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Our 2025 Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide is updated in real-time through Saturday, November 1, 2025. Bookmark this page and return often for the most up-to-date betting insights including:
Expert picks from top handicappers, in-depth analysis and betting strategies for all 14 Breeders' Cup races, horse bios, and exclusive horse racing podcast videos. Learn how our experts are handicapping each race, explore past performance data, and get prepared to bet the 2025 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar on Friday, October 31 & Saturday, November 1, 2025.
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'24 Classic runner-up and '23 Juvenile winner makes a third Breeders' Cup appearance while exiting a smashing victory in Del Mar's Pacific Classic. Son of BC Dirt Mile winner City of Light finished fifth to Classic rival Sierra Leone in their lone '25 matchup in the Whitney.
Came up a nose short of winning last year's Kentucky Derby, but got the last laugh in capturing the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Son of Classic winner Gun Runner has won 1 of 4 races this year, Saratoga's Whitney, but maintained his consistency at 13-for-13 in the top-3 lifetime.
With the recent retirement of Distaff defending champ Thorpedo Anna, Seismic Beauty may be ready to assume divisional leadership. She's won the Santa Margarita and Del Mar's Clement Hirsch among a current 3-race winning streak. She's a daughter of BC Juvenile winner Uncle Mo.
The 2022 and 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf winner looks to join Goldikova and Beholder as the only 3-time BC race winners all-time. Ageless road warrior has run this year in the UK, Dubai, Germany, Qatar and New York. Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia were on prior years' passports.
Superstar filly won the Epsom and Irish Oaks this spring and the summer's Yorkshire Oaks before a 5-race winning streak came up just a head shy in second in the renowned Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe in France against the boys. Can join stable predecessor Found (2015) as the only 3YO fillies to win the BC Turf.
Grade 1 Hopeful winner at Saratoga and Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity winner at Keeneland has been perfect in 3 starts while extending distance each trip. Sire Into Mischief responsible for 8 BC winners, including last year's Juvenile victor Citizen Bull. He's named for Ned Toffey of Spendthrift Farm.
Defending BC Sprint champion has raced 3 times this year, winning the Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia for a disappointing 8th in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. His recent return third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship failed to defend that title from his '24 score.
Argentine-bred defends his title in the Dirt Mile division having finished first or second in all 4 domestic starts since coming to the Sadler barn. Light 2025 campaign includes an allowance win and Goodwood Stakes runner-up at 220 yards farther than the DM.
Preakness winner parlayed 3 Triple Crown placings into a successful summer that saw him win the Haskell and finish second to Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Regular pilot Umberto Rispoli has been replaced by Jose Ortiz aboard the son of 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin.
'24 Classic runner-up and '23 Juvenile winner makes a third Breeders' Cup appearance while exiting a smashing victory in Del Mar's Pacific Classic. Son of BC Dirt Mile winner City of Light finished fifth to Classic rival Sierra Leone in their lone '25 matchup in the Whitney.
Came up a nose short of winning last year's Kentucky Derby, but got the last laugh in capturing the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Son of Classic winner Gun Runner has won 1 of 4 races this year, Saratoga's Whitney, but maintained his consistency at 13-for-13 in the top-3 lifetime.
With the recent retirement of Distaff defending champ Thorpedo Anna, Seismic Beauty may be ready to assume divisional leadership. She's won the Santa Margarita and Del Mar's Clement Hirsch among a current 3-race winning streak. She's a daughter of BC Juvenile winner Uncle Mo.
The 2022 and 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf winner looks to join Goldikova and Beholder as the only 3-time BC race winners all-time. Ageless road warrior has run this year in the UK, Dubai, Germany, Qatar and New York. Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia were on prior years' passports.
Superstar filly won the Epsom and Irish Oaks this spring and the summer's Yorkshire Oaks before a 5-race winning streak came up just a head shy in second in the renowned Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe in France against the boys. Can join stable predecessor Found (2015) as the only 3YO fillies to win the BC Turf.
Grade 1 Hopeful winner at Saratoga and Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity winner at Keeneland has been perfect in 3 starts while extending distance each trip. Sire Into Mischief responsible for 8 BC winners, including last year's Juvenile victor Citizen Bull. He's named for Ned Toffey of Spendthrift Farm.
Defending BC Sprint champion has raced 3 times this year, winning the Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia for a disappointing 8th in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. His recent return third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship failed to defend that title from his '24 score.
Argentine-bred defends his title in the Dirt Mile division having finished first or second in all 4 domestic starts since coming to the Sadler barn. Light 2025 campaign includes an allowance win and Goodwood Stakes runner-up at 220 yards farther than the DM.
Preakness winner parlayed 3 Triple Crown placings into a successful summer that saw him win the Haskell and finish second to Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Regular pilot Umberto Rispoli has been replaced by Jose Ortiz aboard the son of 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin.
