The Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday is shaping up to be an interesting Breeders’ Cup prep with implications for both the Classic and the Dirt Mile. As a “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the winner gets a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the richest race in North America. This year, the race has drawn a competitive field with some intriguing storylines. Even with Nysos out of the race there are a few in here we can see on the big day not too far away.

A significant opportunity for bettors comes from AmWager, which is offering a rare 0 takeout on win bets for races at Santa Anita this Saturday and Sunday. This means every dollar bet on a winning horse through their platform will be returned to the pool, resulting in a higher payout than would be available with a standard takeout. This is an excellent chance for horseplayers to maximize their returns.

I lean to Privman, a late-developing colt who seems to be hitting his best stride. The Bob Baffert trainee showed a lot of heart in his last win, a tough stretch battle where he put his head in front at the wire. Coming back on the inside. The runner up came back to win his next start.  With two wins in a row, he appears to have figured things out and may be ready to take another big step forward. Privman could be a tempting play on the win end, especially as he is likely to be the third or fourth choice in the wagering. With the 0 takeout at AmWager, the potential return on a winning ticket is even more inviting and tough to pass up for anyone who believes in his chances. I do.

The field also includes Full Serrano, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, who is coming into the Goodwood off a sharp, seven-length comeback win. His versatility is on full display here, as he could use this race as a springboard to either defend his title in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile or stretch out to the Classic distance. You have to thick Sadler has the Classic in mind hence the start here. A mile and a quarter did prove a tad too far for him before, but this mile and an eighth could be right up his alley. His performance on Saturday dictates a lot about his connections’ plans for the ultimate championship races.

Another horse to watch is First Mission. A talented and well-bred runner, First Mission always seems on the verge of a breakthrough win against top competition but has yet to seal the deal. His recent form, including a runner-up effort as the 1-5 favorite in his last start, suggests he has the ability but has struggled to get his head in front in Grade 1 company. This could be the race where he finally puts it all together, but his past performances leave some questions.

Also in the mix is Nevada Beach, a lightly raced three-year-old who is taking on older horses off of a layoff. While this is a tough spot, he is the type of horse who can jump up and surprise at a big price. As a young horse with just three career starts, including a win in the Los Alamitos Derby, he has shown plenty of promise and could be a legitimate longshot threat in a race with several established runners.

To me the rest look to be in deep waters. I’ll take a shot with Privman to get Bob in the Classic with a horse who looked disappointing not that long ago but now may be getting good at the right time and offers a fair price.