Fourteen Grade 1 races at Keeneland would, in fact, fill most weekends on their own. This one, however, keeps going after the Classic. Tokyo runs the Tenno Sho (Autumn) in the small hours of Sunday, Belmont Park stages the Bold Ruler (G3) and Forty Niner (G3) that afternoon, and Santa Anita closes its Autumn Meet with the Twilight Derby (G2). Then, late on Monday night ET, Flemington runs the A$10.2 million Melbourne Cup.
So our weekend racing preview covers every card from Friday, October 30 to Tuesday, November 3. You also get the post times in Eastern time, the horses we like and links to our full Breeders’ Cup 2026 guide.
Horse Racing This Weekend: Day by Day Schedule
Friday and Saturday belong to Keeneland, although Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita all run stakes around the Breeders’ Cup. Sunday starts in Tokyo before dawn, then moves to Belmont Park, Woodbine and Santa Anita’s closing day. Remember that clocks fall back at 2am on Sunday, so every Sunday time below is EST.
| Day | Track | Stakes and Post Times (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 30 | Keeneland | Five Breeders' Cup races from 2:55pm to 5:35pm |
| Friday, October 30 | Belmont Park | Athenia (Listed) at 2:35pm |
| Friday, October 30 | Gulfstream Park | Our Dear Peggy at 3:05pm, then Cellars Shiraz at 5:45pm |
| Saturday, October 31 | Keeneland | Nine Breeders' Cup races from 1:10pm to 6:16pm |
| Saturday, October 31 | Belmont Park | Knickerbocker (Listed) at 3:58pm, then Key Cents at 4:38pm |
| Saturday, October 31 | Gulfstream Park | Armed Forces at 3:25pm, then Showing Up at 5:55pm |
| Saturday, October 31 | Santa Anita | Golden State Juvenile at 4:30pm, Goldikova (G3) at 7:00pm and Golden State Juvenile Fillies at 7:30pm |
| Saturday, October 31 | Zia Park | Opening day, Quarter Horses from 2:05pm |
| Sunday, November 1 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn, G1) at 1:40am |
| Sunday, November 1 | Belmont Park | Bold Ruler (G3) and Forty Niner (G3), so first post is 11:30am |
| Sunday, November 1 | Woodbine | Grey (G3) and Mazarine (G3), with first post at 1:00pm |
| Sunday, November 1 | Churchill Downs | No stakes, but racing returns at 1:00pm |
| Sunday, November 1 | Santa Anita | Twilight Derby (G2) on closing day, once Santa Anita draws the card |
| Monday, November 2 | Flemington | Melbourne Cup (G1) at 11:00pm |
All times are Eastern. Because clocks fall back at 2am on Sunday, Sunday and Monday times are EST. The Melbourne Cup runs on Tuesday, November 3 in Melbourne.
Breeders’ Cup 2026 at Keeneland
Above all, the 43rd Breeders’ Cup brings 14 Grade 1 races and $30 million in purses to Lexington. Keeneland drew the fields on Monday, so we now have post positions and morning lines for every race. Meanwhile, scratches close at 8am ET on each race day.
Future Stars Friday: Hughes Leads Five Juvenile Championships
Five races for two-year-olds run from the Juvenile Turf Sprint at 2:55pm ET to the Juvenile Turf at 5:35pm ET. Hughes is the even money (1/1) morning line favorite for the $2 million Juvenile, the shortest price on Friday’s card. He drew post 5 with Flavien Prat riding, while he is also unbeaten in four starts for Bob Baffert. After that, Sun Goddess comes next at 6/5 in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
In short, our Friday picks run Libertango, Emphatic, Sun Goddess, Hughes and Folsom Blues in race order. For every field and price, then, read our Future Stars Friday guide and our full Breeders’ Cup Juvenile 2026 preview.
Championship Saturday: Forever Young Defends the Classic
Nine Grade 1s run from the Filly and Mare Sprint at 1:10pm ET to the $7 million Classic at 6:16pm ET. Once again, Forever Young is the 2/1 favorite from post 5 as he tries to join Tiznow as the only two-time Classic winner. Sovereignty sits next at 5/2, while Knightsbridge stayed in the Classic at 9/2 instead of dropping back to the Dirt Mile.
