Yes, there’s two more Breeders’ Cup challenge series “Win and You’re In’’ races. At Ascot. On Saturday.

No, there’s nary a chance either winner heads to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 1-2, even with an all-fees paid automatic berth.

Nonetheless, the 1 ¼-mile British Champion Stakes (G1) and the 1 ½-mile British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1), are worth checking out as the British flat racing season comes to an end.

Economics, unbeaten in four starts in 2024, is the 6-5 favorite over Calandagan (7-5) in the $1.6 million British Champion Stakes, which drew a field of 12, including longshot fillies See The Fire (60-1) and Novus (99-1).

Trained by William Haggas, the 3-year-old Economics opened the year with a victory in Maiden Stakes at Newbury in April, and most recently defeated Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) last month, a race in which he earned his berth in the BC Turf (G1).

“As long as he can stay well and run to his best, I think he is sure to run a good race,’’ Haggas said, “He battled well in Ireland and was tactically good. He fought hard when he had to in a top-class race, and I was pleased he won a Group 1 as that makes things a lot easier.”

Economics will be ridden by Tom Marquand, leaving from post 8.

France-bred Calandagan’s last two races have come in England – the 3-year-old gelding won the King Edward VII Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot by six lengths and ran second behind highly-regarded City of Troy in the Juddmonte Stakes (G1) at York.

Others to consider: Aidan O’Brien-trained 6-1 shot Los Angeles (Irish Derby winner), a solid third behind Bluestocking in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp on Oct. 6; and 7-year-old gelding Iresine (Grade 2 Prix Foy winner on Sept. 15) at 15-1.

Kalpana favored in Fillies & Mares Stakes

Content, trained by O’Brien, already earned a berth in the BC Filly & Mare Turf (G1) with her win in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) in August. The 3-year-old daughter of Galileo is 6-1 with Ryan Moore in the irons.

Breeders’ Cup pre-entries are Oct. 21, two days after the races at Ascot.

For those who bet horse racing …

The picks for the British Champion Stakes: 1 King’s Gambit 2 Los Angeles 3 Economics

 

 

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.