How to bet the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

An excellent field of 10 will jaunt eight panels on the Del Mar main strip in Saturday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

I’ve long thought that #3 Nysos (8-5) was the ideal one-mile, two-turn horse that could be in training, so I have to give him top billing at short odds despite the abundance of quality in this contest.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Wagers

• $1 Superfecta: 3 with 2,10 with 2,4,6,10 with ALL ($42)
• 50-cent Superfecta: key 3 with 2,4,6,10 ($12)

Trained by Bob Baffert, Nysos is a head shy of being unbeaten from six career runs to date. The four-year-old colt was last seen dominating the San Diego H. (G2) on the Del Mar surface at 1 1/16 miles while registering a 104 Brisnet Speed rating and 100 Late Pace rating. 

His five wins are by a combined 34 1/2 lengths, and the $550,000 purchase is also two-for-two on the local surface in advance of Saturday. Nysos has been training in rapid fashion leading up to the race and was a daylight winner in his lone attempt at eight furlongs in advance of this stiff test. Flavien Prat will ride the uber-talented bay. 

Baffert’s #2 Goal Oriented (6-1) is another that seems perfectly suited to the one-mile distance, in my opinion. The three-year-old son of Not This Time has come up short in the Grade 1 ranks in his last trio of runs, but he is full of class and ability and might shine on the cut back in trip on this occasion. The dark bay Kentucky-bred shows a pair of swift morning moves leading up to the race and will have Luis Saez in the stirrups. 

2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner #10 White Abarrio (8-1) might not be the most dependable horse in training, but the multiple Grade 1 star and $7 million earner can’t be dismissed with Irad in the silks. The Kentucky-bred son of Race Day has been running with some fantastic horses this campaign and can deliver some huge results on his best day. The gray has posted a bevy of rapid morning works as of late, and he figures to sit a really good trip on the outside while stalking a contested early tempo. 

Defending champ #6 Full Serrano (7-2) faces a more difficult assignment this campaign, but he wouldn't be a major surprise for John Sadler. The Argentine loves Del Mar and will relish the cut back in distance after finishing a clear second in the Goodwood S. (G1) at Santa Anita at 1 1/8 miles last time out. If he can avoid a pace duel, then his chances improve with Rosario taking the reins. 

2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) star #4 Mystik Dan (6-1) seems to be well placed at one mile in this spot after bagging the Lukas Classic S. (G2) at Churchill Downs in his latest showing. The Goldencents colt would likely be in deep in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but he is a fine fit against this group at the trip for Kenny McPeek. Francisco Arrieta retains the mount.