Just over a week remains until the U.S. Triple Crown begins, starting with the Kentucky Derby on May 4. However, there will be some interesting horse races to bet on this week across the world, with high-quality flat action being staged at Keeneland, Golden Gate, and Santa Anita in the U.S.
Meanwhile, the jumps season comes to a gripping conclusion at Sandown Park, with Willie Mullins looking to become the first Irish trainer to win the top prize in the UK for over 70 years. Below, you can find out more about the top horse races to bet this week, as well as some of our early horse racing best bets 2024.
Bewitch Stakes
The G3 Bewitch Stakes is one of the most interesting horse races 2024 to be staged this weekend. In Lexington, Keeneland will stage a 1 ½ mile turf contest for fillies and mares aged four and older.
War Like Goddess has dominated this race in recent years after winning each of the last three editions, and she once again looks for further success for trainer William Mott on Friday. The seven-year-old has won a staggering eleven races from 18 career starts, but she could be vulnerable to some progressive rivals this weekend.
Graham Motion-trained Vergara produced some strong efforts at the end of last season, which included a victory in the G3 Ladies Marathon Stakes at Kentucky Downs. This is a step up in class, but she appears to be the most likely to throw down a challenge to War Like Goddess.
San Francisco Mile
The San Francisco Mile Stakes is one of the most interesting horse races to bet this week. Golden Gate Fields will stage this race on Saturday, covering a total distance of a mile on the turf at the Californian track in the Grade Three.
Balnikhov is an interesting contender for trainer Phillip D’Amato, as the six-year-old bids to become only the fourth horse to win the race on multiple occasions. The Irish-bred runner at least has had a run under his belt before this appearance, but he was a disappointing fifth in the G3 Thunder Road on his latest outing.
Therefore, when making horse racing predictions this weekend, one might take a chance on Air Force Red. The six-year-old, trained by Leonard Powell, might not attract much attention in the betting odds, yet he comes into this weekend with a strong performance, having scored a speed figure of 114 and finished fourth in the G3 American Stakes recently.
Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase
One of the most exciting betting events on the schedule for horse racing weekly races this weekend will be staged at Sandown in the United Kingdom. The feature on the jumps finale card in England will be the Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase.
The horses will cover three miles and five furlongs and face 24 fences in this contest. Kitty’s Light will be aiming to become the fifth horse to win the race on two occasions after impressing in the contest last year. However, it could be a challenging ask after battling to fifth in the Grand National just a few weeks ago.
Nick Rockett could be hard to ignore for Willie Mullins, who is bidding to become the first Irishman in 70 years to win the UK Trainers’ Championship. However, another Irish raider might have the right qualities to endure the beating. Desertmore House represents the Martin Brassil yard on Saturday, and he has looked to be crying out for this staying challenge after finishing third at Naas on his previous outing. The nine-year-old has an impressive chase record after winning three from six starts.
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