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2026 Breeders' Cup Odds
Official 2026 Breeders' Cup Odds
Looking for Breeders' Cup odds comparisons in 2026? TwinSpires.com is an official betting partner of the Breeders' Cup, will offer live pari-mutuel odds on Breeders' Cup betting.
Last updated: June 1st at 7:04 p.m. EDT
2026 Breeders' Cup Probable Fair Odds, Pre-Entries Odds and Official Morning Line Odds
Looking for the latest Breeders' Cup odds for 2026? Stay updated with real-time odds and expert insights from TwinSpires, your go-to source for all things Breeders' Cup. Find the official entries and morning line odds, Prime Power, best Speed Rating and Class ranking for this year's Breeders' Cup Championships.
Below you will find the odds from the previous years races, but check back closer to race day for the 2026 odds!
Quick links below to jump to a specific race:
Official Morning Line Odds for the Breeders Cup
Probable odds and official morning line odds for the 2026 running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships meet, which will be held at Keeneland Racetrack in Kentucky on Oct. 30th and Oct. 31st, will be finalized and released on Monday, Oct. 26. The release will be streamed live on www.breederscup.com, the official Breeders’ Cup App, YouTube, Facebook Live and on TwinSpires as well.
Created as a season-ending, multi-race championship event for Thoroughbred racing, the first running of the Breeders’ Cup in 1984 at the now-defunct Hollywood Park featured seven races worth a combined $13 million in purses. The event has grown significantly in size and scope since then, with the 2024 event offering 14 races and $29 million in purses over a two-day program. The Breeders’ Cup days are the two biggest wagering days in North American racing each year.
Click here for handicapping tips for Future Stars Friday!
Juvenile Turf Sprint Odds
Race on Friday, Post Time 2:55 PM ET / Race 6 Post Time 11:55 AM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT (GI) is a five furlong race for 2-year-olds to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Heeere's Johnny | 15-1 | Javier Castellano | Raymond Handal |
2 | Street Beast | 10-1 | Luan Machado | Ben Colebrook |
3 | Outfielder | 10-1 | David Egan | Wesley Ward |
4 | Third Beer | 30-1 | Antonio Fresu | Tim Yakteen |
5 | Let's Be Frank | 15-1 | Juan Hernandez | Mike Maker |
6 | North Coast (IRE) | 30-1 | Dylan McMonagle | Joseph O'Brien |
7 | Gordon Pass | 20-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | William Walden |
8 | Stark Contrast | 30-1 | Kazushi Kimura | Michael McCarthy |
9 | Argos | 6-1 | Flavien Prat | Riley Mott |
10 | Ardisia (IRE) | 15-1 | Oisin Murphy | Hug Palmer |
11 | Turf Star | 30-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Graham Motion |
12 | Bottas | 6-1 | Manny Franco | Miguel Clement |
13 | Hey Nay Nay (IRE') | 8-1 | Joel Rosario | John Sadler |
14 | Gstaad | 9-5 | Christophe Soumillon | Aidan O'Brien |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Juvenile Fillies Odds
Race on Friday, Post Time 3:35 PM ET / Race 7 Post Time 12:35 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (GI) is a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old fillies. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Iron Orchard | 6-1 | Joel Rosario | Danny Gargan |
2 | Bottle of Rouge | 9-2 | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
3 | Meaning | 15-1 | Jose Ortiz | Michael McCarthy |
4 | Percy's Bar | 9-2 | Luan Machado | Ben Colebrook |
5 | Tommy Jo | 7-2 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
6 | La Ville Lumiere | 20-1 | Kazushi Kimura | Mike McCarthy |
7 | Explora | 5-2 | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert |
8 | Super Corredora | 15-1 | Hector Berrios | John Sadler |
9 | La Wally | 10-1 | Flavien Prat | Mark Glatt |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Juvenile Fillies Turf Odds
Race on Friday, Post Time 4:15 PM ET / Race 8 Post Time 1:15 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF (GI) is a one mile race for 2-year-old fillies to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Ultimate Love | 8-1 | John Velazquez | Michael Trombetta |
2 | Queen of Hawaii (IRE) | 12-1 | Dylan McMonagle | Aidan O'Brien |
3 | Imaginationthelady | 10-1 | Frankie Dettori | Brendan Walsh |
4 | Infinite Sky | 20-1 | Flavien Prat | Brad Cox |
