Goodwood Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Sep 27)

A key race weekend in the diary ahead of the Breeders’ Cup is set for Santa Anita this Saturday. The feature comes in the form of the G1 Goodwood Stakes, which ensures the winner a spot in the Classic at the start of November. You can find the odds and our Goodwood Stakes picks here.

Odds

Goodwood Stakes Recent Winners

Goodwood Stakes: Event Information

Race Preview

A spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be up for grabs at Santa Anita this weekend, as a talented field of seven go to post in the G1 Goodwood Stakes. On paper, it appears to lack a bit of star power, with standout dirt horses Sovereignty and Journalism both not involved.

Full Serrano could go off as a hot favorite for the John Sadler team this weekend. The Argentine-bred runner was an extremely eye-catching winner on his return to action at Del Mar earlier this month, and his record on the dirt in the U.S. is very impressive, winning the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and taking second in the G1 Pacific Classic.

It could be argued that First Mission boasts the best form lines over the distance, having competed at the highest level throughout his career for Brad Cox. However, the five-year-old has regularly come up short, including when only second in the G3 Phillip H. Iselin and third in the G1 Stephen Foster.

Bob Baffert’s record in this race deserves huge respect, and due to that, his two runners shouldn’t be underestimated. Gaming was previously a high class juvenile, winning the G1 Del Mar Futurity and taking second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Has looked back to that level at Santa Anita already this year after landing the Affirmed Stakes in June.

Goodwood Stakes Picks

Based on the unknowns this weekend, the excellently bred Nevada Beach for Bob Baffert could be a value angle. The three-year-old is clearly the most unexposed runner in this race, and he has already competed at a high standard this year, including last time when landing the Los Alamitos Derby. It’s likely that he hasn’t yet reached his ceiling, and the experienced Mike Smith is aboard on Saturday.

Other Santa Anita Picks for Sep 27