The Breeders Cup Classic – one of the great horse races of the year. It’s not one of the Triple Crown events, no, but it is one of the other horse races that a person might reasonably know about. If you can get these picks right, you can make a lot of money indeed. That said, there are some things to keep in mind when you’re making your Breeders Cup picks.
We’ll touch on the basics briefly: obviously, you have to do your research. Without that, none of this works. Do your research until you feel like you know enough to make a bet that you’re comfortable with. On the subject of comfort, never bet more than you’re comfortable losing. Set a limit and stick to it. That’s how you stay in the game, race after race and year after year.
Who Wins the Breeders Cup 2024
As you may know, favorites in the Breeders Cup are less successful than they are in other horse races throughout the year. For the most part, when you add up all of the horses that could be called “favorites” (those that have some of the best odds, some that are “odds-on” favorites, and the like) favorites only win the Breeders Cup 35% of the time.
That may not sound like a lot, but remember: it’s over 33%. So, that means one third of the time, a favorite is going to win. There are no sure things in betting, there’s very little “you can count on” so to speak. That said, with that in mind, you may be able to bet the favorites and have a good chance of winning yourself.
Who Are the Favorites in the Breeders Cup 2024?
City of Troy is your favorite in this race. Going off at 5-2 in most places, City of Troy is the horse that everyone is looking at as the horse to beat. There sure are plenty of reasons for that: the top-rated two-year old colt in Europe just a year ago, he’s already won plenty of money. This horse very well could be the one to win the whole thing.
At 3-1, Fierceness is the other favorite. A champion thoroughbred, he’s won big time races such as the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as well as the Grade 1 Florida Derby. Now, those are big races, but they aren’t specifically the Breeders Cup, so this is a step up against a tough, talented field.
Forever Young comes from an impressive lineage, the son of Real Steel. If this horse sounds familiar, there’s a reason for that – the horse recently competed in the Kentucky Derby and almost won. The horse was idle from then until now, so you know that this horse will be absolutely chomping at the bit (literally) to be able to go and win this race.
Predictions for the Breeders Cup
As mentioned, the favorites don’t always do well at the Breeders Cup. After all, if the favorites win 33% of the time, then horses who aren’t the favorites win the other 66% of the time. So, if not the above horses, who could pull this out?
The next horse is, well, Next. Named “Next,” this horse is going off at 8-1. After that, the odds fall off significantly. Sierra Leone and Usbha Tesoro both are coming in at 12-1. Then, Arthur’s Ride is seen at 15-1 – this is sort of the “middle range.” There are compelling reasons that these horses could place, could find their way into some kind of parlay, certainly.
After that, you’re getting into the underdogs. Sure, if you bet these horses and they win, you could absolutely make out like a bandit. But, when you’re making your betting plans, remember: a horse that’s an underdog is usually that for a reason.
Going into the odds at 20-1, Derma Sotogake, Highland Falls, and Newgate. That may be a bit of a reach for some of you, but after that, the biggest odds for this race are around 30-1: Mixto, Tapit Trice, Pyrenees, and Senor Buscador.
Now, those odds may differ a bit depending on where you’re getting your odds, where you’re betting, and so forth. But, that order is going to be more or less the same wherever you are.
What to Remember About Breeders Cup Betting
Since the late 90s, no horse that won the race was in first after the opening quarter mile and half mile. So, you may want to look at horses that have a history of pacing themselves.
Experience matters, too. Of the last 25 Breeders’ Cup winners, 16 of them had won in the Grade 1/Group 1 levels.
With this in mind, you’ll have what you need to be able to set a foundation for your betting. Good luck!
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Horses and Odds | |
|---|---|
| Horse | Odds |
| City of Troy | 5-2 |
| Fierceness | 3-1 |
| Forever Young | 6-1 |
| Next | 8-1 |
| Sierra Leone | 12-1 |
| Ushba Tesoro | 12-1 |
| Arthur’s Ride | 15-1 |
| Derma Sotogake | 20-1 |
| Highland Falls | 20-1 |
| Newgate | 20-1 |
| Mixto | 30-1 |
| Senor Buscador | 30-1 |
| Pyrenees | 30-1 |
| Tapit Trice | 30-1 |