That decision changed one of our picks. Since Knightsbridge left the Dirt Mile, we switch to Forged Steel at 15/1. By contrast, Englishman is 4/5 in the Sprint, the shortest price on Saturday. Diamond Necklace leads the Turf at 3/1, while Nitrogen is the 6/5 favorite in the Distaff.
For more, our Championship Saturday guide has a pick in all nine races. For the three biggest races, also go to our Breeders’ Cup Classic 2026 preview, Breeders’ Cup Turf 2026 preview and Breeders’ Cup Distaff 2026 preview.
Tenno Sho (Autumn) 2026 at Tokyo Racecourse
The 174th Tenno Sho (Autumn) runs as Race 11 at Tokyo on Sunday, November 1, at 3:40pm local time. In other words, it goes at 1:40am ET on Sunday, after the clocks fall back. The Grade 1 goes 2,000 meters on the turf, about 1 1/4 miles, and the winner collects ¥300 million, about $1.9 million.
Seventeen horses hold nominations for 18 places, and all of them train in Japan. JRA then confirms the final field and the draw late this week, Japan time.
| Horse | Trainer | 2026 Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Croix du Nord | Takashi Saito | Won the Osaka Hai and Tenno Sho (Spring) |
| Masquerade Ball | Takahisa Tezuka | 2025 winner; 2nd in the QEII Cup |
| Danon Decile | Shogo Yasuda | 3rd in the Osaka Hai and Takarazuka Kinen |
| Regaleira | Tetsuya Kimura | 2024 Arima Kinen winner |
Key nominations as of October 27. JRA confirms the final field, the draw and the morning odds late this week. Post time is 1:40am ET on Sunday, November 1.
Croix du Nord Chases a Third Grade 1 of 2026
In fact, Croix du Nord has been the best middle-distance horse in Japan this year. Takashi Saito’s colt won the Osaka Hai in April, then took the Tenno Sho (Spring) by a nose in May. Then in June he ran a neck second in the Takarazuka Kinen. Now Cristian Demuro takes over in the saddle.
Masquerade Ball Returns to Defend His Title
Last year Masquerade Ball won this race under Christophe Lemaire, beating Museum Mile and Justin Palace in 1:58.6. Once again Lemaire rides for Takahisa Tezuka. Still, the colt has not run since he finished seventh in the King George at Ascot in July. Before that trip, he ran second in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin in April.
Danon Decile also adds Grade 1 class. He won the 2024 Japanese Derby and the 2025 Dubai Sheema Classic, though he finished third in both the Osaka Hai and the Takarazuka Kinen this year. Finally, Regaleira, the 2024 Arima Kinen winner, is the only mare in the field.
So our pick is Croix du Nord. He has beaten this division twice already in 2026, and the defending champion comes in off a three-month break.
Melbourne Cup 2026 at Flemington
The Melbourne Cup runs at 3pm on Tuesday, November 3 in Melbourne, which is 11pm ET on Monday, November 2. As a Grade 1 handicap, it goes 3,200 meters, about two miles, for A$10.2 million, or roughly US$7.2 million. Victoria Racing Club confirms the 24 runners on Saturday after Victoria Derby Day, then the barrier draw follows that evening in Melbourne.
| Horse | Trainer | Weight | Odds* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Of Law (GB) | Ciaron Maher | 53kg | 6/1 |
| Trustyourinstinct (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | 57kg | 8/1 |
| Defiantly (FR) | Joseph O'Brien | 56.5kg | 10/1 |
| Saint George (GB) | Ciaron Maher | 55kg | 10/1 |
| Shockletz (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | 51kg | 10/1 |
| Juja Kibo (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | 55kg | 14/1 |
*Australian fixed odds from Ladbrokes, October 26 to 27, converted to fractional. These are a guide only, and the pari-mutuel dividend settles every ticket. The final field of 24 and the barriers come out on Saturday, October 31.
