The 42nd Breeders’ Cup Thoroughbred World Championships are set for November 3-4, 2025, at Del Mar, California. This prestigious two-day event features 14 races, starting with Future Stars Friday, showcasing five races for juvenile horses.
Wide-Open Field in Breeders’ Cup Classic
The highlight of the event is the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic scheduled for Saturday, November 4, at 6:25 p.m. ET. This year’s race will see a field of nine contenders after the scratching of Sovereignty, last year’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner. Initially favored at 6-5, Sovereignty’s absence has created a competitive environment.
Current Favorites and Contenders
With Sovereignty out, Fierceness ascends to the top as the favorite, currently at 5-2 odds. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, Fierceness had previously finished as the runner-up in the Classic.
The full lineup of contenders includes:
- Fierceness (5-2): The favorite and a strong contender after last year’s strong performance.
- Baeza (10-1): A promising horse that won the Pennsylvania Derby and has been performing well.
- Nevada Beach (20-1): A younger horse with only five races, could be a surprise with its speed.
- Contrary Thinking (50-1): Used tactically to create an early pace to benefit stablemate Sierra Leone.
- Forever Young (7-2): The Japanese runner comes with an impressive record of never finishing out of the top three.
- Sierra Leone (7-2): Last year’s champion aims to repeat history.
- Mindframe (6-1): Has previously defeated Sierra Leone, a competitor to watch.
- Journalism (5-1): Recent winner of the Preakness Stakes, now rides with a new jockey.
- Antiquarian (10-1): Another potential long shot with a strong recent performance.
Strategic Race Plans
Contrary Thinking’s role in the race is strategic. His early speed is intended to tire competitors and assist Sierra Leone in securing the win. This tactic, involving the “rabbit” strategy, aims to ensure that no horse can establish a comfortable lead.
Mike Repole, the owner of Fierceness, displayed his concern over Contrary Thinking’s entry, arguing that horses should only race if competing to win.
Betting Options for the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Betting fans have various options, including:
- Win: Select the horse that will finish first.
- Place: Choose a horse to finish either first or second.
- Show: Pick a horse to finish in the top three.
- Exacta: Identify the top two horses in the correct order.
- Trifecta: Predict the top three horses in the exact order.
- Box: Cover all possible combinations for bets like exactas and trifectas.
This year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic boasts one of the strongest fields in recent memory. With multiple horses in contention, this race promises excitement and uncertainty right up to the finish line.