'24 Classic runner-up and '23 Juvenile winner makes a third Breeders' Cup appearance while exiting a smashing victory in Del Mar's Pacific Classic. Son of BC Dirt Mile winner City of Light finished fifth to Classic rival Sierra Leone in their lone '25 matchup in the Whitney.
Came up a nose short of winning last year's Kentucky Derby, but got the last laugh in capturing the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Son of Classic winner Gun Runner has won 1 of 4 races this year, Saratoga's Whitney, but maintained his consistency at 13-for-13 in the top-3 lifetime.
With the recent retirement of Distaff defending champ Thorpedo Anna, Seismic Beauty may be ready to assume divisional leadership. She's won the Santa Margarita and Del Mar's Clement Hirsch among a current 3-race winning streak. She's a daughter of BC Juvenile winner Uncle Mo.
The 2022 and 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf winner looks to join Goldikova and Beholder as the only 3-time BC race winners all-time. Ageless road warrior has run this year in the UK, Dubai, Germany, Qatar and New York. Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia were on prior years' passports.
Superstar filly won the Epsom and Irish Oaks this spring and the summer's Yorkshire Oaks before a 5-race winning streak came up just a head shy in second in the renowned Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe in France against the boys. Can join stable predecessor Found (2015) as the only 3YO fillies to win the BC Turf.
Grade 1 Hopeful winner at Saratoga and Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity winner at Keeneland has been perfect in 3 starts while extending distance each trip. Sire Into Mischief responsible for 8 BC winners, including last year's Juvenile victor Citizen Bull. He's named for Ned Toffey of Spendthrift Farm.
Defending BC Sprint champion has raced 3 times this year, winning the Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia for a disappointing 8th in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. His recent return third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship failed to defend that title from his '24 score.
Argentine-bred defends his title in the Dirt Mile division having finished first or second in all 4 domestic starts since coming to the Sadler barn. Light 2025 campaign includes an allowance win and Goodwood Stakes runner-up at 220 yards farther than the DM.
Preakness winner parlayed 3 Triple Crown placings into a successful summer that saw him win the Haskell and finish second to Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Regular pilot Umberto Rispoli has been replaced by Jose Ortiz aboard the son of 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin.
'24 Classic runner-up and '23 Juvenile winner makes a third Breeders' Cup appearance while exiting a smashing victory in Del Mar's Pacific Classic. Son of BC Dirt Mile winner City of Light finished fifth to Classic rival Sierra Leone in their lone '25 matchup in the Whitney.
Came up a nose short of winning last year's Kentucky Derby, but got the last laugh in capturing the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Son of Classic winner Gun Runner has won 1 of 4 races this year, Saratoga's Whitney, but maintained his consistency at 13-for-13 in the top-3 lifetime.
With the recent retirement of Distaff defending champ Thorpedo Anna, Seismic Beauty may be ready to assume divisional leadership. She's won the Santa Margarita and Del Mar's Clement Hirsch among a current 3-race winning streak. She's a daughter of BC Juvenile winner Uncle Mo.
The 2022 and 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf winner looks to join Goldikova and Beholder as the only 3-time BC race winners all-time. Ageless road warrior has run this year in the UK, Dubai, Germany, Qatar and New York. Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia were on prior years' passports.
Superstar filly won the Epsom and Irish Oaks this spring and the summer's Yorkshire Oaks before a 5-race winning streak came up just a head shy in second in the renowned Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe in France against the boys. Can join stable predecessor Found (2015) as the only 3YO fillies to win the BC Turf.
Grade 1 Hopeful winner at Saratoga and Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity winner at Keeneland has been perfect in 3 starts while extending distance each trip. Sire Into Mischief responsible for 8 BC winners, including last year's Juvenile victor Citizen Bull. He's named for Ned Toffey of Spendthrift Farm.
Defending BC Sprint champion has raced 3 times this year, winning the Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia for a disappointing 8th in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. His recent return third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship failed to defend that title from his '24 score.
Argentine-bred defends his title in the Dirt Mile division having finished first or second in all 4 domestic starts since coming to the Sadler barn. Light 2025 campaign includes an allowance win and Goodwood Stakes runner-up at 220 yards farther than the DM.
Preakness winner parlayed 3 Triple Crown placings into a successful summer that saw him win the Haskell and finish second to Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Regular pilot Umberto Rispoli has been replaced by Jose Ortiz aboard the son of 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin.
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New to Horse Race Betting? No worries—we’ve got you. This section breaks down the basics of horse racing bets, from the simple stuff like traditional Win bets to more advanced plays like Exactas and Pick 5s. We'll take a look at how odds work, how payouts are calculated, and what it all means for your wallet. It’s everything you need to understand betting and enjoy the action.
If you're new to horse racing or looking to understand the basics, it's essential to grasp the Traditional bet types: Win, Place, and Show. These straightforward wagers are the foundation of horse race betting and are ideal for beginners.
