2025 Breeders' Cup post draw analysis and implications

Post positions for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup were drawn on Monday evening, finalizing the fields for 14 championship races at Del Mar.

An impressive roster of 10 horses entered the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Post positions are unlikely to play a major role in the outcome, though 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and expected favorite #6 Sovereignty drew favorably in post 6, as did reigning Classic winner #7 Sierra Leone in post 7.

One Classic contender who could be challenged by the post draw is #1 Fierceness, who drew the rail. He’ll have to avoid getting boxed in behind expected pacesetter #4 Contrary Thinking, though it’s worth noting Fierceness won the Aug. 30 Pacific Classic (G1) after breaking from post 1 over the same track and distance as the Breeders’ Cup Classic, suggesting he’s versatile enough to handle an inside draw.

A full field of 14 turned out for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). #1 Rebel’s Romance, winner of the Turf in 2022 and 2024, may have to use his early speed to establish good position from the rail draw as he seeks a historic Turf three-peat. His main rival, Europe’s standout sophomore filly #8 Minnie Hauk, drew well in post 8.

A 13-horse field will face the starter in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). #8 Seismic Beauty, a fast winner of the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar, should have no trouble securing a forward position from post 8. Meanwhile, Ogden Phipps (G1) winner #12 Dorth Vader—who typically tracks the pace or closes from midfield—could be at risk for a wide trip from post 12.

With an overflow field of 15 (including one also-eligible) entered in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), expect a fast pace to unfold. #12 Straight No Chaser, #10 Bentornato, and #11 Mullikin—the top three finishers in the 2024 Sprint—have all drawn outside posts and may have to sprint hard early to avoid running wide around the turn. Meanwhile, the filly #1 Kopion has drawn the rail, which isn’t necessarily a bad post since she dominated the Derby City Distaff (G1) after saving ground from post 2.

The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) has drawn 16 entrants, though only a dozen will be allowed to start. The field includes #1 Motorious, runner-up by a neck in the 2024 Turf Sprint after breaking from the rail. He’ll start from the same post in 2025, giving him every chance to factor again. Jaipur (G1) heroine #8 Ag Bullet and Flying Five (G1) winner #3 Arizona Blaze have likewise drawn well, while Japanese raider #12 Invincible Papa must avoid a wide trip from the far outside post.

In the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), #2 Notable Speech will start from post 2, the same post from which he won the Woodbine Mile (G1) last time out. #7 Johannes, who edged Notable Speech when they ran second and third in the 2024 Mile, has drawn suitably in post 7. Post positions shouldn’t play a major role in the outcome of the Mile, though upset Sussex (G1) winner #13 Qirat—who has early speed—may have to sprint hard to avoid a wide trip from the outside draw.

Only 10 horses will square off in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and with a long run to the turn, post positions are less critical. Pure speedster #6 Sweet Azteca shouldn’t have any difficulty making the lead from post 6, and Ballerina (G1) winner #8 Hope Road ought to secure a favorable stalking trip from post 8.

Another 10-horse field has turned out for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). Expected favorite #3 Nysos, who is a neck away from being unbeaten in six starts, has won the Triple Bend (G3) and San Diego H. (G2) with inside trips, so he shouldn’t mind breaking from post 3. Reigning Dirt Mile winner #6 Full Serrano likewise drew well, and 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner #4 Mystik Dan—who loves saving ground—should be able to find the rail from post 4.

In the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), leading North American contender #13 She Feels Pretty has landed post 13 in a 14-horse field, placing her at risk of a wide trip. #9 Cinderella’s Dream, runner-up in the 2024 Filly & Mare Turf, drew better in post 9, while Prix de Diane (G1) conqueror #5 Gezora should have every chance to save ground from post 5.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) drew only eight entries, the smallest field of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup. Unbeaten Hopeful (G1) and Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner #8 Ted Noffey should be able to stay out of traffic trouble while breaking from the far outside post. There’s a good chance he’ll wind up tracking gate-to-wire Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner #7 Brant, who is starting directly to his inside.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) attracted nine entries. #1 Iron Orchard, who won the Frizette (G1) despite racing wide, has an opportunity to save ground while breaking from the rail. Meanwhile, Alcibiades (G1) heroine #5 Tommy Jo and Oak Leaf (G2) winner #7 Explora figure to work out their typical trips from posts 5 and 7.

In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), expected favorite #14 Gstaad could have a tricky time negotiating a winning trip from post 14, the widest draw since #15 Caro Buono is on the also-eligible list. However, we’ve seen Juvenile Turf winners break from outside posts before, including Henri Matisse (post 12), Oscar Performance (post 13), and Hit It a Bomb (post 14), so it’s not an insurmountable obstacle. Potentially simplifying Gstaad’s path to the winner’s circle is the fact #12 Bottas, a key rival after winning the Pilgrim (G2), has also drawn wide in post 12.

Multiple Group 1 winner #13 Precise was a bit unlucky in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) draw, landing the outside post in a 13-horse field. However, her class may prove sufficient to win the day, much like how fellow Aidan O’Brien trainee Meditate was able to triumph from post 10 in 2022. Precise may be helped if gate-to-wire Miss Grillo (G2) winner #11 Ground Support sprints forward from post 11 and spreads out the field a bit.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) is limited to 12 starters, though 17 have entered. Two of the speediest entrants on paper, #11 Schwarzenegger and #12 Lennilu, have drawn the far outside posts and figure to ensure a blazing tempo. Chevely Park (G1) winner #9 True Love, breaking to their inside, may let the expected leaders sprint by before trying to reel them in through the final quarter-mile. Meanwhile, Middle Park (G1) runner-up Brussels must avoid getting buried in traffic from the rail.