The culmination of horse racing’s second season (following the conclusion of the Triple Crown in June) is upon us, and the 2024 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic set for Nov. 2 at Del Mar will be the centerpiece of a two-day World Championships event featuring 14 total races.

The Longines Classic will be run for the 41^st time and has a purse of $7 million, $1 million higher than last year. That makes it the richest race run in North America.

The 1 ¼-mile Classic usually draws a field featuring some of the best 3-year-old dirt horses from the Triple Crown season as well as top older horses, and in recent years the field has taken on an increasingly international makeup. This year’s event continues that trend and then some, as two top Japanese horses, Forever Young and Ushba Tesoro, and Europe’s leading 3-year-old, City of Troy, are expected to run.

They’ll match up with top U.S.-based runners Fierceness, Highland Falls, and Sierra Leone in what should be a fantastic betting race and a key factor in determining year-end Eclipse Award honors for champion older dirt male or champion 3-year-old male, and possibly Horse of the Year.

The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic will be televised live nationally on NBC with a scheduled post time of 5:41 p.m. ET and also streamed on Peacock.

Get up to a $200 sign up bonus when you sign up and bet the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar with 1/ST BET! Visit 1st.com/bet/cheatsheet and use promo code BEST200 to get started. Once you have signed up, you'll get up to a $200 sign up bonus. That way, once you get to know the Breeders’ Cup horses in this handy Cheat Sheet, you can stop by 1st.com/bet/cheatsheet and place your bets on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. Plus, you can take advantage of 1/ST BET’s other promotions at 1st.com/bet/promotions. So no matter what horse you pick, your best bet is with 1/ST BET.

Whether you are interested in making a couple of bucks on the race or just want to know a little bit about this year’s runners, we’ve got you covered with our 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Cheat Sheet Presented by 1/ST BET. 

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1. Forever Young (6-1 morning-line odds)

Jockey: Ryusi Sakai

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Owner: Susumu Fujita

Career record: 7 starts – 6 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $2,984,668

Earnings per start: $426,381

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110

Pedigree: Real Steel – Forever Darling, by Congrats

Age: 3

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker/closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This talented colt nearly became the first Japan-based horse to win America’s most prestigious and popular race, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, back on May 4, and for that reason alone he figures to receive support from bettors in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But there’s much more to his credit – Forever Young is unbeaten in all six of his other career starts including a wins in the 1 3/16-mile UAE Derby Sponsored by Atlantis the Royal and the one-mile Boutique Group Saudi Derby earlier in the year. He recently came back in his first start since finishing third by a head in the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby to win a stakes race in Japan at the same distance by 1 ¼ lengths, a solid prep for his return to the U.S. An argument can be made (and has been made by those who bet him) that Forever Young ran the best race in the Kentucky Derby and would have won had he not been bumped in the final strides by runner-up Sierra Leone. He’ll have a shot at redemption against that foe and a chance to prove his mettle against older countrymates Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and even though this will be the toughest field, by far, he’s ever faced, he’s got a shot to pull the upset if he manages a good trip from a midpack stalking spot. Breaking from the inside post position should not be too much of a hindrance since he prefers to come from off of the pace. Breeders’ Cup history: This will be the first Classic appearance for Yoshito Yahagi, but the trainer will be returning to the site of his 2021 Breeders’ Cup breakthrough at Del Mar, where he won both the Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf (Loves Only You) and Longines Distaff (Marche Lorraine).