A WIN bet is the simplest type of horse racing wager—you’re picking a horse to come in first place. If your horse finishes at the front, you’ll earn a payout based on the final odds for that horse. For instance, if you wager $2 on a horse with 5-to-1 odds (5/1) and it wins, you’d get $10 in profit ($5 for every $1 bet), plus your original $2 bet back, totaling $12.
Last year's BC Classic $2 WIN bet paid $15.80
A PLACE bet gives you two chances to win. You’re backing a horse to finish either first or second. As long as your chosen horse comes in one of those top two positions, you’ll receive a payout. Since the odds of winning are better than a Win bet, the potential payout is typically smaller.
Last year's BC Classic $2 PLACE bet paid $5.60
A SHOW bet offers the most leeway—you’re betting on a horse to finish in the top three. Whether your pick comes in first, second, or third, you’ll get paid. While this type of bet has the highest chance of a return, it also comes with the lowest payout due to the broader margin for success.
Last year's BC Classic $2 SHOW bet paid $3.60
Betting them ACROSS THE BOARD, is probably a term you've heard. It's a popular and straightforward wager where you’re betting on a horse to Win, Place, and Show all at once. This would be shown as WIN/PLACE/SHOW or WPS on the betting pad. If your horse finishes first, you collect the Win, Place, and Show payouts. If your horse finishes second, you collect the Place and Show payouts, and if it finishes third, you would just collect the Show payout.
A $2 WIN/PLACE/SHOW aka 'ACROSS THE BOARD' on last year's BC Classic winner SIERRA LEONE would have cost you $6 total ($2 for WIN, $2 for PLACE & $2 for SHOW) and returned $25.00 in winnings.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, Exotic bets offer a thrilling next step. These wagers involve predicting multiple outcomes—like the exact order of finishers in a single race—and they come with higher risk but much bigger potential rewards. Whether you’re chasing an Exacta or aiming for the elusive Superfecta, exotic bets bring strategy, excitement, and serious payout possibilities to the track.
An EXACTA bet ups the challenge. You’re predicting which two horses will finish first and second, in the exact order. If your selections cross the line in that precise sequence, you win. It’s tougher than a Win or Place bet, but the payouts can be significantly higher. Not confident about the exact order, but like your horse picks? Box your bet, and as long as your selected horses finish in the top 2 spots—1st and 2nd—they can finish in any order and you’ll still win.
Last year's BC Classic $2 EXACTA bet paid $59.60
Taking it a step further, a TRIFECTA bet requires you to choose the first three finishers in the exact order. Nail all three in the right sequence and you’ll score a much bigger payout—though it’s definitely harder to hit than an Exacta. Box your bet, and as long as your selected horses finish in the top 3 spots—1st through 3rd—they can finish in any order and you’ll still win.
Last year's BC Classic $0.50 TRIFECTA bet paid $65.60
The SUPERFECTA is where serious bettors test their skill. You must pick the top four horses to finish in the exact order. It’s a high-risk, high-reward wager that can deliver massive payouts if you’re able to beat the odds. Box your bet, and as long as your selected horses finish in the top 4 spots—1st through 4th—they can finish in any order and you’ll still win.
Last year's BC Classic $0.10 SUPERFECTA bet paid $202.58
The EXACT 5 is the ultimate single race exotic bet. You must pick the top five horses to finish in the exact order. It’s even higher-risk than the super, but a higher-reward wager that can deliver extremely massive payouts if you’re able to nail each spot. Box your bet, and as long as your selected horses finish in the top 5 spots—1st through 5th—they can finish in any order and you’ll still win.
Last year's BC Classic $0.50 EXACT 5 bet paid $18,182.80
Multi-race wagers add an extra layer of excitement to the day’s card. Instead of betting on just one race, you’re trying to predict the winners of multiple consecutive races. These bets raise the stakes—and the payouts—making them popular among players who enjoy longer-range strategy and higher risk. To increase your chances of hitting winners, you can include more than one horse in each race. That will raise your ticket cost, but it also boosts your probability of picking more winners.
DOUBLE pick the winners of two back-to-back races. It’s the most approachable multi-race bet and often serves as a great entry point for players looking to move beyond single-race wagers.
Last year's BC Classic $2 DOUBLE bet paid $54.20
PICK 3 correctly select the winners of three consecutive races. Slightly tougher than the Daily Double, but with greater reward potential for a small added challenge.
Last year's BC Classic $.50 PICK 3 bet paid $21.05
PICK 4 predict the winners of four races in a row. The payouts start to grow substantially here, and it's a favorite among intermediate-level bettors who enjoy a bit of suspense across multiple races.
Last year's BC Classic $.50 PICK 4 bet paid $1,544.45
PICK 5 choose the winning horse in five straight races. Hitting all five requires strong handicapping skills—and a little luck—but the payoff can be massive, especially with longshots in the mix.
Last year's BC Classic $.50 PICK 5 bet paid $59,285.15
Unlike traditional fixed-odds sports betting, where the payout is predetermined, horse racing uses a pari-mutuel system. This means that all bets on a particular race are pooled together, and the odds can change as more money is wagered until the pools close and the race goes off.
