Picks for the $1,000 Saratoga KDBC/BCBC Qualifier tournament

Saturday’s 12-race card at Saratoga is the focus of five TwinSpires tournaments, including a high-profile KDBC/BCBC qualifier.

The complete list of Saturday’s Saratoga tournaments is as follows:

• $1,000 Saratoga KDBC/BCBC Qualifier
• $91 Saratoga Bet and Set Feeder to 8/23 Saratoga SSBC Qualifier
• $40 Saratoga Challenge
• $150 Saratoga Challenge
• $200 Saratoga Feeder to 8/28 Saratoga SSBC Qualifier

The $1,000 Saratoga KDBC/BCBC Qualifier requires players to bet their entire $500 bankroll across at least five races at Saratoga. At least $50 must be wagered in a given race for it to count toward the five-race minimum.

Depending on the number of participants, the tournament could award multiple entries into the 2027 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC) and 2026 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) to the top finishers.

Here are a few wagers we recommend playing in the $1,000 Saratoga KDBC/BCBC Qualifier:

Race 2

This $80,000 allowance optional claimer taking place over 1 3/8 miles on turf looks like the right spot for #8 Arkhipov (3-1) to shine.

Arkhipov ran well at this course, distance, and class level on July 17. After rating in midfield behind a slow pace, he clocked his final quarter-mile in :22.45 per the Equibase GPS result chart to finish second, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths.

Arkhipov retains the services of two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat and should be charging hard down the Saratoga homestretch.

• $50 to win on #8 Arkhipov
• $10 Double: 8 with 1
  Total: $60

Race 3

#1 Powerline (8-5) is a logical favorite to win this 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight for juveniles. He didn’t get the best trip when debuting in a six-furlong sprint at this track and class level on July 18, but he gradually passed rivals to finish second (4 1/2 lengths ahead of the third-place runner) and earned a decent 81 Brisnet Speed rating.

With this experience under his belt, Powerline can move forward and take first prize on Saturday. It’s encouraging to note he’s picking up hot jockey Jose Ortiz, a 25% winner at Saratoga this meet and a 32% winner teaming up with trainer Steve Asmussen over the last two months.

#6 American History (10-1), a well-bred first-time starter from the barn of Todd Pletcher, is worth using for second place in an exacta.

• $40 to win on #1 Powerline
• $10 Exacta: 1 with 6
  Total: $50

Race 11

The feature event on the card is the Alabama (G1) for three-year-old fillies racing 1 1/4 miles on dirt. #6 Counting Stars (1-2), already victorious in the Acorn (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga this year, is a formidable favorite.

We suggest betting Counting Stars on top of a trifecta. Underneath, use $55,000 allowance optional claiming winner #4 My Gun’s Loaded (3-1) and recent maiden winner #2 Ati Girl (10-1).

• $25 Trifecta: 6 with 2,4 with 2,4 ($50)

Good luck!