Point Of Law Heads the Melbourne Cup Market
Ciaron Maher’s Point Of Law won the Geelong Cup, and the handicapper raised his weight from 51kg to 53kg in response. Even so, he remains one of the lightest horses near the top of the market, at around 6/1 with Australian bookmakers. Maher also trains Saint George, a half-length second in the Caulfield Cup, as well as Shockletz and Juja Kibo.
Joseph O’Brien’s Raiders: Trustyourinstinct and Defiantly
On top of that, Joseph O’Brien has won this race twice, with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020. This year, too, Trustyourinstinct, a Curragh Cup winner, carries 57kg for James McDonald at around 8/1. Defiantly, meanwhile, won the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay in France, which secured his place in the field, and Dylan Browne McMonagle rides.
The defending champion will almost certainly miss the race. After all, Half Yours fell in the Caulfield Cup on October 17 and does not sit in the top 24. Meanwhile, Caulfield Cup winner Kingswood will not take up his Melbourne Cup start.
Our pick is Point Of Law, because the Geelong Cup form and a light weight make a strong combination over two miles. For value, Defiantly at around 10/1 goes into our exotics.
Belmont Park Stakes From Friday to Sunday
Belmont Park adds six stakes to this weekend racing preview, and it races all three days. NYRA has also flagged that its turf stakes could move to the Tapeta course if the grass needs protecting.
| Day | Stakes | Distance | Purse | Post (ET) | Names to Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Athenia (Listed) | 1 1/8m, inner turf | $175,000 | 2:35pm | Grayosh for Chad Brown, while Joe Sharp runs Ontario and Miwa |
| Saturday | Knickerbocker (Listed) | 1 3/16m, inner turf | $175,000 | 3:58pm | Program Trading, a three-time Grade 1 winner, also has the rail |
| Saturday | Key Cents (NY-bred) | 1m, turf | $175,000 | 4:38pm | George Weaver also runs three, including Luck Penny |
| Sunday | Bold Ruler (G3) | 6f, dirt | $200,000 | After the draw | Crazy Mason, Verifire and Gate To Wire are possible, though entries come later |
| Sunday | Forty Niner (G3) | 1m, dirt | $200,000 | After the draw | Bishops Bay is probable, since he won it in 2025 |
| Sunday | Turnback the Alarm (Listed) | 1 1/8m, dirt | $175,000 | After the draw | Fillies and mares, so check the field on Thursday |
However, NYRA may move Friday and Saturday's turf stakes to the Tapeta. Morning lines come out with the program, so check the MyWinners app. Sunday's card also includes the Casa Creed and the Notebook.
Athenia and Knickerbocker Stakes
Friday’s $175,000 Athenia (Listed) goes 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf for fillies and mares, as Race 6 at 2:35pm ET. Seven runners drew in, including Chad Brown’s Grayosh.
On Saturday, the $175,000 Knickerbocker (Listed) runs 1 3/16 miles on the inner turf as Race 9 at 3:58pm ET. In that race, Program Trading, a three-time Grade 1 winner, drew the rail for Brown and Dylan Davis. Then Race 10 at 4:38pm ET is the $175,000 Key Cents, a mile on the turf for New York bred juvenile fillies.
Bold Ruler and Forty Niner Stakes on Sunday
On Sunday, the card at Belmont Park starts at 11:30am ET. The Bold Ruler (G3) and the Forty Niner (G3) each carry $200,000, up from $175,000 last year. The Bold Ruler goes six furlongs on the dirt, while the Forty Niner goes a mile on the dirt, both for three-year-olds and up. Entries draw later this week.
Bishops Bay won last year’s Forty Niner for Brad Cox, and he is the probable headliner again. In August he edged Chunk of Gold by a neck in the Philip H. Iselin (G3) at Monmouth Park. Chunk of Gold, as it happens, also runs in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. In the Bold Ruler, by contrast, Damon’s Mound won it for Bill Mott in 2025, and Crazy Mason, Verifire and Gate To Wire are among this year’s possible runners.
The same card also carries the $175,000 Turnback the Alarm (Listed) for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles, plus two more $175,000 stakes, the Casa Creed and the Notebook.