Horse racing odds represent the potential payout for a bet relative to your stake. Let’s break down what some example odds like 5/1, 5/2, and 9/5 mean, and how to calculate your winnings for a WIN bet.
When you see 5/1 odds, it means that for every $1 you wager, you’ll win $5 if your horse comes in first. That’s 5 times your bet! Plus, you get your original $1 stake back. So, with a $2 WIN bet on a horse that is 5/1 odds, you’d win $10 ($5 for every $1 you bet) plus your initial $2 stake back, for a total of $12 in payout.
Example bet at 5/1 odds:
WINBet: $2
Horse Odds: 5/1
Total Payout: $12 (your $10 in winnings ($5 for every $1 you bet) + your $2 stake back)
With 5/2 odds, you’ll win $5 for every $2 bet. This is often considered a "shorter" odd, meaning your return is smaller compared to 5/1, but still a nice payout. For a $2 WIN bet, you'd win $7 (your $5 in winnings ($5 for every $2 you bet) plus your original $2 stake back, for a total of $7.
Example bet at 5/2 odds:
WINBet: $2
Horse Odds: 5/2
Total Payout: $7 (your $5 in winnings ($5 for every $2 you bet) + your $2 stake back)
With 9/5 odds, you’ll win $9 for every $5 bet. Like 5/2 odds, this payout is lower compared to 5/1, but still offers a good return. For a $5 WIN bet, you would receive $14 (your $9 in winnings ($9 for every $5 you bet) plus your original $5 stake back, for a total of $14.
Example:
WINBet: $5
Horse Odds: 9/5
Payout: $14 (your $9 in winnings ($9 for every $5 you bet) plus your $5 stake back)
IN LOVING MEMORY
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LENNILU
SCHWARZENNEGER
TRUE LOVE
INTRICATE SPIRIT
OBLITERATION
TRUE LOVE
CY FAIR
SCHWARZENEGGER
TRUE LOVE
BRUSSELS
LENNILU
HAVANA ANNA
MOTORIOUS
SHISOSPICY
KHAADEM
AG BULLET
BUCANERO FUERTE
MOTORIOUS
GOVERNOR SAM
ARIZONA BLAZE
SEISMIC BEAUTY
CLIQUOT
DORTH VADER
NITROGEN
REBEL’S ROMANCE
GOLIATH
MINNIE HAUK
GOLD PHOENIX
FOREVER YOUNG
SIERRA LEONE
FIERCENESS
FIERCENESS
SIERRA LEONE
FOREVER YOUNG
BAEZA
ANTIQUARIAN
MINDFRAME
SIERRA LEONE
FIERCENESS
FOREVER YOUNG
MINDFRAME
BAEZA
FOREVER YOUNG
SIERRA LEONE
FIERCENESS
SIERRA LEONE
FIERCENESS
JOURNALISM
FOREVER YOUNG
BAEZA
FIERCENESS
SIERRA LEONE
DIAMOND RAIN
CINDERELLA'S DREAM
SHE FEELS PRETTY
BEDTIME STORY
SCENE SETTER: At 5 furlongs on turf, it’s Friday’s shortest and youngest Breeders’ Cup event. The Juvenile Turf Sprint enters its eighth edition overall and third at Del Mar. It's also the event's most popular race among horsemen with 22 pre-entries (12 can start). America's headliners include the Florida filly LENNILU as well as Wesley Ward's speedster SCHWARZENEGGER. The Europeans are paced by Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes 1-2 finishers TRUE LOVE and HAVANA ANNA for Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien. The Europeans have dominated of late.
Last year Magnum Force became the biggest upsetter in the 7-year history of the JTS when paying $27 for a $2 bet.
European-based runners have won the Juvenile Turf Sprint 4 straight years after Americans captured the event’s initial 3 renewals.
The average JTS winner has paid $11.83 and 14% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more.
Europeans have accounted for 3 of the 4 superfecta slots in this race each of the past 3 years.
Last year Japan’s Ecoro Sieg ended a run of 5 straight American favorites in the Juvenile Turf Sprint (4 trained by Wesley Ward).
Prior starts to winning the JTS: Bulletin (1), Four Wheel Drive (2), Golden Pal (3), Twilight Gleaming (4), Mischief Magic (5), Big Evs (5), Magnum Force (4).
SCENE SETTER: Among the original 7 Breeders’ Cup races dating back to 1984, the race almost annually comes down to the best in California, Kentucky and New York. That’s been the case in 36 of the 41 editions to date. The west’s best have been Bob Baffert stablemates BOTTLE OF ROUGE, winner of the Del Mar Debutante, and Oak Leaf heroine EXPLORA, who solidified the form of the Debutante in her return. The Kentuckians include Alcibiades leading ladies TOMMY JO and PERCY’S BAR, whose last decision had to be adjudicated in the stewards’ booth. New York’s Frizette has produced a record 15 winners of this race, most of any Breeders’ Cup final prep in any division all-time. IRON ORCHARD represents that race.