5 | Final Accord | 15-1 | Jose Ortiz | Mark Casse |
6 | Switch in Love (JPN) | 20-1 | Ryusei Sakai | Yoshito Yahagi |
7 | Celebrity Warrior | 30-1 | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher |
8 | Brave Deb | 20-1 | Micro Demuro | Richard Mandella |
9 | Time to Dream | 5-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd Pletcher |
10 | Balantina (IRE) | 30-1 | Oisin Murphy | Donnacha O'Brien |
11 | Ground Support | 15-1 | Adam Beschizza | Kelsey Danner |
12 | Pacific Mission | 15-1 | Colin Keane | Andrew Balding |
13 | Precise | 6-5 | Christophe Sumillon | Aidan O'Brien |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Juvenile Odds
Race on Friday, Post Time 4:55 PM ET / Race 9 Post Time1:55 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE (GI) presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Intrepido | 8-1 | Hector Berrios | Jeff Mullins |
2 | Blackout Time | 5-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Kenny McPeek |
3 | Mr. A. P. | 30-1 | Antonio Fresu | Vladimir Cerin |
4 | Comport | 30-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Eddie Kenneally |
5 | Civil Liberty | 30-1 | Frankie Dettori | Doug O'Neil |
6 | Litmus Test | 15-1 | Jose Ortiz | Bob Baffert |
7 | Brant | 5-2 | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert |
8 | Ted Noffey | 4-5 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Juvenile Turf Odds
Race on Friday, Post Time 5:35 PM ET / Race 10 Post Time 2:35 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF (GI) is a one mile race for 2-year-old colts and geldings to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Heeere's Johnny | 15-1 | Javier Castellano | Raymond Handal |
2 | Street Beast | 10-1 | Luan Machado | Ben Colebrook |
3 | Outfielder | 10-1 | David Egan | Wesley Ward |
4 | Third Beer | 30-1 | Antonio Fresu | Tim Yakteen |
5 | Let's Be Frank | 15-1 | Juan Hernandez | Mike Maker |
6 | North Coast (IRE) | 30-1 | Dylan McMonagle | Joseph O'Brien |
7 | Gordon Pass | 20-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | William Walden |
8 | Stark Contrast | 30-1 | Kazushi Kimura | Michael McCarthy |
9 | Argos | 6-1 | Flavien Prat | Riley Mott |
10 | Ardisia (IRE) | 15-1 | Oisin Murphy | Hug Palmer |
11 | Turf Star | 30-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Graham Motion |
12 | Bottas | 6-1 | Manny Franco | Miguel Clement |
13 | Hey Nay Nay (IRE') | 8-1 | Joel Rosario | John Sadler |
14 | Gstaad | 9-5 | Christophe Soumillon | Aidan O'Brien |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Dirt Mile Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 1:10 PM ET / Race 4 Post Time 10:10 AM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP DIRT MILE (GI) is a one mile race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Will Take It | 30-1 | Mike Smith | Dallas Stewart |
2 | Goal Oriented | 6-1 | Luis Saez | Bob Baffert |
3 | Nysos | 8-5 | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert |
4 | Mystik Dan | 6-1 | Francisco Arrieta | Kenny McPeek |
5 | Tumbarumba | 20-1 | Tyler Gaffialione | Brian Lynch |
6 | Full Serrano (ARG) | 7-2 | Joel Rosario | John Sadler |
7 | Citizen Bull | 10-1 | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert |
8 | Chancer McPatrick | 15-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Chad Brown |
9 | Touch of Destiny (URU) | 20-1 | Luis Caceres | Michael McCarthy |
10 | White Abarrio | 8-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Saffie Joseph, Jr. |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Turf Sprint Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 1:48 PM ET / Race 5 Post Time 10:48 AM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT (GI) is a five furlong race for 3-year-olds and up to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Motorious (GB) | 7-2 | Antonio Fresu | Philip D'Amato |
2 | Reef Runner | 6-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | David Fawkes |
3 | Arizona Blaze (GB) | 5-1 | David Egan | Adrian Murray |
4 | Khaadem (IRE) | 10-1 | Frankie Dettori | Charles Hills |
5 | Bring Theband Home | 12-1 | Javier Castellano | Mark E. Casse |
6 | Governor Sam | 15-1 | Flavien Prat | George Weaver |
7 | She's Quality (IRE) | 20-1 | Colin Keane | Jack W Davison |
8 | Ag Bullet | 4-1 | John Velazquez | Richard Baltas |
9 | Bear River | 20-1 | James Graham | Keith Desomeaux |
10 | Shisospicy | 6-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Jose D' Angelo |
