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The 38th edition of the Breeders’ Cup will kick off two days of action Friday afternoon at Keeneland.

A lot of eyes will be on the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and with so many high-profile races in the mix, there are numerous opportunities to wager on horses that offer significant value.

Chris “The Bear” Fallica and Anita Marks give us their breakdowns.


Breeders’ Cup Friday

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Fallica: In a race full of front end speed, I will be looking to the closers on top. (2) Kaufymaker has the potential to be the longest priced of the Wesley Ward runners and that’s always a good thing. (10) Time to Party gets about the best connections you could have in California Turf sprints — Flavien Prat riding for Peter Miller. It’s is second start vs. winners and showed he could sit off the pace in his last start. (7) Armor looks like the best of the Euros to me. I’d be looking to use the latter two for sure in exotics and multi-race wagers.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Fallica: (11) Haughty has run two great races from just off the pace, her first resulting in an unfortunate DQ, but she ran even better in her second start and with the other Chad Brown runner in the field and the Euros in the field, might get forgotten about in the wagering. (6) Hello You won for fun at 7 furlongs at Newmarket and should have no issue stretching out to a mile. (12) Malavath beat the boys last out and should be another sitting just off the leaders at a nice price.

Juvenile Favorite

Fallica: (1) Jack Christopher drew the rail and that’s probably not a good thing given he has to stretch out further than he’s run and will be on the lead. I get the feeling (10) Commandperformance will be the trendy upsetter so will tread carefully with him. (4) Pappacap could light the toteboard up. He’s run well at DMR, breaking his maiden here and again when drawing the rail in the Del Mar Futurity and then chased lone speed Corniche in the American Pharaoh.

Marks: The best 2-year-old males in the country compete in this race, and the winner becomes next year’s Kentucky Derby favorite. I like the (1) Jack Christopher to win. His is trainer is Chad Brown and jockey is Jose Ortiz, who is the perfect jockey, considering he drew the inside post. Jack Christopher has the distance and is my pick to win.

Plays: (1) Jack Christopher to win; Exacta Box (1/4/10)

Juvenile Turf

Fallica: I’d be very surprised if one of the Appleby runners (1) Modern Games or (2) Albahr didn’t win here. And the best part is you’re still looking at likely a few $10 winner here. (10) Portfolio Company should complete what appears to be a very formful race.

Breeders’ Cup Saturday

Turf Sprint

Fallica: (11) Fast Boat ran huge on Oaks Day and then again at Saratoga off the layoff. He was bet to less than 5-1 at Kentucky Downs and didn’t have a great trip at all that day. Drawn outside now, he should get clear sailing to make a late run. (5) Arrest Me Red might fall into a perfect spot sitting right off (3) Golden Pal and (4) Lieutenant Dan.

Dirt Mile

Fallica: If (5) Life is Good wins, I lose. The lone 3-year old in the field is stepping up big-time in class and despite a win vs. three badly overmatched opponents in the Kelso, he’s no bargain at 4-5. (3) Ginoibili should be with him ever step of the way and is coming off two huge wins over the track. If those two duel themselves into the ground, I’ll also use (7) Snapper Sinclair going turf to dirt and stretching out for trainer Steve Asmussen, who is coming off an unusually cold Keeneland meet.

Filly and Mare Turf

Fallica: (7) War Like Goddess is a vulnerable favorite here as I don’t see a huge speed duel to set up her awesome late closing kick. She’s the best horse, but the best horse doesn’t always win. There’s a very good chance (1) Going to Vegas is lone speed in here. After Flavien Prat, there isn’t another jockey I want on California turf than Umberto Rispoli. She may get brave and forget to stop. The other which I could see near the lead is (12) Audarya, who may need to send from post 12 to avoid a horror trip. If she breaks and sits second or third, I’d like her chances a whole lot. (4) Rougir would also be on any spread pick four or five tickets, as she is a stalking type.

Sprint

Fallica: (2) Jackie’s Warrior is entering the race off three straight career-tops and draws inside. He has to be a bet-against here. (3) C Z Rocket hasn’t won since April. but do you really want to leave a Peter Miller sprinter off your ticket at double-digit odds? The last two times (7) Lexitonian was 20-1 in a sprint race, he won the Vanderbilt and just missed on Derby Day in the Churchill Downs. Leave the versatile runner off your tickets at your own risk.

Marks: This race is 6 furlongs, on dirt. (2) Jackie’s Warrior is the one to beat, and I doubt anyone can, considering he is the fastest horse in this field. His only loss was due to a gate issue. I don’t necessarily like the draw, but I love his jockey, Joel Rosario, who will make up for the post spot.

Plays: (2) Jackie’s Warrior to win; Exacta Box (2/6/9)

Mile

Fallica: (3) Space Blues might be the best bet Saturday given he should be around 3-1 or so. I’ll definitely have press tickets in multi-race wagers with him singled.

