Tipsheet: 2025 Breeders’ Cup Turf

Nine of the 14 horses entered for the lucrative, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar on Saturday are based overseas. The 1 1/2-mile grassy event has produced 10 European winners since 2013, and that trend is likely to continue this season. 

Breeders’ Cup Turf Picks

• #1 Rebel’s Romance
• #8 Minnie Hauk
• #11 Rashabar
• #2 Goliath
• #3 Amiloc

Breeders’ Cup Turf Wagers

• $30 to win on #1 Rebel’s Romance
• $15 Exacta: box 1,8
• 50-cent Trifecta: box 1,2,3,8,11

Breeders’ Cup Turf Contenders

#1 REBEL’S ROMANCE (5-2): Dubawi seven-year-old is an all timer who owns two wins in this race, including a popular victory in 2024. Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, the gelding is a superb 20-for-29 in his career, and the globe trotter has been sharp leading up to Saturday, as well. I’ll tab the superstar who will have regular pilot William Buick in the irons.

#2 GOLIATH (8-1): When this multiple Group 1 hero is on his game, he can be among the best turf performers in training. The five-year-old eclipsed a top-level race at Baden Baden last time out, and he also owns a win over Rebel’s Romance, too.  If the best version of the son of Adlerflug shows up at Del Mar, then he can win this event with Mickael Barzalona on board. 

#3 AMILOC (10-1): Postponed gelding is five-for-six in his career and comes off a runner-up performance in the Irish St. Leger (G1) for Ralph Beckett. The Group 2 winner is proven at the distance, very consistent, and the import is also relatively lightly raced. He is a cut below some of the other imports, but he wouldn’t be a major surprise to me with Rossa Ryan coming in to ride. 

#4 REDISTRICTING (15-1): The Kingman five-year-old has run a pair of good ones since stretching out to marathon trips on the lawn and has some exotics appeal to me at an expected big number. The Chad Brown trainee has the tactical speed to be close early and could be well placed at the head of the stretch beneath Flavien Prat. 

#5 REBEL RED (30-1): Conditioner Cherie Devaux will send out this stakes winner, who doesn’t give me the impression of an upset threat. A good second in the Sword Dancer S. (G1) two prior, the chestnut didn’t show much at Aqueduct most recently and would be a big surprise in this demanding spot. 

#6 WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE (20-1): Group 2 victor picked up a hefty paycheck when annexing the Nashville Derby (G3) at Kentucky Downs in his latest venture. Three-year-old Kameko colt has been consistently quite good in his career, and I could envision him grabbing a minor award with a well-timed ride from Frankie Dettori. 

#7 SILAWI (30-1): Euro-based son of Dubawi made all the running in the Canadian International S. (G1) when holding on late. The bay five-year-old is still just 4-for-26 in his lifetime, and I feel that others make more sense. James Doyle will ride and force the pace early on. 

#8 MINNIE HAUK (8-5): Standout filly from the mighty Aidan O’Brien shedrow was last seen running a fantastic second in the Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp while finishing more than five lengths clear of her nearest pursuer. The brilliant daughter of Frankel is the one to beat and a must-use in all exotic wagers under the guidance of Christophe Soumillon.

#9 GOLD PHOENIX (20-1): Chestnut son of Belardo was a very good fourth in the race in 2024 and continues to fire at age seven for trainer Phil D’Amato. The gelding is five-for-nine at Del Mar with two placings, and he will be doing his best work in the latter stages of the race. A top-four finish is not out of the question with Umberto Rispoli in the irons. 

#10 EL CORDOBES (15-1): Charlie Appleby charge bagged the Sword Dancer S. (G1) in his stateside bow prior to finishing second in the Turf Classic S. (G1) at Aqueduct most recently. The Frankel gelding fits with this field and has to get a look under the guidance of Billy Loughnane. 

#11 RASHABAR (20-1): Trainer Brian Meehan has enjoyed success on multiple occasions in the past in the contest and will saddle this four-year-old. Holy Roman Emperor colt has yet to build on his very promising juvenile campaign this year, but he wouldn’t be in the race if his conditioner didn’t feel that he had a chance at a big result. 

#12 TAWNY PORT (30-1): Commendable six-year-old has very good form coming in and is as durable as they come for Miguel Clement. Kentucky-bred son of Pioneerof the Nile hasn’t won in a long time and faces a tall task on Saturday, but he will put in his customary late run and pass horses under Manny Franco. 

#13 HILL ROAD (30-1): Talented sophomore was a belated third in the Jockey Club Derby (G2) against three-year-olds most recently and will need a huge move forward to be in the mix late on Saturday. The outsider will have David Egan in the stirrups. 

#14 ETHICAL DIAMOND (30-1): Awtaad five-year-old will make his first trek to the U. S. for conditioner William Mullins. The lightly raced five-year-old has never been better, but he lacks the credentials of his fellow European players and would be a surprise to me from the widest post slot in the group.