11 | Bucanero Fuerte (GB) | 20-1 | Umbert Rispoli | Adrian Murray |
12 | Invincible Papa (AUS) | 20-1 | Daisuke Sasaki | Daishi Ito |
13 AE | Puro Magic | 20-1 | Oisin Murphy | Shogo Yasuda |
14 AE | Yellow Card | 15-1 | Kazushi Kimura | Michael McCarthy |
15 AE | No Nay Hudson | 20-1 | Pablo Morales | Wesley Ward |
16 AE | Incanto | 30-1 | Hector Berrios | Peter Eurton |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Sprint Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 2:26 PM ET / Race 6 Post Time 11:26 AM ET
The BREEDERS' CUP SPRINT (GI) is a six furlong race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Kopion | 7-2 | Mike Smith | Richard Mandella |
2 | Banishing | 15-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Daid Jacobson |
3 | Lovesick Blues | 10-1 | Geovanni Franco | Librado Barocio |
4 | Patriot Spirit | 30-1 | Javier Castellano | Michael Cmpbell |
5 | Big City Lights | 15-1 | Kazushi Kimura | Richard Mandella |
6 | Dr. Venkman | 15-1 | Umberto Rispoli | Mark Glatt |
7 | Imagination | 6-1 | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert |
8 | Nakatomi | 15-1 | Jose Ortiz | Wesley Ward |
9 | American Stage | 30-1 | Ryusei Sakai | Yahagi Yoshito |
10 | Bentornato | 5-2 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Jose D'Angelo |
11 | Mullikin | 15-1 | Flavien Prat | Rodolphe Brisset |
12 | Straight No Chaser | 8-1 | John Velazquez | Dan Blacker |
13 | Mad House | 30-1 | Luis Saez | David VanWinkle |
14 | Whatchatalkinabout | 30-1 | Emisael Jeramillo | Wesley Ward |
15 AE | Valiant Force | 30-1 | David Eagan | Adirna Murray |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Filly & Mare Turf Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 3:04 PM ET / Race 7 Post Time 12:04 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF (GI) is a 1 3/8-mile race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Mission of Joy | 30-1 | Umberto Rispoli | Philip D'Amato |
2 | Stellify | 30-1 | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox |
3 | Atsila (IRE) | 20-1 | Gavin Ryan | Donnacha O'Brien |
4 | Village Voice (GB) | 15-1 | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown |
5 | Gezora (FR) | 7-2 | Mickael Barzalona | Francis - Henri Graffard |
6 | Diamond Rain (GB) | 6-1 | Billy Loughnane | Charles Appleby |
7 | Be Your Best (IRE) | 30-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. |
8 | Cathedral | 30-1 | David Egan | Kevin Philippart De Foy |
9 | Cinderella's Dream (GB) | 9-2 | William Buick | Charles Appleby |
10 | La Kika (PER) | 30-1 | Mirco Demuro | Doug O'Neill |
11 | Bedtime Story (IRE) | 12-1 | Christophe Soumillon | Aidan O'Brien |
12 | Bellezza (IRE) | 20-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Miguel Clement |
13 | She Feels Pretty | 4-1 | John Velazquez | Cherie DeVaux |
14 | See the Fire (GB) | 5-1 | Oisin Murphy | Balding Andrew |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Filly & Mare Sprint Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 3:42 PM ET / Race 8 Post Time 12:42 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT (GI) is a seven furlong race for 3-year-olds and up, fillies & mares. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Zeitlos | 20-1 | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen |
2 | Splendora | 8-1 | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert |
3 | Vahva | 12-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Cherie DeVaux |
4 | Tamara | 7-2 | Mike Smith | Richard Mandella |
5 | Fee Blanche (JPN) | 30-1 | Hiroto Yoshihara | Terunobu Fujita |
6 | Sweet Azteca | 2-1 | Juan Hernandez | Richard Baltas |
7 | Haulin Ice | 20-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
8 | Hope Road | 4-1 | Jose Ortiz | Bob Baffert |
9 | Richi (CHI) | 5-1 | Luis Saez | Bob Baffert |
10 | Praying | 20-1 | John Velazquez | Rober Medina |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Mile Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 4:20 PM ET / Race 9 Post Time 1:20 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP MILE (GI) is a one mile race for 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | One Stripe (SAF) | 30-1 | Juan Hernandez | W. C. Marshall |
2 | Notable Speech (GB) | 5-2 | William Buick | Charles Appleby |
3 | Sahlan (IRE) | 6-1 | Mickael Barzalona | Francis - Henri Gaffard |
4 | The Lion In Winter | 6-1 | Christophe Soumillon | Aidan O'Brien |