Distaff

Fallica: (6) Letruska is another short-price I will attempt to beat. (2) Royal Flag has never finished out of the money, will get the benefit of a speed-duel and will be close to double-digits. She also just missed vs. Letruska at Saratoga in August. Another Chad Brown runner (11) Dunbar Road was 5th in this race last year, but her form is better entering this race and also just ran two very respectable races vs. the favorite. I’ll probably avoid the three-year olds (3) Malathaat and (5) Clairiere as I’m not sure they are going to offer close to true odds.

Marks: The Distaff is the championships race for the ladies. Whoever wins this race, will be crowned female horse of the year. The race is on dirt for a mile and an 8th. (6) Letruska is the favorite and with good reason, but there will be a ton of competition.

Pick: (6) Letruska to win; Exacta Box (6/2/3)

Turf

Fallica: (13) Tarnawa won this race last year at Keeneland at close to 5-1 and is a threat to pull the repeat, although 9-5 is a little short for my liking, especially with (3) Domestic Spending in the race. I wouldn’t be surprised if the latter brings Tarnawa’s price above 2-1. I usually am cool on Aidan O’Brien horses here, but (14) Japan will be on my ticket at 20-1. Ryan Moore probably got him beat off the plane in the race at Saratoga and then he was just flat in the second race in the U.S. Moore is back up and I would expect a peak effort here.

Classic

Fallica: If (8) Medina Spirit wins, I lose. There’s no way he’s getting a clear lead with faster horses like (5) Knicks Go to his inside. I want to like (6) Art Collector in here, but I just don’t know if Mike Smith can get him to sit. Anyone that’s around for the battle up front, likely won’t be there at the end. But I’ll be using. Sentimentally, I am rooting for (3) Hot Rod Charlie, but he’s adding blinkers and I’m not sure that’s going to allow him to relax. We’ll see. (4) Essential Quality hasn’t made it easy vs. 3-year olds, now he’s got to face elders. He’s probably too short to endorse. (1) Tripoli has a huge shot here at 15-1 for trainer John Sadler. Tripoli was just 5-2 or so vs. Medina Spirit at Santa Anita, had a parking lot trip from an outside post and gets a huge rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz. He won the Pacific Classic at DMR and just missed in the San Diego. He’s a must-use in my book.

Marks: The season all comes down to this. The ultimate championship race of the season. It won’t get more exciting than this $6 million race! Whoever wins is crowned horse of the year! Knicks Go is the favorite and will be the fastest horse in the race. Essential Quality will present a great challenge, after winning 8 of his last 9 races — his only loss was in the Derby. Hot Rod Charlie, is always in the mix, but has fallen short – could this be his day with jockey Flavien Pratt on the reins.

Plays: (4) Essential Quality to win; Exacta Box (4/3/5)

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Horns’ Ewers leads ‘new era’ of college football

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Horns' Ewers leads 'new era' of college football

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday that quarterback Quinn Ewers, with the emergence of name, image and likeness and the transfer portal, has become the face of this “new era of college football.”

Ewers initially committed to Texas, but he then opted to skip his senior year of high school and reclassify to the 2021 recruiting class before enrolling a year early and joining Ohio State during preseason practice.

Still the nation’s No. 1 ranked overall prospect, Ewers landed one of the first marquee NIL deals worth $1.4 million.

Ewers, who lasted one season with the Buckeyes before transferring to Texas, will square off against Ohio State on Friday night in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl with a trip to the College Football Playoff national championship on the line.

“It’s not been an easy journey for him,” Sarkisian said Thursday. “There’s been ups, there’s been downs, there’s been injuries, there’s been great moments, there’s been tough moments. … But at the end of the day, he’s always stayed true to who he is. The guy’s been a steady sea for us.”

Ewers has been making college football headlines since Ohio State offered him a scholarship when he was just in middle school. This week, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day recalled meeting Ewers for the first time when he was an eighth-grader visiting a Buckeyes football camp.

“He was a boy at the time really, who just had a tremendous release,” Day recalled. “And I remember grabbing him and grabbing his dad and said, ‘Man, you got a bright future ahead of you. I don’t know if this is good or bad, but we’re going to offer you a scholarship to Ohio State.'”

C.J. Stroud, who has since led the Houston Texans to the NFL playoffs, emerged as a star quarterback for the Buckeyes then, prompting Ewers to transfer to Texas.

“Boy, it was strange how it all shook out,” Day said. “He decided he really wanted to play. And it was disappointing for us, but we certainly understood. From afar I’ve watched him. He’s a really good player. He comes from a great family, and he’s had a great career at Texas and a lot of people here still have good relationships with him and think the world of him.”

At Texas, Ewers has started in 27 wins and led the Longhorns to back-to-back playoff appearances. This season, he has thrown for 3,189 yards and 29 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

Ewers noted that the “coolest part” of the NIL era is being able to provide for his parents. He has even hired his mom, making her CFO of his finances while giving her a salary.

