Breeders’ Cup: Early Look at the Dirt Races

Thanks to the inconceivable 133-1 upset by Arcangues ($269.20) in 1993, the Breeders’ Cup Classic averages a healthy a $23.09 payoff on a $2 win wager.

However, the last double-digit odds winner of the Classic was 14-1 Drosselmeyer in 2011. Over the past 11 Classics, the betting favorite has won five times and the second betting choice four times.

Star-Studded Lineup Expected for Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar

The 1 ¼-mile Classic is the showcase event of the two-day, 14-race, $30 million Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar. And the field should have a slew of the world’s top horses, including Travers Stakes (G1) winner Fierceness, Juddmonte International (G1) winner City of Troy, and Japan-based horses that include multiple-Grade 1 stakes winner Forever Young. Preakness Stakes (G1) and Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Seize the Grey could run in the Classic or the Dirt Mile.

The Distaff features star filly Thorpedo Anna taking on the likes of champion Idiomatic and Raging Sea.

Pre-entries are due Oct. 21.

A glance at possible runners with horses already qualified by taking “Win and You’re In” races in parentheses.

FRIDAY, NOV. 1

Juvenile FIllies: A large field is not expected even though Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points are on the line. Immersive, already a two-time Grade 1 winner after taking the Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland for trainer Brad Cox, looks like the filly to beat. But there’s also Scottish Lassie, winner of the Frizette Stakes (G1), and Non Compliant, Bob Baffert’s winner of the Oak Leafe Stakes (G1)

(Already qualified: Non Compliant, Scottish Lassie, Immersive)

Juvenile: Now that six-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Bob Baffert is back in the Run for the Roses, it’ll be tough going against any of the 2-year-olds he sends out – among them American Pharoah Stakes (G1) winner Citizen Bull and Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Gaming. Then again, Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Chancer McPatrick is a formidable foe even if Baffert has a home track advantage.

(Already qualified: Citizen Bull, East Avenue, Chancer McPatrick).

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

Dirt Mile: Met Mile (G1) winner National Treasure, second in the California Crown (G1) last out, gives Baffert another likely favorite. H. Allen Jerkens (G1) winner Domestic Product, Korea Cup (G1) winner Crown Pride, and Skippylongstocking are legitimate contenders.

(Already qualified: Three Technique, Crown Pride, Raging Torrent, National Treasure)

Distaff: With Horse of the Year candidate Thorpedo Anna going against defending Distaff champ Idiomatic, this could turn into a rip-roaring finish. Another top mare, Baffert’s Adare Manor was recently retired.

(Already qualified: Randomized, Idiomatic, Adare Manor, Che Evasora)

Classic: Not a superstar in the group (yet) but a contentious large field is likely. Fierceness, the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and Travers Stakes (G1) winner, looks to be the favorite, but field Subsandor’s win in the California Crown (G1) makes him a tough contender. Euro star City of Troy, trained by renowned Aidan O’Brien, has won three straight Group 1 races but is not a sure thing for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. A trio of horses from Japan are possibles: Forever Young, Derma Sotogake, and Ushba Tesoro.

Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch was recently retired.

(Already qualified: Subsanador, Highland Falls, Mixto, City of Troy, Arthur’s Ride, Dornoch, Kingsbarns, Peptide Nile).

Filly & Mare Sprint: A small field is likely, including a pair trained by Steve Asmussen, Ballerina Stakes (G1) winner 1 winner Society and Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) winner Zeitlos. Scyla, runner-up in the Ballerina, also has top contender credentials.

(Already qualified: Zeitlos, Soul Of An Angel, Society)

Sprint: The Chosen Vron seeks redemption after finishing fifth in last year’s sprint. Since then, the popular 6-year-old reeled off six straight wins, but comes into the off a rare loss, to Raging Torrent in the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.

(Already qualified: Federal Judge, Mufasa, Remake, The Chosen Vron).

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.