2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic: Betting With, and Against, Forever Young

Installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite, Forever Young is the horse to beat in Saturday’s $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

The international superstar won last year’s Classic at Del Mar, scoring by a half-length over defending champion Sierra Leone, and the five-year-old Japanese-bred horse prepped for his title defense with a 3 1/4-length victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park that netted an outstanding 112 Brisnet Speed rating.

Any knocks may prove inconsequential, but big efforts have arguably taken some starch out of Forever Young previously, as he failed to reproduce his best finishing third and second in the last two runnings of the Dubai World Cup (G1) following notable wins in the Saudi Cup (G1) a month earlier. The toll of traveling worldwide for major engagements over the last three years could catch up to Forever Young at some point.

Here are my thoughts for betting with and against Forever Young (#5) in the Classic.

With Forever Young – Wagers

• $50 win: 5
• $10 Exactas: 5 with 4,6,7 ($30)
• $5 Trifectas: 5 with 4,6,7 with 2,3,4,6,7 ($60)

Against Forever Young – Wagers

• $20 win: 4,6 ($40)
• $5 Exactas: 4,6 with 2,3,4,6,7 ($40)

With Forever Young Analysis

Forever Young will be played to win and singled in multi-race wagers, but I will demand value for exotic wagers with the favorite. That means taking a stand against, at least for exactas and the second slot in trifectas, the expected second choice, #2 Sovereignty (5-2).

The reigning Horse of the Year, Sovereignty has raced sparingly since winning the Travers (G1) last year. And while he appeared back on track after winning the Whitney (G1) in early August, Sovereignty missed a scheduled prep in the Jockey Club Gold Cup due to a reported foot abscess and trained in a bar shoe for the Classic. That issue appears behind him, but it’s fair to ask if we‘ve seen the best of Sovereignty this season.

#6 Magnitude (6-1) defeated Forever Young in the Dubai World Cup earlier this year and recorded an excellent win in the Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs two starts back. Steve Asmussen decided to freshen his charge up after a disappointing Whitney effort, and Magnitude has trained forwardly in preparation, suggesting a return to form for the classy four-year-old. The colt’s tactical ability may ensure a good trip, and he will be a key horse for exactas.

I will also use #4 The Puma (10-1), who registered a 105 Brisnet Speed and 114 Late Pace ratings, winning the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) last out. Blinkers appear to have moved the improving colt up, and The Puma figures to be finishing in the Classic; and #7 Knightsbridge (9-2) off a pair of stellar stakes wins in his first attempts at longer distances. 

Against Forever Young Analysis

Magnitude and The Puma will be my key to beating Forever Young, and I don’t see the point in chasing a lot of vertical exotics, playing both to win and on top in exactas.