5 | Program Trading | 10-1 | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown |
6 | Gran Oriente (CHI) | 30-1 | Hector Barrios | Alvarez Donoso Jose Miguel |
7 | Johannes | 8-1 | Umberto Rispoli | Tim Yakteen |
8 | Formidable Man | 10-1 | John Velazquez | Michael McCarthy |
9 | Argine (JPN) | 20-1 | Frankie Dettori | Mitsumasa Nakauchida |
10 | Jonquil | 10-1 | Colin Keane | Andrew Balding |
11 | Rhetorical | 5-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | William Walden |
12 | Gas Me Up | 30-1 | Jose Ortiz | Kevin Attard |
13 | Qirat (GB) | 20-1 | Rossa Ryan | Ralph Beckett |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Distaff Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 4:58 PM ET / Race 10 Post Time 1:58 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF (GI) is a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | Nitrogen | 4-1 | Jose Ortiz | Mark Casse |
2 | Sarawak Rim (ARG) | 12-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Juan Franco Saldvia |
3 | Clicquot | 10-1 | Flavien Prat | Brendan Walsh |
4 | Scylla | 15-1 | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott |
5 | Scottish Lassie | 12-1 | Joel Rosario | Jorge Abreu |
6 | Alice Verite (JPN) | 20-1 | Kyle Frey | Kazuya Nakatake |
7 | Gin Gin | 12-1 | Luis Saez | Brendan Walsh |
8 | Seismic Beauty | 9-5 | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert |
9 | Majestic Oops | 30-1 | Umberto Rispoli | Dan Ward |
10 | Gun Song | 30-1 | Tyler Gafflione | Mark A. Hennig |
11 | Dry Powder | 20-1 | Antonio Fresu | Chad Summers |
12 | Dorth Vader | 5-1 | John Velazquez | George Weaver |
13 | Regaled | 30-1 | Joseph Ramos | Whit Beckman |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Turf Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 5:36 PM ET / Race 11 Post Time 2:36 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP TURF (GI) is a 1 1/2-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $5 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Odds | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | 5-2 | Rebel's Romance (IRE) | William Buick | Charles Appleby |
2 | 8-1 | Goliath (GER) | Mickael Barzalona | Francis - Henri Gaffard |
3 | 10-1 | Amiloc (GB) | Rossa Ryan | Ralph Beckett |
4 | 15-1 | Redistricting (GB) | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown |
5 | 30-1 | Rebel Red (GB) | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | DeVaux Cherie |
6 | 20-1 | Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) | Frankie Dettori | James Owen |
7 | 30-1 | Silawi (IRE) | James Doyle | Hamad Al Jehani |
8 | 8-5 | Minnie Hauk | Christophe Soumillon | Aidan O'Brien |
9 | 20-1 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Umberto Rispoli | Philip D'Amato |
10 | 15-1 | El Cordobes (IRE) | Billy Loughnane | Charles Appleby |
11 | 20-1 | Rashabar (IRE) | Joe Leavy | Brian Meehan |
12 | 30-1 | Tawny Port | Manny Franco | Miguel Clement |
13 | 30-1 | Hill Road | David Egan | Chad Brown |
14 | 30-1 | Ethical Diamond (IRE) | Dylan McMonagle | Willie Mullins |
Click here to return to table of contents for all Breeders' Cup races
Classic Odds
Race on Saturday, Post Time 6:16 PM ET / Race 12 Post Time 3:16 PM PT
The BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC (GI) is a 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $7 million, including travel awards. Horses entered and their odds for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are coming soon! Check out last year's below.
| PP | Odds | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|
1 | 4-1 | Fierceness | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
2 | 15-1 | Baeza | Hector Berrios | John Shirreffs |
3 | 20-1 | Nevada Beach | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
4 | 50-1 | Contrary Thinking | Florent Geroux | Chad Brown |
5 | 6-1 | Forever Young (JPN) | Ryusei Sakai | Yoshito Yahagi |
7 | 8-1 | Sierra Leone | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown |
8 | 10-1 | Mindframe | Irad Ortiz, Jr | Todd Pletcher |
9 | 10-1 | Journalism | Jose Ortiz | Michael McCarthy |
10 | 15-1 | Antiquarian | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher |
Breeders' Cup Odds Frequently Asked Questions
The final betting odds are uniform across tracks, but the host track's physical venue significantly influences how horses are priced relative to their past performances.