Bet Forever Young in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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2. Highland Falls (20-1)

Jockey: Luis Saez

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Godolphin

Career record: 9 starts – 5 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $1,192,060

Earnings per start: $132,451

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 113

Pedigree: Curlin – Round Pond, by Awesome Again

Age: 4

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Press the pace/stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This well-bred son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Curlin profiles as a mid-priced win candidate in the Nov. 2 race coming off of an eye-catching, four-length score in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes in early September at Saratoga. Highland Falls defeated a solid field in the 1 ¼-mile Gold Cup, including odds-on favorite Arthur’s Ride, by pressing that foe’s early pace and then showing plenty of stamina for his stretch run to easily hold runner-up Pyrenees at bay. The Godolphin homebred has been solid throughout his nine-race career, finishing off the board only once when fourth in the 1 ¼-mile Santa Anita Handicap Presented by Yamaava’ Resort & Casino (won by Newgate) back in April. Flavien Prat rode Highland Falls in the Jockey Club Gold Cup for the first time but is assigned to Sierra Leone, and now Luis Saez takes the mount for the first time instead of Florent Geroux, who rode Highland Falls for six consecutive starts prior to the Gold Cup. Highland Falls has shown versatility in his running style and is able to press the pace or settle a little farther back and stalk for the first mile or so in his route races. Look for Saez, a good judge of pace, to hustle him out of the gate from post position 2 and situate him in an opportunistic spot through the backstretch. Breeders’ Cup history: Brad Cox won the BC Classic with Knicks Go in 2021, the second time it was held at Del Mar. Jockey Luis Saez finished second by a nose in the 2013 Classic aboard Will Take Charge and has also finished third once from four total starters. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum was a co-owner of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass under his Darley Stable banner. Sheikh Mohammed also has two runner-up finishes and four thirds from 18 other starters under Godolphin and Darley Stable.

Bet Highland Falls in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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3. City of Troy (5-2)

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith

Career record: 7 starts – 6 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $3,028,555

Earnings per start: $432,651

Top Equibase Speed Figure: n/a

Pedigree: Justify – Together Forever, by Galileo

Age: 3

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: The presence of this sensational Ireland-based racehorse in the 2024 Longines Classic adds another level of excitement for racing fans and a higher degree of difficulty for handicappers. City of Troy ships stateside with a 6-for-7 record, his only defeat coming in the English Two Thousand Guineas held at a straight mile at Newmarket back in early May. In his three starts since then, the Kentucky-bred son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify has stretched out to longer distances and posted impressive wins in the 1 ½-mile Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs, the 1 ¼-mile Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, and the 1 5/16-mile Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Of course, all of these races have come on turf, and therein lies the biggest question about City of Troy’s win chances in the BC Classic – can he transfer that elite form to a dirt track? This colt’s pedigree on his dam’s side includes plenty of Group 1 success, starting with his dam Together Forever, by Galileo, but it’s all tilted toward turf. On the other hand, he’s been training well for Coolmore maestro Aidan O’Brien on an all-weather track in England, inspiring the trainer to compare him with Coolmore’s 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Giant’s Causeway. If City of Troy lives up that billing, he’ll be a main win threat, indeed, in the 2024 Classic. He does his best running when forwardly placed, so look for O’Brien’s first-call jockey Ryan Moore to be aggressive in the early stages. It will be interesting to see how well City of Troy’s speed matches up with that of American dirt horses such as Fierceness, Arthur’s Ride, and possibly Highland Falls. He certainly fits the profile of a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner in terms of stamina. Breeders’ Cup history: The Coolmore trio of Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith have been represented by six Breeders’ Cup Classic starters, none of which finished in the top three. However, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor co-owned the aforementioned Giant’s Causeway in 2000, and Susan Magnier was sole owner of 2008 Classic runner-up Henrythenavigator. That colt raced over what was then an all-weather track at Santa Anita Park and finished second to another European-based horse, Raven’s Pass. Aidan O’Brien trained both of those runners for Coolmore.

