Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks —Betting Preview and Predictions (Nov 1)

A superstar field is set to go to post to compete in this year’s edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Triple Crown race winners Journalism and Sovereignty will both collide with their elders, including the reigning champion Sierra Leone. You can find the odds and our Breeders’ Cup Classic picks here.

Odds

Breeders’ Cup Classic Recent Winners

Breeders’ Cup Classic: Event Information

Race Preview

A Classic for the ages is set for Del Mar this year, as previous Grade One winners dominate the field for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Nine of the last 26 winners of the race have been three-year-olds, meaning that Sovereignty is a rightful favorite at the top of the betting.

The William Mott runner has been the dominant runner in his division throughout the season, landing the Kentucky Derby in May, before later adding further graded prizes in the forms of the G1 Belmont Stakes, G2 Jim Dandy, and G1 Travers. Ticks almost every box.

The older horses will likely be overlooked by many for the Classic this year. However, Fierceness and Sierra Leone still appear talented enough to play a leading role. The former for Todd Pletcher was second in the 2024 Classic, but looked better than ever when landing the G1 Pacific Classic in late August.

Sierra Leone deserves huge respect as the reigning champion, and his win in the G1 Whitney indicates that he has trained on at the highest level. Was second on his final prep start when denied by Antiquarian in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, but that should put him right for his attempt at history.

Forever Young could arguably be the forgotten runner in the field after finishing third in the Classic 12 months ago. The Japanese raider has already landed the G1 Saudi Cup in 2025, and he returns from a layoff at Del Mar; just as he did in 2024.

Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks

I’m a huge fan of Journalism, and he has little to find on Sovereignty on their best form this season, including when second in both the Derby and Belmont.

Since then, he was a battling winner of the G1 Haskell and was given far too much to do by Umberto Rispoli when third behind Fierceness in the G1 Pacific Classic.

The change in rider could be huge to his chances of reversing the form against his long-time rival. Sierra Leone looks a standout play for Exotics, while Fierceness could once again showcase his Del Mar form by claiming a top-three finish.