| Track Profile | Performance Factors | Odds Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Keeneland | Longer stretch, cooler fall weather, deeper dirt/turf moisture. | European turf invaders and stamina-oriented closers often take heavier action, shortening their prices. |
| Del Mar | Tight turns, shorter stretch, firm/fast surfaces. | Speed horses and inside post positions often get over-bet, driving down their odds compared to off-the-pace closers. |
| Santa Anita | Fast main track, sun-baked turf, downhill course dynamics. | Front-runners and California-based horses familiar with the surface tend to take disproportionate market money. |
| Churchill Downs | Wide sweeping turns, long homestretch, potential wet track. | Form holding from the Kentucky circuit gets heavily backed, often reducing value on local favorites. |
Using Odds: Finding Value at the Breeders’ Cup
When it comes to wagering on the Breeders’ Cup races, it’s a must to look for value in all the carded races – and because of the class of the horses and the size of the fields, there’s plenty to be found.
The Breeders’ Cup races frequently get somewhere near their capacity of 14 runners (12 for the Dirt Mile). Any time full fields happen, the opportunity grows for for horses of greater value to finish in the money at more lucrative odds. Compare this to most races during the calendar year offering about eight or nine runners in a field. When 14 horses enter into the field, the money bet has more runners to spread among, which results in greater payouts.
Additionally, the Breeders’ Cup usually brings together all of the best horses in training in North America; along with some of the best horses from Europe, Japan, South America and occasionally other parts of the world. Fans rarely find this high of quality fielding of talented horses in each racing division, than there is at the Breeders’ Cup. Which means there’s likely to be better value for horses that usually start at shorter odds.
One good example of a great horse at a-typical attractive high odds ran in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2015. Bar his maiden race, the unbeaten Californian colt Nyquist had not started at more than even money in any start prior to the Juvenile, including two grade one races. The 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile fielded a full gate of 14 horses, with the best of the East Coast runners present to take on Nyquist. He started as 4.7-1 second favorite. He duly won, and never started at those odds again – not even against 20 horses in the Kentucky Derby, which he won at 2.3-1 odds.
Another good example of how field strength can produce great odds was the Breeders' Cup Ladies’ Classic (Distaff). Defending champion Royal Delta had raced four times in the U.S. that year achieving three wins, and not started at a price longer than 0.85-1. But in the Ladies’ Classic, despite a field size of eight, there was enough depth in the field that Royal Delta started at 1.7-1. She duly won the race.
Large field sizes also produce some fantastic returns for exotic bets. Over a recent 10 year-period of the Breeders’ Cup, the average payouts for the exacta was $196, trifecta $1,870, and the superfecta $15,363. So when you’re risking your bankroll during the two days of Breeders’ Cup races, know that victory is found also in value, and sometimes a life changing score.
Breeders' Cup Odds History and Post Position Draw
Each Breeders’ Cup race is limited to 14 runners, with the lone exception of the Dirt Mile, which is limited to 12 runners.
After all Breeders' Cup races have been drawn, the track handicapper derives a morning line for each race that is run on Friday and Saturday.
The Breeders’ Cup is known for longshots and the biggest payoff in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was at Santa Anita in 1993. French horse Arcangues won with jockey Jerry Bailey aboard at staggering odds of 133-1. Arcangues paid a whopping $269.20 on a $2 win bet.
The shortest-priced favorites to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic are Cigar, who completed a perfect season when winning in 1995, and Triple Crown hero American Pharoah in 2015 for a Grand Slam.
Sent off at 3-5, Cigar went on to win by 2 ½ lengths over a muddy track at Belmont Park and paying a minimal $3.40. That victory was jockey Jerry Bailey’s 3rd consecutive win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
American Pharoah’s victory completed U.S. Thoroughbred Racing’s Grand Slam for the first time – the Triple Crown plus the Breeders’ Classic. He coasted to victory by 6 ½ lengths under jockey Victor Espinoza.
One of the best wagers during Breeders’ Cup weekend is the pick 4. The pick 4 is offered three times on Friday and Saturday race cards. The pick 4 is a very budget friendly wager for bettors as the minimum wager is 50 cents, and it can produce some fantastic payoffs.
In 2011, the late pick 4 of St Nicholas Abbey (Turf), Hansen(Juvenile), Court Vision (Mile), and Drosselmeyer (Classic) paid $46,814 on a 50-cent wager, and in 2014 there was another huge five-figure pick 4 payout for $32,691 for Take Charge Brandi (Juvenile Fillies), Dayatthespa (Filly & Mare Turf), Judy the Beauty (Filly & Mare Sprint), and Bobby’s Kitten (Turf Sprint).