Bet City of Troy in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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4. Mixto (30-1)

Jockey: Kyle Frey

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Owner: Calumet Farm

Career record: 14 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 4 thirds

Career earnings: $782,180

Earnings per start: $55,870

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 108

Pedigree: Good Magic – Musical Mystery, by Concerto

Age: 4

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This California-based contender punched his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic with an upset win in the FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic Stakes at odds of 22.20-1. He figures to be an even bigger longshot in a stacked BC Classic given that the Pacific Classic victory in late August was only the second win of his 14-race career and first in seven starts since his maiden score in a one-mile race at Del Mar in November of last year. In his defense, Mixto did hit the board in four stakes races on the California circuit between his maiden win and Pacific Classic upset, which occurred at the same track and distance he’ll try again on Nov. 2. This year’s Pacific Classic field was subpar compared with most of the race’s previous runnings, however, as the horse he defeated by a half-length, pacesetter Full Serrano, had only a minor stakes win in Argentina on his résumé. As such, it’s difficult to see him doing much more than filling out the Breeders’ Cup Classic superfecta with his best effort, and even that would be a surprise. Kyle Frey rode Mixto for the first time in the Pacific Classic and retains the mount, his first in a Breeders’ Cup race. Breeders’ Cup history: Trainer Doug O’Neill’s best Breeders’ Cup Classic result from seven prior starters is a fourth with Hot Rod Charlie in 2021.

Bet Mixto in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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5. Senor Buscador (30-1)

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Trainer: Todd Fincher

Owner: Peacock Family Racing Stable

Career record: 21 starts – 7 wins – 2 seconds – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $12,731,427

Earnings per start: $606,258

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 113

Pedigree: Mineshaft – Rose’s Desert, by Desert God

Age: 6

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: A fan favorite, this hard-trying son of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft has already assembled career earnings that put him in the top dozen or so racehorses all-time (not counting those that raced exclusively in Japan). That’s due to his thrilling head win over Ushba Tesoro in the 1 1/8-mile Saudi Cup back in February at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, which netted him a cool $10 million. Senor Buscador followed that up with a third-place effort in the 1 ¼-mile Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline in March, good for another $1.2 million, but since then he’s not been a factor in two U.S. starts, finishing fourth in the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar and then fifth by 15 lengths in the California Crown Stakes Presented by SirDavis American Whisky in late September at Santa Anita Park. Senor Buscador is dependent on getting a fast pace to close into late in his races – he comes from near the back of the field every time and usually gives it his all, but if several horses in front of him do not get tired, he’s up against it. The pace scenario for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic is not excessively fast – on paper that is – and even if front-runners such as Arthur’s Ride, City of Troy, and Fierceness do set swift fractions, Senor Buscador will have to recapture his early 2024 form to have a chance at pulling the upset. It’s worth noting that he has run fairly well on the Del Mar’s dirt track, highlighted by a win in the 1 1/8-mile San Diego Handicap back in July 2023. Breeders’ Cup history: Todd Fincher and the Peacock Family made their Classic debuts last year with Senor Buscador, who finished seventh. Jockey Joel Rosario, who was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in August, has two BC Classic wins to his credit, with Accelerate in 2018 and Knicks Go in 2021. He’s also finished second once and third twice from 12 prior starters.

Bet Senor Buscador in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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6. Derma Sotogake (20-1)

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi

Owner: Hiroyuki Asanuma

Career record: 13 starts – 4 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $3,434,599

Earnings per start: $264,200

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 115

Pedigree: Mind Your Biscuits – Amour Poesie, by Neo Universe

Age: 4

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Among the three Japan-based contenders pointing to this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, Derma Sotogake is overshadowed by Forever Young and Ushba Tesoro, both of whom have accomplished more in recent months. Still, his runner-up finish in last year’s Classic should not be forgotten, as he rallied strongly through the stretch at Santa Anita Park to check in a length behind favored White Abarrio and 1 ¼ lengths clear of fellow closer Proxy. Derma Sotogake has only made three starts since the 2023 Classic, finishing a decent fifth in the lucrative Saudi Cup held at 1 1/8 miles behind winner Senor Buscador and runner-up Ushba Tesoro, a well-beaten sixth in the 1 ¼-mile Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (Ushba Tesoro was second and Senor Buscador third), and most recently a distant fifth in the 1 1/8-mile Nippon TV Hai in Japan. He’ll start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic off of a break of 5 ½ weeks since the Nippon TV Hai and should be fresh and prepared for a top effort since that’s been his only start since late March. His best is probably not good enough to win against this field, but a top-three finish is not out of the question. Breeders’ Cup history: Derma Sotogake’s runner-up finish last year Classic marked the first appearance in the race for his connections, although jockey Christophe Lemaire has made seven overall starts in the Breeders’ Cup, notching a win in the 2012 Juvenile Fillies Turf on Flotilla.