“Which is nice just because all the effort and work they put into me growing up,” he said. “I mean, when we were living in South Texas, they both quit their jobs and moved up to Southlake [to support Ewers’ budding athletic career].”

Whatever happens in the playoff — whether it be a loss Friday or a national championship victory against the winner of Notre DamePenn State on Jan. 20 — Ewers’ career at Texas figures to be coming to a close.

Though Ewers still has one season of eligibility remaining, blue-chip quarterback prospect Arch Manning appears primed to finally take over in Austin next season.

Manning, the nephew of NFL quarterback greats Peyton and Eli Manning, who could become the No. 1 overall prospect for the 2026 NFL draft, has backed up Ewers for two seasons waiting for his opportunity. Sarkisian even momentarily benched Ewers in favor of Manning during Texas’ 30-15 loss to Georgia on Oct. 19.

Still, Ewers figures to have options.

ESPN football analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the No. 6 quarterback prospect eligible for the upcoming draft. Rumors have also emerged recently that Ewers could put off the NFL for another year and transfer to a third school for millions more in NIL money.

Amid those distractions, Ewers has thrived in the playoff bouncing back from oblique and ankle injuries from earlier in the year to complete 69% of his passes with four touchdowns in Texas’ two victories.

In the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl quarterfinal, Ewers tossed 29- and 25-yard touchdown passes in the overtimes, lifting Texas to the 39-31 win over Arizona State.

“I’ve just been proud of him,” Sarkisian said, “because he’s found a source for him that has been a motivating factor, where he can play free and play loose and play confident.”

Ewers added that, whatever the future holds, even contemplating it now would be “selfish,” with a national title still in reach for him and the Longhorns.

“I owe my teammates the best version of me right now,” he said. “I can’t be looking forward or I’ll trip on the rock that’s sitting right in front of me. I’ve got to be locked in on what’s right here.”

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Texas RT Williams back in lineup for CFP semi

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Texas RT Williams back in lineup for CFP semi

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas starting right tackle Cameron Williams will return for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State on Friday, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday.

Williams suffered a right knee sprain in the playoff opener against Clemson. The injury forced him to miss Texas’ quarterfinal overtime victory over Arizona State.

A junior, Williams has played in 37 games in his career with 16 starts for the Longhorns. Williams is rated as the No. 28 overall prospect and fifth offensive tackle in ESPN’s NFL draft rankings.

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Sources: Georgia QB Beck enters transfer portal

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Sources: Georgia QB Beck enters transfer portal

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has entered the NCAA transfer portal, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.

Beck had declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 28 but is now reversing course and will explore a transfer.

Sources told ESPN that Miami looms as the favorite for Beck and the timeline for his decision is expected to play out within a week.

While Miami is the favorite for Beck, a source said Beck’s camp intends to listen to all potential suitors for the best situation: “It’s a strategic thing, not an emotional thing,” the source said.

Beck, a two-year starter at Georgia, is currently recovering from surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow after suffering the injury during the Bulldogs’ SEC championship victory over Texas.

Beck will not be able to throw until March, sources told ESPN, which would have complicated his NFL draft process and will likely force him to miss spring practice at his next school. Sources said the variety of feedback he got from the draft process led to this decision, as he changed his mind in the past 24 hours. He received advice that if he could return and wanted to, he should probably return and play another season in college.

A source said Beck received feedback that he could end up anywhere between the first and third round, with much of that uncertainty due to the fact that he would not be able to throw for a team in predraft workouts.

Despite that injury setback, Beck will immediately become the most coveted quarterback available as a late entry to the transfer market. While Miami looms as the favorite, there are other big brand teams that could jump out as suitors including Texas Tech and Notre Dame.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior went 24-3 as the Bulldogs’ starter and was viewed as a potential No. 1 draft pick entering the 2024 season. He threw for 3,485 yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season and led Georgia back to the SEC title game.

Beck injured his elbow on the final play of the first half against Texas on Dec. 7. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed Beck’s surgery on Dec. 23 in Los Angeles.

“He wants to win,” said the source close to Beck. “He didn’t come back to get knocked out at halftime of a conference championship.”

Entering his fifth college season, Beck was viewed as a potential top-10 draft pick. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. currently considers Beck the No. 5 quarterback in his draft rankings.

Miami has not added a transfer quarterback this offseason to succeed Cam Ward, the potential No. 1 pick. They’ve quietly been canvassing the transfer market in recent weeks, per sources, as they have been set on bringing in a front-line starter who can produce immediately, much like Ward did.

Ward made a similar decision last January, initially declaring for the NFL draft but changing his mind and transferring to join the Hurricanes after he was unsatisfied with his draft feedback. Ward finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in his lone season in the program after producing 4,313 passing yards and 43 total touchdowns.

On3 first reported Beck’s intentions to enter the portal.

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