Beaten at odds-on in Jean-Luc Lagard�re at Longchamp over 7F; didn’t seem to be shortening at the end…simply beaten by a better runner on the day - would be an obvious threat in the BC Juvenile Turf should he come3 - Darkness Falls (last week: 3)• No surprise to see him shorten in the market to one of the favorites for next year’s Derby after authoritative victory in the Golden Fleece; Aidan O’Brien suggested a run in America wouldn’t be out of the question4 - Al Hudaiba (last week: 4)• Better than the final margin in the G1 Summer would suggest given he took a right-hand turn down the stretch; Charlie Appleby / Godolphin have played this tune successfully in the past, would be no surprise to see them do it againJUVENILE FILLIES TURF1 - Sun Goddess (last week: 1)• Must be special if Aidan O’Brien is referring to her as a “freak”; smashed in the Moyglare, and post race comments would suggest a run in the Cheveley Park followed by a try in the Breeders’ Cup could be on offer…also worth noting she thumped Folsom Blues at The Curragh in August2 - Domestic Agenda (last week: unranked)• Devastating win in the Miss Grillo at Belmont Park; wide trip in the clear and lengthened down the lane, all while swapping leads and showing a bit of greenness…Chad Brown has won this race six times3 - Senorita Bonita (last week: 2)• Crushed G1 company in the Prix Morny in August; pedigree on top suggests sprint but damsire is a real stamina influence…would think a mile should be within her scope4 - Vanta (last week: 3)• Another impressive win, this time in the Surfer Girl at Santa Anita; as mentioned before - the waters get considerably deeper taking on international competition + Chad’s filly

Each day during the 17-day Keeneland Fall Meet, I’ll spotlight the double-digit morning line prices that you’ll want to consider for your exotics plays. These are based on my top-3 choices in each race and will only appear if they’re in my mix and of significant odds.Horses 10-1 or more win about 10% of the races nationally and that was right on the money opening weekend at Keeneland as 3 of 31 heats went to such prices. Nine more, however, finished second with 9 more finishing third. The 31 races netted 21 horses at 10-1 or more in the trifecta.Race 2:#6 Wado Wave (20-1 ML) – catches a field that’s frankly poor and possesses enough early speed to give a run for the money while dropping in class. Hasn’t appeared yet at Keeneland and offspring of Mo Town have been a profitable $1.22 return on every $1 bet the past 3 meets and have 2 seconds from 3 starters on dirt at the current meet.#10 Queen McKinzie (10-1 ML) – The 0-for-17 career mark won’t get much love, but in a bad field she’s 8 times in the money and note 15 of those losses came before coming to Steve Asmussen’s barn. Her last at Ellis was solid enough to win this and Ellis runners were surprisingly effective here opening weekend.Race 5:#5 Life’s Pageant (15-1 ML) – For a starter allowance filly, her running lines are strong with no less than 3 past rivals appearing in 3 separate juvenile stakes here opening week, including Alcibiades winner Emphatic. Trainer Keith Desormeaux has been a longshot trainer as long as I’ve followed him and the Colonial horses continue to be value plays at Kee in Fall Meets ($2.41 ROI for every $1 bet during opening week while going 3-16).Race 7:#4 Insightful Miss (12-1 ML) – Well-drawn in an advantageous 3-4-5 post in a full-field turf sprint at Keeneland, this is a veteran, 7-time winner in a second-level allowance. Gets a great pace set-up for her rally, the Ellis runners have been on point early in the Fall Meet and you have to respect 12-25 in the exacta lifetime when looking for exotics price players.

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESAssiniboia Downs | closing day of meet WednesdayThistledown | closing day of meet ThursdayNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $4,437 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $36,936 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 4 | 9:50 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFinger Lakes | Race 7 | 3:49 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Ferraro | Presque Isle Downs | 2 of 3 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | jockey Mychel Sanchez | 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds from 7 mountsYesterday | Presque Isle Downs | favorites won 5 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Horseshoe Indy Bet $100, Get $10 Best Bets for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

After kicking off our “Bonus Boonanza” promotion last Thursday at Belmont Park, the team at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are very much looking forward to the first full week of one of our new deals for the month of October. For those of you that missed it in New York on the first of the month, “Bonus Boonanza” allows customers to earn a $10 bonus at a select track each Tuesday and Thursday for simply betting $100+ on the given card. Later today, it will be Horseshoe Indianapolis taking center stage with Thistledown on deck for Thursday. I will be back with thoughts on the card in Ohio as we get closer, but here are a few horses I like on the Tuesday Horseshoe Indy slate. As always, be sure to remember to register for the new promotion.Race 3:My first play of the day in the Hoosier State comes in this state-bred conditional claimer at six-furlongs over the main track where #5 Rockin Rocio is expected to take the most public money. The Mr. Speaker filly is likely to set the pace under jockey Victor Lara, but I have a couple of concerns. Firstly, she probably has been at her best in 5.5-furlong events, so the last half furlong could be a difference maker. Plus, she has not been good out of the gate, which could make her work that much harder in the early stages. I will try to beat the 8-5-ML favorite with second choice #7 Air Up There. The Mitole filly exits the same race as the chalk where she finished fifth beaten ten lengths. Perhaps, she is not as good as Rockin Rocio, but I will give her another shot here in a spot where she should sit a perfect stalking trip under veteran rider Fernando De La Cruz at a distance that she very well might have a slight advantage at.Play: #7 Air Up There (5-2 ML)Picks: 7-4-5Race 6:There does not appear to be much speed signed on in this conditional $12,500 claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the Horseshoe Indy turf assuming #12 Got Stripes does not draw in off the AE list. If he does, #2 Brit’s Wit makes a lot of sense to take advantage of a perfect pocket trip, but otherwise #3 Elevated Game should have things his way on the front end under veteran jockey Rodney Prescott. The son of Summer Front drops in class out of an allowance event after setting the pace and fading late to finish third at odds of 7-1 on September 10. The class relief and inside draw should prove advantageous in this gelding’s fifth start of 2026.Play: #3 Elevated Game (7-2 ML)Picks: 3-2-1Race 7:I am going to stick with a similar theme in this state-bred first-level allowance at one-mile over the main track where longshot #5 Prayer Unbridled has a shot to steal this on the front end at a big price. The Terry Phillips owned/trained filly comes into this spot off a pair of races against state-bred stakes foes where she was dueled into defeat. Prior to that she got off to an awkward start in a six-furlong race, so her form is a bit dirtied up on the drop-in class back to allowance company. If jockey Joe Ramos is able to set a moderate tempo, this daughter of Prayer for Relief appears capable of having enough left late to seal the deal.Play: #5 Prayer Unbridled (15-1 ML)Picks: 5-6-8