Bet Derma Sotogake in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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7. Ushba Tesoro (12-1)

Jockey: Yuga Kawada

Trainer: Noboru Takagi

Owner: Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co.

Career record: 35 starts – 11 wins – 4 seconds – 5 thirds

Career earnings: $16,414,520

Earnings per start: $468,986

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 112

Pedigree: Orfevre – Millefeui Attach, by King Kamehameha

Age: 7

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This globe-trotting star racehorse figures to be one of the top two or three Breeders’ Cup Classic win contenders in the parimutuel pools, and for good reason. In addition to racking up stakes wins in his native Japan, Ushba Tesoro has excelled against international competition with a win in the 1 ¼-mile Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline in 2023 and a runner-up finish in the same race earlier this year, plus a second-place finish by a head to Senor Buscador in the $20 million Saudi Cup held at 1 1/8 miles back in February. The son of Japanese Triple Crown winner Orfevre also finished a solid fifth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, rallying in the stretch but hanging late to end up 3 ¼ lengths behind winner White Abarrio. His form has slipped slightly this year with three second-place finishes, including his prep race for the BC Classic in Japan in late September going 1 1/8 miles. Still, his career résumé is one of the most impressive in this quality field, and in particular his 7-for-9 record racing at or close to 1 ¼ miles on dirt stands out. He’s one of several closers lined up for the 41^st Breeders’ Cup Classic, and has the best chance to win the race among that group. Breeders’ Cup history: Last year’s race marked the BC Classic debut for Ushba Tesoro’s connections, but jockey Yuga Kawada has experience at the event with five starters overall, including a win aboard Loves Only You in the 2021 Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf.

Bet Ushba Tesoro in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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8. Pyrenees (30-1)

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Owner: Blue Heaven Farm

Career record: 10 starts – 4 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $716,316

Earnings per start: $71,632

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 108

Pedigree: Into Mischief – Our Khrysty, by Newfoundland

Age: 4

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Pyrenees moved off of the also-eligible list and was confirmed for the Classic after Skippylongstocking was withdrawn from consideration. This longshot contender has maintained excellent form for nearly a year, going back to a maiden win in a 1 1/16-mile dirt race at Fair Grounds in December 2023. He won three consecutive starts after that, all in dirt route races, topped by a three-quarter length score over Kingsbarns in the 1 3/16-mile Pimlico Special Stakes in May. Pyrenees then stayed in graded stakes company and held his own in two more starts in the summer, checking in second to now-retired Kingsbarns in the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs and then second by four lengths to Highland Falls in the 1 ¼-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes in early September at Saratoga. The son of Into Mischief from the barn of rising star trainer Cherie DeVaux certainly belongs in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic field but will need to author a career-best performance to have a shot at an upset win. There appears to be some untapped potential with him, however, and that makes Pyrenees a logical horse to use in exacta and trifecta tickets, at what should be a good price. Breeders’ Cup history: Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in his first appearance in the race aboard Fort Larned in 2012.

Bet Pyrenees in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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9. Fierceness (3-1)

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owner: Repole Stable

Career record: 8 starts – 5 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $2,666,350

