Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga | Free Horse Racing Picks

By Adam Thompson

Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EST

Used 35 Times Today

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If you bet $5 on the picks for the 2021 TVG Pacific Classic from Bookies.com handicapper Adam Thompson in August, your account would be $232 fatter. That’s just the latest in a string of horse racing betting success for Thompson, who won $480 on a $10 wager at the 2021 Preakness Stakes and hit the exacta at the Belmont Stakes, taking $75 on a $10 bet.

Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga

Saturday, Sept. 4 | 6:46 p.m. ET | NBCSN

We’re setting our sites this week on the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga. The horse racing odds at top sportsbooks for the weekend’s Jockey Club Gold Cup have three horses near the top of the morning line odds at TwinSpires, among other betting sites.

The field is led by No. 1 FORZA DI ORO, who has won three straight races and four of six in his young career. This will be Forza’s first Grade 1 stakes race. The Bill Mott-trained horse is one of several win contenders in the six-horse field. No. 4 HAPPY SAVER (8-5) has won five of six races all-time, including this one last year. However, he took third in his last race, the G2 Suburban Handicap, behind winner and the No. 2 in this race, MAX PLAYER (5-2).

No. 5 NIGHT OPS (6-1) has finished in the money in 17 of 24 races; No. 3 CHESS CHIEF (12-1) has won just four of 24 races but that includes the G2 New Orleans Handicap last time out; and No. 6 FOREWARNED (20-1) will be making his 41st career appearance.

What separates the top three? Max Player just beat Happy Saver, but it was on a sloppy track at Belmont. Max Player is 2-for-2 in the slop, but perfect conditions are expected on Saturday.

My preference goes to Happy Saver to get the edge on Max Player this time. We’ll also toss a flyer on Forza Di Oro to win or take second. The other two big favorites have already qualified for the Breeders’ Cup. This field will be a step up for Forza, but it’s the best chance for Mott to get this ride in the big race at De Mar.

Here’s how we’re betting the race; you can lay out your bet at TwinSpires racing book and on their sports betting app:

Exacta Box: 1 with 4

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Adam Thompson

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Long established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine & CBSSports.com. He specializes in the NFL and MLB, where he's hit on well over 60% of his picks the past five years. Adam's NBA and horse racing picks have also produced consistent, major winners over the years.