SCHEDULE NOTESAssiniboia Downs | closing day of meet WednesdayThistledown | closing day of meet ThursdayNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $550,557 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 5 | $19,576 | Finger Lakes | begins Race 4 | 2:22 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 9 | 4:16 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMoises Valdez | Presque Isle Downs | all 3 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Belmont | favorites won 1 of 10 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has an 11-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 3, Race 7, and Race 10. Comments and sections below are based on a fast track.Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)2-Zebs Krafty (9/2)-This will be the 3rd start off the bench and comes back in sequence this time. Does its best work racing at the top of the stack and came away a distant 6th last time. Jordan Stratton drives for the 2nd straight start and he got the Jared Bako 5-year-old rolling in the 2nd half of the mile. Did pace the back half in 55.3 and will look for a more determined effort as soon as the wings fold.2-3-1Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)5-Major Hothooves N (12-1)-Price shot won at this level on 8-18 from this post. This will be the first time in a while that comes back in sequence and makes 2 consecutive starts at Yonkers. Could be completely dismissed and tonight's pilot Colin Kelly was the winning driver back on 8-18. Will look for a big try, and to be the best down the lane at what should be a large price.5-1-4Race 10 (9:45 PM EDT)7-Ameritric (4-1)-Comes off a dull effort versus $40k claimers and that came on an off track. Has only 1 win on a wet surface, now comes right back and lands in a soft spot. Did beat this kind back on 6-25 and hasn't been in this cheap since. Found the water too deep facing $40k claimers, now faces a beatable field and could offer a square price. Gets a positive drive change and Brent Holland should have in position to win around the last turn.7-4-3Check me out on X!

Each day during the 17-day Keeneland Fall Meet, I’ll spotlight the double-digit morning line prices that you’ll want to consider for your exotics plays. These are based on my top-3 choices in each race and will only appear if they’re in my mix and of significant odds.Form held Saturday of Fall Stars Weekend as the stakes-laden card saw no winners above 6-1 odds until the stakes passed and the finale was won at 9-1. Double-digit horses were hard to come by and Sunday lines up similarly in my early handicapping.Race 3:#6 City of Life (12-1 ML) – Last-out maiden breaker from Ellis Park, a circuit off to a better-than-usual start to the Keeneland Fall Meet, is my second choice behind favorite #8 Terrapin Station and could add exacta juice if not able to upset. He’s by City of Light a fantastic Kee dirt sire who won 32% with his offspring on the dirt here over the past 3 meets. This 4-year-old old takes on mostly 3-year-olds today.Race 4:#6 Barrel Roll (12-1 ML) – Tabbed third by me in this 2-year-old maiden route on dirt off a field-splitting fifth in his Saratoga sprint debut. The runaway winner he chased, American History, came back to win yesterday’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity. Use with #4 Damavand and ##7 Belzoni in the exotics.Race 5:#3 Murdock (15-1 ML) – I like #4 Mountain Bear here as one of my best bets on the card, but the price horse next door that an really help the tris and supers in this full-field turf sprint is Murdock He’s drawn beautifully for a top-notch turf sprint trainer in Larry Rivelli and is 1-for-1 over the course with an allowance win here in April. Excuse that last at unpredictable Kentucky Downs and the case looks stronger.

Northfield Park has a 15-race card featuring Ohio Sires Stakes Championships. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 11. The Spot Plays are in Race 11, Race 12, Race 13. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)6-Hilltpop Sonar (4-1)-Skimmed the pegs and picked up a win at Dayton and will need a big try versus this kind but can compete here. Has the gate speed to land in an up-close seat, perhaps a pocket ride. My take is the morning line price is too low and could be overlooked. Driver Chris Page needs to be sharp and if so, could surprise at a solid price.6-5-1Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)5-Wicked Character (9-1)-Will take a swing with Aaron Merriman on a Ron Burke veteran who can leave as fast as the gate car. Has hit the board in 8 of 14 with 6 pictures at Nfld. This might not be 1st time Merriman but it his 1st time driving in some time, and he posts 33% winners for this outfit. The prices is right to use on top and in gimmicks. Could provide some pop for the Pick 4 sequence.8-1-2Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)8-Disgruntled Carl (7/2)-Beat this kind in last, left from post 7 and dropped to the back of the pack. Didn't rush to get going, then rolled the back half in 55.4, and drew off despite a wide trip. Toyed with the last field and now draws further out, but that shouldn't be an issue if comes with the same effort.8-9-7Check me out on X!