Keeneland’s Alcibiades (3) and NYRA’s Frizette (5) have accounted for 8 straight Juvenile Fillies winners after Immersive ventured from Kentucky last year.
The average JF winner has paid $20.44 and 22% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
East/Midwest runners have won all 3 Juvenile Fillies editions at Del Mar: Caledonia Road (2017) and Echo Zulu (2021), both exiting the Frizette; Immersive last year from the Alcibiades.
The Californians haven’t won the Juvenile Fillies since Champagne Room in 2016 at Santa Anita and Vodka With a Twist’s runner-up last year was the first top-3 finish since 2019.
Six times in the last 13 years the Juvenile Fillies pacesetter has taken the field wire to wire. Three deep closers scored during that span.
The last Juvenile Fillies winner not to prep in a stakes race was Beholder in 2012, who exited a Santa Anita allowance.
SCENE SETTER: Of all the Breeders’ Cup grass races over the next 2 days, the Juvenile Fillies Turf has been America’s most successful stop-off. But the 2025 domestic path to Del Mar has been filled with surprises: IMAGINATIONTHELADY won Keeneland’s Jessamine at 10-1; BRAVE DEB was a similar 10-1 in upset of Santa Anita’s Surfer Girl; GROUND SUPPORT went from 100-1 debut winner to 12-1 heroine of Aqueduct’s Miss Grillo; and Woodbine’s historically trusty Natalma for good measure was won at 12-1 just north of the border. Five international runners oppose, led by Group 1 winner PRECISE in search of her fourth straight victory while landing the treacherous post 13 of 13.
Last year’s winning favorite Lake Victoria ($3.40) was the second-shortest price to win the JFT in its 17 editions. Only Newspaperofrecord ($3.20) in 2018 paid less for a $2 bet.
The average JFT winner has paid $15.64 and 24% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Americans hold a massive 13-4 edge in the JFT all-time, the Euros winning in 2012, 2013, 2022 and 2024. The Euros are 2-for-9 as favorites, winning last year with Lake Victoria.
Trainer Chad Brown owns a race record 6 wins in the JFT, most recently Hard to Justify in 2023.
Del Mar’s JFT editions have gone to New York-based Rushing Fall (2017) and Pizza Bianca (2021) as well as Ireland’s Lake Victoria (2024).
No California-based filly has finished in the JFT exacta. The best finish was Colonel Joan’s third-place run in 2013.
SCENE SETTER: Electrifying Juvenile performances elicit Kentucky Derby dreams, giving extra cache to this member of the original Breeders’ Cup 7 stakes. Only Street Sense and Nyquist have successfully navigated both the BC Juvenile and the Derby, but the audition for leading role next Spring often gets cast here. Keeneland Breeders’ Futurity winner TED NOFFEY brings Todd Pletcher back to the Juvenile fore, while Bob Baffert has Del Mar Futurity winner BRANT and a cast of runners who failed to fend off Jeff Mullins’ INTREPIDO in the American Pharoah Stakes. New York’s finest (and we mean finest), the Champagne winner Napoleon Solo, was put away early for the campaign to return next year.
Last year’s Juvenile 10-cent superfecta payoff ($2,032.26) was the largest in any race at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup either day.
The average Juvenile winner has paid $19.09 and 24% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Bob Baffert trainees Corniche (’21) and Citizen Bull (’24) have won 2 of the 3 Del Mar BCJ editions. Good Magic won the other in 2017 for Chad Brown.
Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher have split the last 4 Juvenile editions at 2 apiece. They have 10 victories between them, Baffert posting an event-leading 6.
Santa Anita’s American Pharoah Stakes has springboarded 6 of the last 11 Juvenile winners and now leads with 11 all-time wins in this race.
The Juvenile has been won wire-to-wire 4 times in the last 15 years: Citizen Bull (2024) and Corniche (2021) doing so at Del Mar; Storm the Court (2019) and Hansen (2011) elsewhere.
SCENE SETTER: Seven was the lucky number for Aidan O’Brien a year ago when Henri Matisse padded the Ballydoyle trainer’s wins record in this Juvenile Turf division. Any discussion of the 2025 cast begins with that yard, namely Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1 runner-up GSTAAD. How good is he? Only 2 fellow international runners bothered entering. But the post draw was a wicked mistress to the favorite, landing him in the far outside stall 14. Might the door be cracked open, even if America’s leading charge Final Score was forced to miss the race due to sore shins?
Last year’s winner Henri Matisse ($9.80) was just the fourth JT winner in its 18 editions to provide a single-digit return for a $2 win bet.
The average JT winner has paid $17.16 and 17% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
European-based horses account for 13 of the 18 Juvenile Turf winners all-time, including all 3 editions held at Del Mar (Henri Matisse ’24, Modern Games ’21, Mendelssohn ’17).
