Handicapper's Corner: 2026 Fayette Stakes (G3)

 

 Fayette Stakes Betting Strategy can Boost Your Breeders' Cup Bankroll

BY: Robert Marks, (@theyreinthegate)

We have a Grade 3 race for 3 Year Olds and Upward at Keenland this Saturday- 1 1/8 miles with a $350,000 purse. We have a competitive field featuring 12 horses.

The 2026 Hagyard Fayette Stakes shapes up as a competitive race only 1 weekend before the Breeders’ Cup. As you load up your betting account for the Breeders Cup, just leave some in the Budget to bet this race as an appetizer to the big weekend coming up. 

Here is our analysis:

#7 Stars and Stripes at 3-1 is my top value selection. Bill Mott is the Trainer with Luis Saez the Jockey. What’s not to like? He owns the field's best speed figure of 108 (Brisnet) in his last race at Belmont (Jockey Club Gold Cup). His record shows 5 wins out of 10 starts. He also will have no problem going 2 turns. The 3-1 odds might be a bit short but if he goes off at Post time at 3-1 or higher he is a must use in your Exactas and Trifectas.

#4 Nevada Beach at 6-1 trained by Bob Baffert with Francisco Arrieta as the Jockey is my second selection. He comes into the race off a competitive 3^rd in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes, showing that this 4-year-old colt is still in great form. This came off a 7-month layoff.  His running style will put him near the pace, and speed wise I would put him second only to Stars and Stripes. He ran a 106-speed figure back in the Native Diver Stakes in 2025. At 6-1, if you think he is likely to improve on a 2^nd time out off a long layoff this looks like a logical contender to finish in the top three.

#2 This is Uscar at 10-1 Trained by Jordan Blair with Edgar Morales on board, is my third selection and perhaps the most interesting alternative to the shorter-priced horses. His Brisnet 100 speed figure in the 9/26/26 Lukas Classic (Grade II) puts him right there with the favorites.

His tactical running style will help should there be a contested hot early pace. This 5-year-old gelding is consistently in the money (15 times out of 21 starts) and with lesser-known connections I expect his odds to may float up to 12-1 or so, making him a sound pick at big odds.   

For a longshot, #10 Silent Tactic at 15-1 odds is my choice. This 3-year-old colt won the Oklahoma Debry on 9/27/26 after settling off the early pace and taking the lead. Also had a nice year overall, finishing 2^nd in the Arkansas Derby and 3^rd in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga this summer. He also ran in the Travers but was disappointing and was eased in the race. But his next time out in the Oklahoma Derby he won and was no worse for the wear. Plus, I love the Trainer /Jockey connections in Mark Casse and Javier Castellanno.

My value selections: #7 Stars and Stripes #6 Nevada Beach, #2 This is Uscar. Longshot: #10 Silent Tactic

Note: Irad Ortiz Jr broke his ankle on 10/22/26 and will not be the Jockey on # 1 Hit Show.

This will be an interesting race.  We look for a moderate to fast pace as most of the field are early pace setter types.  I see This is Uscar and Silent Tactic among the early leaders with Stars and Stripes and Nevada Beach finishing strong late.  As always watch the Horses in the Paddock and the odds as Post time approaches and then make final selections accordingly.

Bets: $100 dollar Budget

$5 Trifecta Box: Stars and Stripes, Nevada Beach, This is Uscar (total bet $30)

$10 Exacta Box:  Stars and Stripes, Nevada Beach, (total bet $60)

$5 Win Bet: Starts and Stripes (Total bet: $5)

$5 Place Bet: Silent Tactic (Total Bet: $5)

 

Handicapper's Corner: 2026 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1)

  

The Doctor Diagnoses the Pace

By: Michael Amo, ThoroFan Chair 

The race is named for entertainer Bing Crosby, a founding partner of Del Mar Racetrack and a racehorse owner and breeder. Its inaugural running came in 1946, as it completes its eighth consecutive year this year. In 1946, the race ended in a dead heat between War Allies and Indian Watch.

This year will be a perfect Southern Californian day for racing, with the temperature hovering around seventy-eight degrees with zero chance for precipitation. Nine horses, 3-year-old and up, will run six furlongs for a share of the $400,000 purse. Featured as race 10 of 11, post time is 6:40 PM PT

Let us look at the field.

 

 

1.   Maximum Bourbon (Maximum Security) comes to Del Mar for the first time to take on horses that have more graded experience than him. By the purchase price of $400,000, his connections think highly of his chances. He belongs to a cohort of horses that appear to want a fast pace.

2.   Listenupshance (Shancelot) This one has a similar challenge against this field. His last showed his prowess in a grade three race, The True North at Saratoga on the undercard on Belmont Stakes Day, which he lost by 3/4s of a length to Book’em Danno. Jockey Jaramillo returns to ride. He is 2-for-2 at Del Mar, which should mean something.

3.   Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper) The race is the second of a layoff, before which he ran third in the 2925 in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI). He has won four out of seven tries at Del Mar. His running style suggests he will love the likely early pace. Jockey Rispoli, who piloted him in that Breeders’ Cup race returns.

4.   For All Mankind (Into Mischief) He is a private purchase at an undisclosed amount which suggests the owner has extreme confidence in him. Although his performance will have to improve greatly to have his picture taken against these.

5.   Stronghold (Ghostzapper) He won his last race in 2026, a grade three, by 2.5 lengths after about a seven-week layoff. With five grade one races under his girth this group is in his wheelhouse.

6.   Cornucopian (Into Mischief) He is trained by Bob Baffert, who holds the record for wins in this race. His last highlighted his speed by recording a 103 Beyer, which paired him with four others who topped the 100 level. Could go wire-to-wire if the others are not paying attention.

7.   Gold Sweep (Speightstown) Although new to Del Mar and stepping up in conditions is one who will love a speed duel. Gets Jockey Money Mike Smith, who is at home at Del Mar and can never be counted out. His bullet workout screams ready.

8.   Mad House (Vekoma) Comes in with a bullet workout and a 102 Beyer in a gate-to-wire race at Oaklawn Park in a grade three event in April. Has the hard-knocking, all-business jockey Leon, who has won with him in similar fashion in March. He will be blasting out of the gate hoping to get in front for the rest of the race. Big challenge.

9.   Moon Light (Audible) Victor Espinoza, his new jockey, had better be ready to call an audible at the right time as he closes from far back down the stretch. A win is a tough ask, since his showing in grade three races leaves much to be desired.

 

The key to sorting through the race is pace. Four of the horses run their best on the front end, suggesting that the pace in this six-furlong event will be hot, with a good chance they will be vulnerable to off the pace runners. The one and the six are most likely to endure the pace but suffer from it. The two and the three will be coming in the stretch trying to pass the front runners.

Here is how I believe the race will end: 

#3-Dr, Venkman (4-1)

#2-Listenupshance (8-1)

#6-Cornucopian (3-)

#1-Maximum Bourbon (7/2)

 

Handigamble ($100) 

$20 to win on Dr. Venkman $20

$40 to place on Dr. Venkman $40

$2 Exact Box—Dr. Venkman/Listenupshance/Cornucopian $12

$1 Trifecta Box-Dr. Venkman/Listenupshance/Cornucopian/Maximum Bourbon $24

$4 to treat yourself. 

Good Luck but Keep the Day Job!