Santa Anita Closes Its Autumn Meet
Meanwhile, Santa Anita’s 19-day Autumn Meet ends on Sunday, November 1. Saturday carries three stakes, while closing day brings the Twilight Derby (G2).
| Day | Stakes | Distance | Purse | Post (ET) | Names to Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Golden State Juvenile | 7f, dirt | $175,000 | 4:30pm | Eight runners, while John Sadler sends Early Encore |
| Saturday | Goldikova (G3) | 1m, turf | $100,000 | 7:00pm | May Day Ready for Richard Mandella, while Lady In Paris runs for Phil D'Amato |
| Saturday | Golden State Juvenile Fillies | 7f, dirt | $175,000 | 7:30pm | Twelve fillies, while You Trust Me drew the rail |
| Sunday | Twilight Derby (G2) | 1 1/8m, turf | $200,000 | After the draw | Ocean Bear, Proletariat and Path To Power are possible, though Santa Anita draws later |
Sunday, November 1 is closing day of the Autumn Meet. Morning lines come out with the program, so check the MyWinners app.
Goldikova Stakes and the Golden State Series
The $100,000 Goldikova (G3) sends 11 fillies and mares a mile on the turf as Race 8, at 7:00pm ET. For example, Richard Mandella’s May Day Ready and Phil D’Amato’s Lady In Paris both drew in. Last year the race ran at Del Mar on the Breeders’ Cup undercard, where Special Wan won it. Saturday also brings two $175,000 races at seven furlongs on dirt for California bred or sired juveniles: the Golden State Juvenile at 4:30pm ET and the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at 7:30pm ET.
Twilight Derby (G2) on Closing Day
On Sunday, the $200,000 Twilight Derby goes 1 1/8 miles on the turf for three-year-olds. Test Score won it last year for Graham Motion, and this Saturday he lines up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Ocean Bear, Proletariat and Path To Power are among the possible runners, so check the MyWinners racecards once Santa Anita draws the field.
Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes
Gulfstream Park also runs four turf stakes across Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the Our Dear Peggy for two-year-old fillies goes a mile as Race 6 at 3:05pm ET, and the Cellars Shiraz for three-year-old fillies goes 1 1/16 miles as Race 10 at 5:45pm ET.
| Day | Stakes | Distance | Purse | Post (ET) | Names to Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Our Dear Peggy | 1m, turf | TBC | 3:05pm | Twelve juvenile fillies, while Saffie Joseph Jr. sends Life's Mystery |
| Friday | Cellars Shiraz | 1 1/16m, turf | TBC | 5:45pm | Saffie Joseph Jr. also runs three, including Pure Eloquence |
| Saturday | Armed Forces | 1m, turf | TBC | 3:25pm | Graham Motion runs two, so watch Indian Pharoah and Sushi Party |
| Saturday | Showing Up | 1 1/16m, turf | TBC | 5:55pm | Mark Casse sends Behold the King, while David Fawkes runs two |
Purses are TBC because Gulfstream Park's site and the entries feed disagree, so check the MyWinners app. Morning lines come out with the program.
Saturday follows the same pattern in open company. On Saturday, Graham Motion sends two juveniles, Indian Pharoah and Sushi Party, into the Armed Forces over a mile as Race 7 at 3:25pm ET. Then Mark Casse’s Behold the King tackles the Showing Up at 1 1/16 miles as Race 11 at 5:55pm ET.
Woodbine, Zia Park and Churchill Downs
Grey and Mazarine Stakes at Woodbine
Woodbine also runs two Grade 3 races for two-year-olds on Sunday, with first post at 1:00pm ET. The bet365 Grey goes 1 1/16 miles for juveniles, while the Mazarine does the same for juvenile fillies. Both carry C$175,000, about US$125,000, plus bonus money for Ontario breds. Woodbine then draws the fields later this week.
| Day | Stakes | Distance | Purse | Post (ET) | Names to Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Grey (G3) | 1 1/16m | C$175,000 (about US$125,000) | After the draw | Two-year-olds, so the field firms up later this week |
| Sunday | Mazarine (G3) | 1 1/16m | C$175,000 (about US$125,000) | After the draw | Juvenile fillies, while Ontario breds race for bonus money |
Woodbine's first post on Sunday is 1:00pm ET. Both purses add up to C$35,000 for eligible Ontario breds, converted at the October 26 rate.