Newmarket Racecourse in England has been the final prep stop of 6 JT winners, while another 6 came via France (Longchamp 3, Chantilly 2, Deauville 1). Belmont leads all domestic tracks with 3 winners.
Favorites won this race just twice in the first 16 JT editions (Mendelssohn ’17 and Pounced ’09), but now ride a 2-race winning streak into the event.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Juvenile Turf record is 24: 7-6-0, while Charlie Appleby boasts a 7: 3-1-1 mark in this division. Mark Casse has struggled at 17: 0-0-1.
SCENE SETTER: Trainer Richard Mandella changed the complexion of this race just prior to entry day, re-aiming likely favorite Kopion to the Sprint against the boys and keeping TAMARA as his lone FMS ace. The west coast speed doesn’t stop there; SWEET AZTECA, SPLENDORA and HOPE ROAD all come in off sharp victories. Road-tripping 3-year-old PRAYING upset VAHVA narrowly at Keeneland and they re-match Saturday. Trainer Saffie Joseph surprised this division at $41 a year ago and returns from Florida with fresh face HAULIN ICE.
Del Mar has produced 2 of the 4-largest FMS payoffs in history ($135.40 Bar of Gold in 2017 and $41.60 Soul of an Angel last year).
Only 3 of 18 FMS winners all-time prepped on the west coast at Santa Anita or Del Mar, Ce Ce in 2021 the only since 2016.
The average FMS winner has paid $23.41 ($16.82 without Bar of Gold paying $135.40 in 2017) and 28% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Del Mar’s FMS editions have had unexpected results. Bar of Gold scored at 66-1 in 2017 for a record payout in the division. Soul of an Angel rocked the tote at 19-1 last year. In 2021, 2-5 chalk Gamine finished third at the second-shortest off odds in FMS history.
The FMS has never been won wire-to-wire. Its pacemakers have a paltry 18: 0-3-2 record all-time. Last year’s duelers held for second and third as winner Soul of an Angel rallied last-to-first.
Keeneland’s Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes produced 5 straight FMS winners from 2009-’13, but none since the track returned to dirt in 2014.
3-year-olds have won the FMS 3 times: Shamrock Rose (2018), Covfefe (2019), Gamine (2020).
SCENE SETTER: The showdown between Cogburn and Bradsell last year made the Turf Sprint feel top-heavy in what’s often a wide-open affair. It proved to be false confidence as both faded after dueling, and now the 2025 TS returns more to the “anybody’s race” vibes of previous seasons. The 2-3 finishers from a year ago, MOTORIOUS and AG BULLET, exit prep wins and are back in the hunt for America. UK-based KHAADEM came over a few races early, then came from the clouds to win at Keeneland for Charlie Hills. The international power includes 3 of the top 4 finishers from The Curragh's Group 1 Flying Five Stakes as well as INVINCIBLE PAPA from Japan.
Last year’s Turf Sprint score by European raider Starlust provided the biggest upset at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, paying $69.20 to win. The TS also delivered the event’s largest exacta and trifecta returns.
Glass Slippers (2020) and Starlust (2024) are the only European winners of the Turf Sprint.
The average TS winner has paid $30.09 and 47% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds – including 5 of the last 6 years.
Del Mar’s 3 TS editions boast 30-1 winner Stormy Liberal (2017) and 33-1 winner Starlust (2024) sandwiched between 5-2 favorite Golden Pal (2021).
14 of 17 TS winners prepped in turf sprints, while a trio cut back from turf miles (Mizdirection ‘13, Bobby’s Kitten ‘14, Obviously ‘16).
SCENE SETTER: Last year’s top-3 Sprint finishers are in line for a rematch as STRAIGHT NO CHASER, BENTORNATO and MULLIKIN all know the way to Del Mar. The defending champ hasn’t been the same since opening his season with a win in Saudi Arabia, but STRAIGHT NO CHASER could join Midnight Lute, Roy H and Elite Power in select company if able to repeat in the BCS. NAKATOMI exits a Keeneland win and tries this race for a third time, hitting the board in the ’23 edition. Former router IMAGINATION looked comfortable rallying to victory in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship. The filly KOPION adds serious fuel to the fire after bypassing a Filly & Mare Sprint race in which she likely would have been favored. Japan brings over AMERICAN STAGE, and his trainer Yoshito Yahagi knows the way to the Del Mar winner’s circle at the Breeders’ Cup.
California-based horses have won 2 of the 3 BCS editions at Del Mar, including Straight No Chaser a year ago.
The Sprint has had at least 1 horse finish second or third at 20-1 or more odds in each of the last 4 years, including last year’s 28-1 runner-up Bentornato.
The average Sprint winner has paid $19.91 and 39% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Favorites have finished sixth, sixth and third in Del Mar’s 3 Sprint renewals, bested by Mullikin getting the show money last year.
Sprint wins all-time are an even split between horses prepped in New York (15) and California (15). Kentucky (6) is a distant third.