Earnings per start: $333,294

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110

Pedigree: City of Light – Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty

Age: 3

Color: Bay

Running style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Fierceness has a good shot to vie for post-time favoritism in the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Classic based on his two starts leading into the race, which marked a sterling comeback from a disappointing 15^th-place finish as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. The City of Light colt took more than 2 ½ months off after the Kentucky Derby and returned with a one-length victory over Sierra Leone in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun at Saratoga, where he drifted out a bit in the stretch but still held his rallying foe at bay. He followed that up with an even better effort when holding on to win the DraftKings Travers Stakes, the 1 ¼-mile “Mid-Summer Derby” at Saratoga, by a head over star filly Thorpedo Anna. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who also has Tapit Trice pointed to the Classic, told Daily Racing Form that he believes his charge is better than ever as he trains for his first start in more than two months in the Classic, and winning on this stage will no doubt earn him an Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male for 2024 and also put him in the running for Horse of the Year. Look for regular rider John Velazquez to have Fierceness close to the early lead on Nov. 2, no more than two or three lengths behind the pacesetters at the very worst, and in position to take the lead at the quarter pole and open up on the field in early stretch. That’s the strategy he employed in both the Jim Dandy and Travers, and Fierceness was able to hold on and win both of those races. Breeders’ Cup history: Owner Mike Repole co-owned 2019 Classic winner Vino Rosso, who was trained by Pletcher. Pletcher also has one second- and one third-place finish from 18 total BC Classic starters. Fellow Hall of Famer Velazquez won the 2020 Classic aboard Authentic; he’s also finished second four times from 23 total starters.

Bet Fierceness in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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10. Tapit Trice (30-1)

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owners: Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable

Career record: 12 starts – 6 wins – 0 seconds – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $1,733,650

Earnings per start: $144,471

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110

Pedigree: Tapit – Danzatrice, by Dunkirk

Age: 4

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This well-bred son of leading sire Tapit is one of several come-from-behind types targeting the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and he arguably has the most upside. Tapit Trice will only be making his fourth start of the year in the Nov. 2 Classic, and Todd Pletcher has been patiently pointing him to this race, telling Daily Racing Form that he thinks the colt might be ready for a career-peak performance. He’ll need that to win, but at the very least should be considered for exacta and trifecta tickets as he’s got a good stalking running style for this 1 ¼-mile race plus the requisite stamina to be a factor. Tapit Trice kicked off his 4-year-old season with a dominant win over Highland Falls in the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park in late July, and then followed with a fourth-place finish in the 1 ¼-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga (Highland Falls and Pyrenees were 1-2). In his final Breeders’ Cup prep, he overcame a slow start to outfinish Skippylongstocking and win the 1 1/8-mile Woodward Stakes in late September at Belmont at the Big A. If he can move forward from that race, Tapit Trice can satisfy his trainer’s expectations with an in-the-money finish at a big price on Nov. 2, although an upset win might be too much to ask for. Breeders’ Cup history: Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. gets back aboard Tapit Trice after riding him in the Monmouth Cup Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Ortiz has an impressive career record in this race, with two wins (Vino Rosso in 2019 and White Abarrio last year) and two seconds in eight total starts. Todd Pletcher trained Vino Rosso, and he has also finished second in this race once and third once from 18 starters.

Bet Tapit Trice in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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11. Sierra Leone (12-1)

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Trainer: Chad Brown

Owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, and Peter Brant

Career record: 8 starts – 3 wins – 3 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $2,368,000

Earnings per start: $296,000

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon

Age: 3

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Sierra Leone heads into the Breeders’ Cup Classic still seeking that breakthrough signature victory after multiple good efforts in marquee races starting in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, which he lost by a nose. Back on May 4, he rallied strongly in the stretch to nearly overtake Mystik Dan in Derby 150, only to drift in late and bump third-place finisher Forever Young, affecting both horses’ momentum. Sierra Leone then finished third in the 1 ¼-mile Belmont Stakes at Saratoga in June while drifting out again, a rallying second behind Fierceness in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun in late July at Saratoga, and then third to Fierceness in the 1 ¼-mile DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late August. He was the post-time favorite in all three of those graded stakes. Overall, it appears that Sierra Leone has plateaued as a racehorse – in particular, he lacks the explosive kick he showed early in 2024, especially in his win in the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and in the Kentucky Derby. Perhaps he just didn’t favor Saratoga’s dirt track where he made his last three starts and a trip to Del Mar will help him regain his top form. He can be expected to give a good effort and at the very least pass some tired runners in the stretch with a charge from near the back of the field, which makes him a worthy horse to consider for exotic bets in the Classic. Breeders’ Cup history: Among this colt’s Coolmore-affiliated owners, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor co-owned 2000 Classic runner-up Giant’s Causeway, and Susan Magnier was sole owner of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Henrythenavigator. Chad Brown has had three prior BC Classic horses without hitting the board, while jockey Flavien Prat has enjoyed success in this race in recent years, winning aboard the dominant Horse of the Year Flightline in 2022 and finishing third once and fourth twice, all since 2021.

