Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Nevada Beach surprises in Goodwood

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar is 31 days away. Catch up on the latest news and developments with our weekly Breeders’ Cup Roundup:

Nevada Beach upsets Full Serrano in Goodwood

Up-and-coming three-year-old Nevada Beach conquered older rivals in the 1 1/8-mile Goodwood (G1) at Santa Anita to earn an entry into the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Overlooked at 8-1 odds off a win in the Los Alamitos Derby, Nevada Beach rated in fourth place early on, advanced to second before the halfway point, and gradually wore down reigning Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:48.43.

Moving forward, Nevada Beach and Full Serrano will go their separate ways. Nevada Beach is taking aim at the Classic, while Full Serrano will cut back in distance to defend his Dirt Mile title.

Johannes rebounds with City of Hope Mile triumph

Johannes, runner-up in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), stamped his return ticket to Del Mar with a win in the City of Hope Mile (G2) at Santa Anita.

Making only his second start of the season, Johannes rated toward the rear of a five-horse field before overcoming traffic trouble to blaze his final quarter-mile in :22.29 and triumph by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:34.13.

Patriot Spirit earns Sprint berth in Vosburgh

A stakes winner over distances from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, Patriot Spirit used his versatility to nab a career-best win in the seven-furlong Vosburgh (G3) at Aqueduct, in the process earning a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

Patriot Spirit dueled for the lead before edging clear of his rivals in the homestretch to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:21.84.

Imagination upsets Straight No Chaser in Santa Anita Sprint Championship

Reigning Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser started as the 7-10 favorite in the six-furlong Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2), but after setting fractions of :22.02 and :44.71 in his first start since April, he tired to finish third.

In the meantime, Imagination shrugged off an even longer eight-month layoff to claim an automatic berth into the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Last year’s San Felipe (G2) winner rated in fifth place before launching a big late rally to score by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:09.00.

Cavalieri claims Distaff entry with Zenyatta win

Beholder Mile (G1) winner Cavalieri ended a long layoff with a triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Zenyatta (G2) at Santa Anita, bringing her undefeated record to 5-for-5.

Despite hopping at the start and breaking last, Cavalieri recovered to rate within one length of the pace set by her stablemate Richi. Down the homestretch. Cavalieri took over and edged clear to triumph by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:42.64. She now owns an entry into the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Rebel’s Romance preps for Turf with easy Joe Hirsch win

Two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Rebel’s Romance prepared for his return to the Breeders’ Cup with a flashy win in the 1 1/2-mile Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Aqueduct.

Continuing another strong season, the seven-year-old veteran carved out much of the Joe Hirsch pace before kicking away to a 3 1/2-length win in 2:25.72.

Keeneland opens with eight qualifiers

The first three days of the prestigious Keeneland fall meet include eight stakes, awarding Win and You’re In berths to the Breeders’ Cup:

• The action starts with three qualifiers on Friday. One is the Alcibiades (G1), which awards a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The prospective field includes Tommy Jo, winner of the Spinaway (G1).
• The Phoenix (G2) is a stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Nakatomi, the third-place finisher from the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, is an expected starter.
• A Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) berth is on the line in the Jessamine (G2). Runaway P. G. Johnson S. winner Time to Dream is one of many slated to enter.
• Saturday’s card features three more qualifiers, including the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) prep. Dominant Hopeful (G1) winner Ted Noffey is projected to battle with Iroquois (G3) conqueror Spice Runner and others.

• The Turf Mile (G1) awards an entry into the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Mountain Bear, runner-up in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), will likely face a field including Diego Velazquez, fresh off a win in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1).
• Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) contenders will face off in the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2). Defending winner Zeitlos and 2024 Derby City Distaff (G1) conqueror Vahva are among the expected starters.
• The action continues with two Sunday qualifiers. In the Spinster (G1), a Breeders’ Cup Distaff stepping stone, reigning Distaff heroine Thorpedo Anna will seek the eighth Grade 1 win of her career.
• The Bourbon (G2) awards a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. With Anticipation (G3) winner Final Score is one of many expected to enter.

Juveniles take center stage in four Aqueduct qualifiers

Talented two-year-olds will earn their way to the Breeders’ Cup via a quartet of qualifiers at Aqueduct:

• On Friday, 11 juveniles will take aim at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf by contesting the Pilgrim (G2). Flashy maiden winners Bottas and Repentless will meet With Anticipation runner-up Heeere’s Johnny, among others.
• Also on Friday, the Futurity (G3) awards an entry into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). Runaway Saratoga maiden winner Belgian will meet Prix Morny (G1) fourth-place finisher Outfielder and six others.
• On Saturday, the Champagne (G1) awards the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. It’s Our Time, who smashed his debut at Saratoga by 17 3/4 lengths, leads a nine-horse field.
• The Saturday card also includes the Miss Grillo (G2), a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf prep. An overflow field of 14 has entered, including Untapable S. winner Quiet Street and Natalma (G1) fifth-place finisher Deep Learning.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe leads six qualifiers in France

On Sunday, ParisLongchamp in France is hosting half a dozen Breeders’ Cup qualifiers:

• The prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) leads the action and awards a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Early betting favors two fillies: Minnie Hauk, winner of the Epsom Oaks (G1), Irish Oaks (G1), and Yorkshire Oaks (G1), and Aventure, fresh off a win in the Prix Vermeille (G1).
• A Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) entry is on the line in the Prix de l’Opera (G1).
• The Prix de la Foret (G1) awards the winner a Breeders’ Cup Mile slot.
• Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) contenders will take center stage in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1).
• The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf will pick up an automatic qualifier in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1).
• The Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) serves as a stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Qualifiers

The following horses have secured Win and You’re In berths to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series:

Breeders’ Cup Classic

Antiquarian
Costa Nova
Fierceness
Forever Young
Journalism
Hit Show
Mindframe
Nevada Beach
Ombudsman
Sierra Leone

Breeders’ Cup Turf

Calandagan
Danon Decile
Delacroix
El Cordobes
Gold Phoenix
Intense for Me
Meisho Tabaru
Ole Crazy Bone
Ombudsman
Sinsel

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Cavalieri
Dorth Vader
Sarawak Rim
Seismic Beauty
Thorpedo Anna

Breeders’ Cup Mile

Deterministic
Docklands
Gran Oriente
Jantar Mantar
Johannes
Notable Speech
One Stripe
Qirat
Soul Rush

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Dark Saffron
Imagination
Lovesick Blues
Patriot Spirit
Self Improvement
Straight No Chaser

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Book’em Danno
Diktaean
Dr. Venkman
Raging Torrent 
Touch of Destiny

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Ascoli Piceno
Bellezza
Double Grand Slam
Fallen Angel
La Kika
Minnie Hauk
She Feels Pretty
Whirl

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

Haulin Ice
Hope Road

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Ag Bullet
American Affair
Arizona Blaze
Asfoora
Bear River
Motorious

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Tommy Jo

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

Argos
Benvenuto Cellini
Gewan

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Corsia Veloce
Precise

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

Charles Darwin
Lady Iman