3-year-olds have won the Sprint 9 times, but not since Runhappy and Drefong went back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. Bentornato was second last year for the sophomores.
SCENE SETTER: For the second straight year, the Distaff lost its defending champion in the weeks prior to the race. The connections of Thorpedo Anna pulled the plug on her campaign similar to what we saw with Idiomatic a season before that. Whereas the 3-year-old Thorpedo Anna was there in 2024 to pick up the divisional baton, this year’s sophomore class has been far less distinct in its leadership. CLIQUOT got the last laugh in the Cotillion among the younger fillies, while Distaff division elders SEISMIC BEAUTY (California), DORTH VADER (New York) and GIN GIN (Kentucky) weren’t prominent on the radar until this summer or fall. Argentina’s SARAWAK RIM will add international intrigue, while Japan returns ALICE VERITE off last year's Distaff fourth-place run.
Thorpedo Anna’s 2024 score provided just a $2.80 return, matching the Distaff’s all-time record low payout (Life’s Magic 1985). It tied for the second-smallest payout in any Breeders’ Cup race ever, only behind Meadow Star’s $2.40 mutuel in the 1990 Juvenile Fillies.
Last year’s $1 exacta return of $3.90 was the shortest in Breeders’ Cup history, race history as was the $1 trifecta payoff of $25.40. The 10-cent superfecta at just $6.90 was second only to the 2021 Juvenile Fillies ($3.53).
The average Distaff winner has paid $18.56 and 17% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Horses prepped in California are 6: 0-0-1 in Del Mar’s 3 Distaff editions, topped by Paradise Woods’ third in 2017.
3-year-olds have won the Distaff 12 times after last year’s one-three finish by sophomores Thorpedo Anna and Candied.
Keeneland’s Spinster has springboarded a Distaff-best 13 winners all-time. NYRA’s Beldame (9) and Santa Anita’s Zenyatta (8) are next-best.
Thorpedo Anna (2024) and Royal Delta (2012) are the only wire-to-wire Distaff winners in the last 20 years.
SCENE SETTER: REBEL’S ROMANCE, hero here in 2022 and 2024, could join legends Goldikova and Beholder as the only 3-time winners in Breeders’ Cup history. The ageless 7-year-old notched his 20th career win from 29 starts when winning the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, getting an early jaunt to America to ready for another BC try. He’ll be one of the stars of stars at Del Mar. Another epic Godolphin-Coolmore clash will be in store as Arc de Triomphe runner-up MINNIE HAUK comes stateside for 7-time BCT winner Aidan O’Brien and takes on the boys. International Group 1 winners SALAWI and GOLIATH add top-class depth, while America’s hopes may lie with GOLD PHOENIX, fourth a year ago in the Turf and a 4-time winner of the Del Mar Handicap.
Despite favorite Rebel’s Romance winning a year ago, the 10-cent superfecta return ($544.80) was sixth-best in the 28-year history of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which began offering the wager in 1997.
The average Turf winner has paid $19.44 and 27% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Europeans have won 21 of the last 26 Turf editions, including 9 of the last 10 and all 3 renewals at Del Mar (Rebel’s Romance $5.80 in ’24, Yibir $30.20 in ’21, Talismanic $19 in ’17).
Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s career record in the Turf sits at 36: 7-6-5, challenged only for superiority all-time by recent retiree Sir Michael Stoute’s 15: 4-2-0 mark.
Last year Rebel’s Romance became the 19th Irish-bred to win the Turf and fourth in the past 5 years.
5 fillies/mares have won the Turf, all based in Europe: Tarnawa (2020), Enable (2018), Found (2015), Miss Alleged (1991) and Pebbles (1985).
Johar (2003) is the only California-based Turf winner in the last 25 years.
SCENE SETTER: If you liked the 2024 Classic, you’ll love Saturday’s main event. The 1-2-3 rematch of SIERRA LEONE, FIERCENESS and FOREVER YOUNG pits a trio of 4-year-olds against a superstar crop of 3-year-olds. The deep cast includes Preakness winner JOURNALISM, PA Derby victor BAEZA and Todd Pletcher’s veteran duo of MINDFRAME and ANTIQUARIAN. SIERRA LEONE bids to join Tiznow (2000-’01) as the only back-to-back Classic champs..
Sierra Leone’s $15.80 mutuel was the largest in the Classic since Fort Larned paid $20.80 in 2012. It snapped a streak of 9 straight classic winners at 9-2 or less odds.
3 straight Classic winners turned in their final preps during summer boutique meets at Saratoga (Travers, Whitney) or Del Mar (Pacific Classic). That’s now happened 5 of the last 10 years after happening just once in the first 31 years of this race.
The average Classic winner has paid $22.92 ($16.76 without Arcangues’ paying $269.20 in 1993) and 22% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
The only Classic winner in the last 15 years at double-digit odds was 14-1 Drosselmeyer in 2011.