Bet Sierra Leone in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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12. Arthur’s Ride (15-1)

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Trainer: Bill Mott

Owner: Glassman Racing

Career record: 8 starts – 4 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $804,955

Earnings per start: $100,619

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 115

Pedigree: Tapit – Points of Grace, by Point Given

Age: 4

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Arthur’s Ride entered the top ranks of the older male dirt division in a big way over the summer, winning the prestigious Whitney Stakes at Saratoga in early August in a pacesetting, powerhouse performance. The Tapit colt had his early racing career interrupted by long breaks away from the track due to minor injuries, but returned to win an allowance race during the brief Belmont Stakes festival meet in June, and then two months later, he routed a deep and accomplished field in the 1 1/8-mile Whitney. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott then brought Arthur’s Ride back four weeks later for another start at the Spa in the 1 ¼-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, and he disappointed with a fifth-place finish as the 0.85-1 favorite. Mott subsequently said that he should have given Arthur’s Ride more time off between the Whitney and his final Breeders’ Cup Classic prep, and the colt should be well rested now with a two-month break. Arthur’s Ride’s allowance win at Saratoga back in June was at a mile and a quarter, so he’s proved capable of handling the BC Classic’s distance. Look for jockey Junior Alvarado to urge his mount out of the gate to either set the pace or race just off of it, and it’s worth noting that Arthur’s Ride’s wire-to-wire Whitney win two starts back came when he broke from post position 9 out of 10 runners. Del Mar’s speed-favoring dirt track could work to this contender’s benefit, and he’s got an upset chance if he can recover his Whitney form and manage a similar trip. Breeders’ Cup history: Bill Mott has won the Classic twice, with fellow Hall of Famer Cigar in 1995 and with Drosselmeyer in 2011. He’s also finished second once (Olympiad in 2022) and third three times. Alvarado was aboard Olympiad for his runner-up finish behind Horse of the Year Flightline in 2022. 

Bet Arthur’s Ride in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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13. Newgate (20-1)

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan

Career record: 11 starts – 3 wins – 4 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $655,775

Earnings per start: $59,616

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 122

Pedigree: Into Mischief – Majestic Presence, by Majestic Warrior

Age: 4

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: The advance buzz for November’s Breeders’ Cup Classic is largely bypassing Newgate, but this contender comes into the race off of a very good third-place effort in the California Crown Stakes Presented by SirDavis American Whisky and should not be overlooked. He made his first start since a ninth-place finish in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline in the 1 1/8-mile California Crown in late September, and rallied gamely in the stretch to come up third-best in a three-horse photo finish, a neck behind winner Subsanador and a nose behind stablemate National Treasure. Subsanador was subsequently injured and will miss the Breeders’ Cup, and he had ample buzz as a “wise-guy” contender in the Classic. There’s really no reason Newgate should not get similar support, as he outfinished Subsanador by a head in the 1 ¼-mile Santa Anita Handicap Presented by Yamaava’ Resort & Casino back in March. This son of top sire Into Mischief has had his racing career interrupted by injury but has always been highly regarded, and he’ll be reunited with international ace jockey Frankie Dettori in the Classic after Dettori rode him in his Big ‘Cap win. An intriguing longshot. Breeders’ Cup history: Among Newgate’s expansive ownership group, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables were part-owners of 2020 Classic winner Authentic, and Stonestreet Stables co-owned 2007 Classic winner and Horse of the Year Curlin. Frankie Dettori was aboard European invader Raven’s Pass for his 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic win on Santa Anita Park’s all-weather track, and he’s also finished second once and third once. As for Bob Baffert, the California-based Hall of Famer has won the BC Classic four times, with Bayern (2014), American Pharoah (2015), Arrogate (2016), and Authentic. He’s also finished second six times and third three times from 29 starters.

