Playing the 2025 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge on TwinSpires

The official betting tournament of the Breeders' Cup World Championships can be played on TwinSpires!

It’s not only the horses seeking a championship victory at Del Mar this weekend; bettors will be seeking their own title.

The Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge has been a highlight of the year for major players since 2009. Punters put up $10,000 and have $7,500 of that to bet with over the two days of the tournament. 

In addition to keeping their winnings, the winner also earns more than 28% of the total prize pool. Last year’s winner, North Dakota bar owner Steven Wells, beat 584 other contestants and earned a first prize of $421,200 on top of his betting earnings of $152,000.

Contestants can earn their money across all 22 races on the two Breeders’ Cup days. They can make win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and daily double wagers only. The top 15 finishers also earn a spot in the National Horseplayers Championship.

Bettors must wager a minimum of $7,500 over the two days, including bets of at least $600 on three of the five Breeders’ Cup races on Future Stars Friday, and bets of at least $600 on at least seven of the nine Breeders’ Cup races on Championship Saturday.

Now that the post position draw has concluded, let’s analyze some key points to look for in the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge.

1. The key race is ultimately the final one

This year, it’s the Filly and Mare Turf, and with potential short-priced favorite Minnie Hauk directed to the Turf instead, this has a very open look to it. Gezora is as long as 7-2 as the morning-line favorite, and five of the full field of 14 are at single-figure odds. There are potentially large collects to be made off this race; the most important thing for this competition going into this race is to still be in with a chance.

2. Don’t ignore the non-Breeders’ Cup races

Though it’s not compulsory to bet on them, the eight non-Breeders’ Cup races are all in play for this event, so there’s potential to get a jump on the competition by scoring some wins in these races.

3. A few potential bankers became non-bankers with the draw

One of the best ways to make serious money is through exactas and trifectas by focusing on a horse that looks very likely to win. However, likely hotshots for the Juvenile Fillies Turf (Precise) and the Juvenile Turf (Gstaad) both had their chances impacted by the extreme outside draw. In contrast, inside draws may not help dual winner Rebel’s Romance in the Turf and Nitrogen in the Distaff. The one advantage for players is that they may start at slightly better odds.

4. There’s a notable change for the leading Breeders’ Cup trainer

Aidan O’Brien is the joint-most successful Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer with 20 wins and has won 25 Group 1 races this year. But his key raceday partner, jockey Ryan Moore, is injured and won’t be present. Moore’s replacements, Christophe Soumillon and Wayne Lordan, are high-quality jockeys, but they don’t have the same experience on tight U.S. turf tracks as Moore. It may not make a difference, but there is a chance they could take a race or two to adjust fully.

5. Study more than just the form of foreign horses

Foreign horses have a great record in Breeders’ Cup turf races in particular, but it isn’t always the biggest names that succeed. There are some important things to look at: is this their main target or an afterthought? Does their trainer or jockey have a strong Breeders’ Cup history? And have they shown the ability to deal with traffic issues they are likely to face on a U.S. turf course?

6. Statistics are meaningful

Study the records at Del Mar of jockeys and trainers, as well as barrier success and racing pattern statistics for the turf and dirt courses. For example, records suggest it’s harder to win on turf when racing on the speed in races over a mile and greater than it is in shorter turf races.

7. Stick with punting strategies that work for you

Unless you’ve done a stack of research that clearly suggests a change in strategy is worthwhile, your best chance of profitability will come by following betting patterns that have succeeded for you in the past.

Entries to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge can be made on the TwinSpires website here. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 31, at 2:30 pm ET. Good luck!