Del Mar’s 3 Classics have gone to Kentucky-based Gun Runner (2017) and Knicks Go (2021) as well as New York-based Sierra Leone (2024). The first pair won wire-to-wire.
Internationally based runners have won the Classic twice; Argangues (1993 / dirt) and Raven’s Pass (2008 / synthetic), both at Santa Anita. Japan’s Derma Sotogake and Forever Young have finished second and third, respectively, the past 2 years.
Last year Sierra Leone became the 14th 3-year-old to win the Classic. The last time the Classic trifecta did not include at least one 3-year-old was 2019.
SCENE SETTER: More Than Looks may be retired, but his 2-3 pursuers from the 2024 Mile are back in JOHANNES and NOTABLE SPEECH. The former comes off a victory in the City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita in a limited campaign, while the latter (beaten favorite a year ago) exits a good score in the Woodbine Mile. NOTABLE SPEECH gets a second chance to deliver after failing to add Godolphin and Charlie Appleby’s unprecedented fourth BC Mile in succession. FORMIDABLE MAN and RHETORICAL are among America’s top prep winners. Europe counters with Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Lonchamp victor SAHLAN and 150-1 Group 1 Sussex stunner QIRAT.
Last year’s winner More Than Looks posted the third-highest win payout ($15.80) in the last decade of the Mile.
US-based More Than Looks snapped a 4-year winning streak for the Europeans in the 2024 BC Mile.
The average Mile winner has paid $23.46 and 27% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Favorites have 2 wins and a third in the 3 Del Mar BC Mile editions. World Approval (2017) and Space Blues (2021) won, while Notable Speech (2024) got the show money.
Last year More Than Looks became the first US-based male to win the BC Mile since World Approval in 2017. The More Than Looks-Johannes exacta was the first American sweep since the fillies Uni-Got Stormy ran 1-2 in 2019.
Europeans have won the Mile 5 of the last 7 years.
10 fillies/mares have won the Mile, most of any open Breeders’ Cup division, most recently Uni in 2019.
The Mile has produced 2 of the 4-largest $2 win payoffs in Breeders’ Cup event history: $148.60 Order of Australia (2020) and $131.60 Court Vision (2011).
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SCENE SETTER: The race that’s the crossroads between the Sprint and Classic, the Dirt Mile could showcase a trio of Breeders’ Cup winners from recent vintage as well as a Kentucky Derby winner. Potentially the most star-studded DM in its 19 years, the race includes defending champion FULL SERRANO and his west coast mate CITIZEN BULL, last year’s Juvenile winner; 2023 BC Classic winner WHITE ABARRIO; and MYSTIK DAN, who wore the roses a season ago and makes his BC debut. NYSOS has starpower that could see him favored. If FULL SERRANO joins Goldencents and Cody’s Wish as the third 2-time winner of the DM, he will have earned it.
Full Serrano ($28.80) was the biggest price to land the Dirt Mile since Battle of Midway paid $30.40 in 2017 – when also held at Del Mar.
Full Serrano’s 2024 score in the DM was the race’s first by a California-prepped runner since Goldencents won back-to-back in 2013-’14.
The average DM winner has paid $18.97 and 33% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Of the 7 largest payouts in DM history, 6 have come in California-hosted events. Del Mar owns 2 of the top 5 upsets (Battle of Midway ’17 and Full Serrano ’24).
At least one 3-year-old has finished in the DM trifecta each of the last 9 years, including exacta finishers in 5 of the last 6 editions.
The Dirt Mile pacesetter has a 8: 4-2-0 record over the past 8 years. Last year’s winner Full Serrano pressed from second early.
Five of 18 Dirt Mile winners exited sprint preps, exiting races like the Forego, Vosburgh and Santa Anita Sprint Championship.
SCENE SETTER: CINDERELLA’S DREAM returns from the UK in search of the half-length she missed by in last year’s FMT as the favorite. The international contingent should relish the 1-3/8 miles distance at Del Mar, which is 220 yards farther than FMT editions held at Santa Anita and 330 yards farther than at Keeneland. American SHE FEELS PRETTY is a head short of winning her last 6 races, which includes an E.P. Taylor score at Woodbine that produced last year’s FMT heroine Moira. This year's Group 1 French Oaks winner GEZORA adds to a deep foreign invasion.
Six straight FMT winners last prepped outside of the US: 2 England, 2 France, 1 Japan, 1 Canada (Moira a year ago). Foreign-prepped horses have won all 3 Del Mar editions of this race.
The average FMT winner has paid $20.08 and 31% of its editions have been won at 10-1 or more odds.
Favorites are just 2 for the last 18 in this division while 5 of the last 10 finished second.
California preppers are 0-58 in the FMT all-time with Didia’s third-place finish last year topping the 5 locals who entered.
3-year-olds have 8 wins in the FMT, all by Europeans, including a run in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
The FMT has only been won twice in its 25 years on the front end: Dayatthespa (2014) and Intercontinental (2005).
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