Bet Newgate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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14. Next (8-1)

Jockey: Luan Machado

Trainer: Doug Cowans

Owner: Michael Foster

Career record: 23 starts – 13 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $1,336,361

Earnings per start: $58,103

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110

Pedigree: Not This Time – Bahia Beach, by Awesome Again

Age: 6

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: The connections of this popular “marathon man” have pre-entered him in both the Classic and Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, but with first preference for this race. That adds even more excitement to this year’s running, as Next figures to be one of the main win contenders in the race as he has absolutely dominated his competition this year in four stakes races held at distances longer than the Classic’s 1 ¼ miles. The total margin of victory for those four contests calculates to an incredible 52 ¼ lengths, and the narrowest margin in an individual race came when Next defeated Crupi by 9 ¼ lengths in the 1 3/8-mile Brooklyn Stakes back in July at Belmont at the Big A, his second consecutive win in that race. The light switched on for this gelding back in September 2022 when he romped in a 1 ½-mile stakes race at Delaware Park that was washed off turf, and since then he’s won eight of nine subsequent starts. The biggest question mark with Next concerns the major upgrade in competition he will face in the BC Classic. He’s been thrashing the same group of solid-but-unspectacular runners for several races now, and  he’ll be facing an entirely new cast. Next has not been challenged in over a year on the racetrack, either, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to adversity if it occurs. Jockey Luan Machado has been aboard Next ever since the Delaware Park stakes win and has been very patient with him – unfortunately, breaking from the far outside post might force Machado to be more aggressive than usual early on with Next in order to have him forwardly placed entering Del Mar’s first turn. Breeders’ Cup history: This will be the first Breeders’ Cup appearance for Next’s connections.

Bet Next in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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Rattle N Roll (also-eligible, 30-1)

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Owner: Lucky Seven Stable

Career record: 22 starts – 8 wins – 2 seconds – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $1,780,941

Earnings per start: $80,952

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 115

Pedigree: Connect – Jazz Tune, by Johannesburg

Age: 5

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker/closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Rattle N Roll is the lone also-eligible left on the list of entries for this race after Pyrenees drew into the field, and he was withdrawn from the Oct. 26 Hagyard Fayette Stakes at Keeneland in order to wait for another possible defection and compete for part of the Longines Classic’s $7 million purse. This talented horse’s career has occurred in fits and starts – he broke on the scene at age 2 with an impressive win in the2021 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity but regressed early in his 3-year-old season and did not start in any of the Triple Crown races. By age 4 in 2023, he was a successful member of the older handicap division but could not rise above Grade 3 status, nabbing three consecutive stakes at that level but coming up short as the favorite in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes (second) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (sixth). He made his last start of 2023 in the Lukas Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs in September, finishing fourth, and then was away from racing for two days less than one calendar year, returning in the Sept. 28 renewal of the Lukas Classic and rallying late to finish third, 3 ¾ lengths behind subsequent Fayette Stakes winner Hit Show. He’ll no doubt be one of the longest shots in the BC Classic field if he makes the race, and profiles as a late-running superfecta filler at best if the early pace is fast. His regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. will be aboard Pyrenees in the Classic. Breeders’ Cup history: Trainer Ken McPeek, enjoying a fantastic year with wins in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and Longines Kentucky Oaks, somewhat surprisingly has never ran a horse in the BC Classic. Jockey Jose Ortiz has made five prior appearances in the BC Classic, and he finished fourth four years in a row, from 2017-2020.

Bet Rattle N Roll in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.