2025 Breeders’ Cup: Rolling Pick 3s Best Bet

Rolling Pick 3s offer horseplayers the opportunity to leverage their opinions, allowing them to scout out sequences of their fancy, and bettors will face challenging Pick 3 options on Saturday's Breeders' Cup card at Del Mar. 

I'll focus on the following play.

Breeders’ Cup Rolling Pick 3 Wager

• Race 7, $3 Pick 3: 1,4,12 with 8 with 2,5,8,10 ($36)

Race 7: Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), 5:01 p.m. ET

#8 Seismic Beauty (9-5 morning line), who has been unraced since early August and will make only her second start since May, has had everything her own way on easy leads against short fields since stretching to a route three back. She will look to sprint clear in a less-than-stellar edition of the Distaff, but a couple of rivals to her inside have registered superior Brisnet Early Pace numbers in recent starts and are eligible to apply pressure. I will try to beat Seismic Beauty at a short price.

#12 Dorth Vader (5-1) made only one start last year and has thrived at the 1 1/8-mile Distaff distance since returning this season, recording a convincing win in the Ogden Phipps (G1) three back and a nose second to retired Thorpedo Anna in the Personal Ensign (G1) last out. She earned triple-digit Speed ratings for both efforts and is eligible to receive a favorable up-close stalking trip from the outside. Top choice.

#4 Scylla (15-1) showed an affinity for Del Mar, finishing second in last year’s Clement Hirsch (G1), and looks primed to show speed following a troubled start in the Spinster; upset candidate. #1 Nitrogen (4-1) didn’t draw well at the rail, but she’s eligible to offer a strong showing from just off the pace if she works out the trip.

Race 8: Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), 5:41 p.m. ET

A winner of three consecutive Group 1s in England and Ireland, #8 Minnie Hauk (8-5) displayed her versatility, recording an outstanding head second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) over extremely soft ground. The three-year-old filly prefers firmer footing, owns good tactical speed, and Aidan O’Brien is a 20-time Breeders’ Cup race winner. I will single her.

Race 9: Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), 6:25 p.m. ET

The defection of Sovereignty leads to a more competitive race, and I did not like the rail draw for #1 Fierceness (5-2), who inherits the role of morning line favorite. I will include the impressive Pacific Classic (G1) winner in the Pick 3, but #10 Antiquarian (10-1), who has really come on since stretching to 10 furlongs two back, is the top choice. #5 Forever Young (7-2), a troubled third from the innermost post last year, will also be used.