The Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland is rapidly approaching and one of the biggest storylines on the weekend will be whether Forever Young can defend his title in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Japanese star has posted one of the most impressive resumes this century and will attempt to be the first to win the race in back-to-back years since Tiznow did it for trainer Jay Robbins in 2000 and 2001. So, the question becomes, can the twelve-time winner with over $32M in earnings best this bunch and make an even stronger case for being one of the best thoroughbred racehorses the world has seen this century?
2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty will be Forever Young’s toughest opponent assuming Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and Godolphin give him the green light. Pacific Classic (G1) winner Knightsbridge is in the best form of his career and waiting to get his chance at glory if his stablemate is unable to compete.
In addition to the talented Godolphin duo, Forever Young is likely to encounter Stephen Foster (G1) winner Magnitude. The speedy Steve Asmussen trainee failed to run his race in the Whitney (G1), but has been given time by North America’s all-time leading trainer. If he is left loose on the lead, he could present a problem for the Yoshito Yahagi trainee much like he did in the Dubai World Cup (G1) earlier this year. Forever Young also will have to deal with the top 3YOs in the land for the first time led by Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo. The late running colt has not raced since his third-place finish in the Travers (G1) in late August. Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoloen Solo, Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner The Puma, and Keeneland specialist Further Ado will also hope to put forth a career best effort good enough to beat Forever Young.
Obviously, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are the places to go to bet the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland later this month. The Future Stars Friday races begin at 2:55PM eastern time on October 30 with Championship Saturday slated for Halloween with the Dirt Mile kicking things off at 1:10 PM. The Classic thankfully is back to its proper spot on the schedule closing down the 2026 Breeders’ Cup with a post time set for 6:16 PM. It should be an outstanding two-days of action where there is no doubt Forever Young stake center stage as the likely public choice in hopes of cementing his name further in racing’s history books.
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