2025 Breeders’ Cup: Under-the-radar contenders on Saturday

If you’re looking for live longshots to bet across the nine championship races on Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Del Mar, we’re here to help.

In a pair of stories highlighting under-the-radar contenders at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, we highlighted winning longshots Citizen Bull (15-1), Soul of an Angel (19-1), and More Than Looks (6-1) as horses worth betting.

Longshots could have a trickier time prevailing at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, since many of the races feature strong favorites. But even a top-three finish from a double-digit longshot can produce big payoffs in exotic bets, so with this in mind, here are three price horses we recommend playing on Breeders’ Cup Saturday:

Race 7: Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1): #6 Alice Verite

Many of the contenders in the Distaff have struggled with consistency and haven’t been running especially fast. A double-digit longshot could easily finish in the top three, so why not give #6 Alice Verite (20-1) a look?

Alice Verite has spent the vast majority of her career competing on turf in Japan. However, she wasn’t disgraced when trying dirt in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Sent off at 18-1, Alice Verite ran evenly from off the pace to finish fourth behind 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.

A fifth-place finish (beaten only 1 1/4 lengths) in Japan’s Victoria Mile (G1) this year suggests Alice Verite remains in similar form to last year. Don’t leave her off your tickets.

Race 9: Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1): #9 Journalism

Classic favorite #6 Sovereignty (6-5) has developed into a beast with consecutive wins in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont (G1), Jim Dandy (G2), and Travers (G1). If he’s a clear-cut choice to defeat older rivals in the Classic, then his main three-year-old rival #9 Journalism (10-1) is arguably overpriced at 10-1.

Journalism couldn’t quite keep pace with Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont, finishing second each time. But in between, he overcame serious traffic trouble and bumping to win the Preakness (G1). His post-Triple Crown exploits include a win in the Haskell (G1) and a fine second against older horses in the Pacific Classic (G1).

Toward the end of his busy spring/summer campaign, Journalism had lost some of his tactical speed. Perhaps freshening up since the Pacific Classic will help him recapture his best form. He might not turn the tables on Sovereignty, but a top-three finish at double-digit odds isn’t an unrealistic expectation.

Race 10: Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1): #10 Jonquil

#10 Jonquil (10-1) has shown strong form competing over one mile in Europe. He was beaten only a head in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1) by 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Henri Matisse, and during the summer, he conquered older rivals in the Celebration Mile (G2).

Jonquil’s first stateside start yielded a fourth-place finish in the Oct. 4 Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland. Breaking from post 11, he raced wide throughout and dropped a dozen lengths behind the pace in a spread-out field. Despite covering significantly more ground than the top three finishers, Jonquil rallied late to finish only 1 1/2 lengths away from victory.

If Jonquil can work out a better trip in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, he can move forward and surprise with an upset win.

Good luck!