Zia Park Opens Its Fall Meet
Meanwhile, Zia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico, opens its 31-day meet on Saturday, October 31. Quarter Horses take the opening weekend, with first post at 2:05pm ET on Saturday and Sunday. However, the big money comes later, starting with the New Mexico Classic Showcase days on November 22 and 23.
| Date | Card | Key Stakes | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 31 and Sun, Nov 1 | Opening weekend, so Quarter Horses race from 2:05pm ET | No stakes yet | Overnight races only, since the stakes start later |
| Sun, Nov 22 | New Mexico Classic Quarter Horse Showcase | Six stakes, also for New Mexico breds | About $1.2 million in total |
| Mon, Nov 23 | New Mexico Classic Thoroughbred Showcase | Eight stakes, again for New Mexico breds | $1.3 million in total |
| Tue, Nov 24 | Land of Enchantment Day | Seven stakes, headed by the Zia Park Derby | $1.15 million, while the Derby alone is $350,000 |
| Sun, Dec 13 | Quarter Horse championships, then the meet ends two days later | Zia Park QH Championship (G1) and King Rick Rack (G1) | $125,000 and $100,000 |
Zia Park's 31-day meet runs to Tuesday, December 15. Quarter Horses race mainly on weekends, while Thoroughbreds race mainly on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Churchill Downs Returns on Sunday
Churchill Downs goes dark on Friday and Saturday for the Breeders’ Cup, then races again on Sunday from 1:00pm ET. The card has no stakes, but the fall meet builds toward the River City (G3) and the Bet On Sunshine on November 7. Through MyWinners, Churchill Downs races are open to Connecticut residents only.
| Date | Card | Key Stakes | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Nov 1 | Racing returns at 1:00pm ET | No stakes | Overnight races only, because the stakes resume on Nov 7 |
| Sat, Nov 7 | Fall meet stakes, then the Claiming Crown a week later | River City (G3), 1 1/8m turf, and Bet On Sunshine (Listed), 6f | $300,000 each |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 28th Claiming Crown | Claiming Crown series | Check the Churchill Downs schedule, since purses vary by race |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Black Friday card, after the Thanksgiving Day stakes | Clark (G2) | $700,000 |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Stars of Tomorrow II | Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod, both for juveniles | See the Churchill Downs schedule |
Churchill Downs is dark on Friday and Saturday for the Breeders' Cup. You can bet Churchill Downs races with MyWinners only in Connecticut, online or at a MyWinners or Winners venue.
Our Best Bets Beyond Keeneland
Croix du Nord Leads Our Weekend Racing Preview Picks
Two Grade 1 wins this spring, including the Tenno Sho (Spring), still make him the standard in Tokyo for the Tenno Sho (Autumn). So we want him on top.
Melbourne Cup: Point Of Law
He won the Geelong Cup, and he still carries only 53kg. So we back him to win, with Defiantly and Trustyourinstinct underneath in exactas.
Knickerbocker Stakes: Program Trading
Class still tells on the turf at Belmont Park. Program Trading has three Grade 1 wins, the rail and Chad Brown’s barn behind him, so he anchors our Saturday tickets away from Keeneland.
Bet Breeders’ Cup Weekend and Beyond With MyWinners
Keeneland is not a Churchill Downs track, so every MyWinners customer aged 18 and over can bet all 14 Breeders’ Cup races in this weekend racing preview. Churchill Downs on Sunday is the exception, since its races are for Connecticut residents only. After that, Sunday starts early in Tokyo, moves to Belmont Park in the afternoon and wraps up at Santa Anita. Then the Melbourne Cup closes the run late on Monday night. Also, our guide to betting the Breeders’ Cup in Connecticut explains the venue and app options.
Bet online at app.mywinners.com, on the MyWinners: Racing & Sports app on iOS or Android, or go here to find your nearest MyWinners or Winners venue in CT.
