With most eyes on the classic event, many ignore the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile odds that offer excellent value at Del Mar this weekend! We are taking a deep dive into the latest prices to win this $2 million race on the second day of the Breeders’ Cup.
There are several high-profile races on the Breeders’ Cup card, with the Mile one of the marquee events. It’s a stacked field that should be an entertaining watch, and hopefully a profitable one for handicappers.
Let’s delve into the latest Breeders’ Cup Mile odds before I share my prediction and best bet!
2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile Betting Odds
The Breeders’ Cup Mile 2024 odds are courtesy of Bovada:
| HORSE | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Porta Fortuna | +300 |
| Notable Speech | +350 |
| Ramatuelle | +475 |
| Carl Spackler | +700 |
| Diego Velaquez | +1000 |
| Gina Romantica | +1200 |
| Johannes | +1200 |
| More Than Looks | +1200 |
| Chili Flag | +1600 |
| Geoglyph | +2000 |
| Ten Happy Rose | +2000 |
British Hall of Fame trainer Aidan O’Brien’s son, Donnacha, has the favorite to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The O’Brien dynasty has brought over several horses from Europe, including Porta Fortuna to compete at Del Mar.
According to horse racing betting sites, Porta Fortuna (+300) has a 25% implied chance to win the Mile. Another well-known British turf trainer, Charlie Appleby, has the second favorite at +350 odds. Will one of the top-class British runners capture the top prize, or is an upset brewing?
You can find up-to-date Breeders’ Cup Mile 2024 betting odds at Bovada by navigating to All Sports > Horse Futures & Props > 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Breeders’ Cup Mile 2024 Post Positions
The Breeders’ Cup Mile draw was announced on Monday, October 28. Let’s take a look at where the field of what is currently 12 horses drew for the $2 million Mile on the turf:
- Ramatuelle
- Chili Flag
- Geoglyph
- Diego Velasquez
- Goliad
- Notable Speech
- Porta Fortuna
- More Than Looks
- Johannes
- Win For The Money
- Ten Happy Rose
- Carl Spackler
Breeders’ Cup Mile 2024 Favorites
The best turf runner in the world will not be participating in the Mile. Instead, O’Brien pointed City Of Troy to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Even then, there are some elite runners in this field.
Before getting into my best Breeders’ Cup Mile predictions, let’s evaluate the top favorites:
Porta Fortuna (+300)
The O’Brien clan has many of the top horses at Del Mar this weekend for the Breeders’ Cup. One of those is Porta Fortuna who is looking for a successful second run in the United States.
Porta Fortuna has cleaned up against the competition in the UK. The Irish-bred is a winner in three consecutive events entering Del Mar. The talented filly will take on the boys with plenty of confidence behind her.
She is coming off a win at Leopardstown in the Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes (Gr. 1) on September 14. This was the fourth Grade 1 win for Porta Fortuna in her superstar career. Overall, Porta Fortuna heads to California with seven wins in 11 career assignments.
"She's got that speed!" @TomMarquand is counting down the days until he's reunited with Porta Fortuna at the @BreedersCup… pic.twitter.com/uuxGpozWT5
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 26, 2024
In her debut trip in the US, Porta Fortuna finished 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She reached a speed figure of 100 but couldn’t overcome Hard to Justify by a head. Porta Fortuna returns with some unfinished business and has to be considered to win the Breeders’ Cup 2024.
Notable Speech (+350)
Porta Fortuna’s top competition is going to be Notable Speech. In a battle between elite Euro trainers, Charlie Appleby will challenge O’Brien with the best colt in the field.
Notable Speech has won five of seven races in his career, including the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (Gr. 1) and Sussex Stakes (Gr. 1) in 2024. These were some incredibly tough fields, but Notable Speech made it look easy.
The horse is coming off a disappointing showing with a 5th-place finish in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr. 1) last month. While that was not what Appleby had in mind, Notable Speech had a lot more to give.
Charlie Appleby outlines his healthy team for Del Mar @BreedersCup 2024
Notable Speech, Rebel’s Romance, Cinderella’s Dream, Al Qudra, Amori City & Star Of Mystery are all heading out in 3 weeks @FanDuel_Racing ✨ pic.twitter.com/o2z1A1gv77
— Jess Stafford (@jess_stafford_) October 12, 2024
This is a race that Appleby has dominated recently. He has won the last three Breeders’ Cup Mile and is confident in Notable Speech’s ability to get this trip down. With veteran William Buick aboard, Notable Speech has the perfect jockey to navigate this race
All of he horse’s most recent workouts have been held in high regard. He appears more composed and focused than the miss in the Prix de Moulin de Longchamp. Additionally, the competition should be a bit easier than he saw in that event.
I’m high on the three-year-old, so Notable Speech is on my shortlist to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Ramatuelle (+475)
Chr Head’s Ramatuelle gets a favorable draw on the inside rail for the Mile. Ramatuelle will look to put together another competitive run — something this filly is familiar with in her career.
Another girl taking on the boys, Ramatuelle has finished in the top 3 in all nine races in her career. She is a winner in four events overall and one Grade 1 victory.
"I am very confident!"@lemaitre60LA and Ramatuelle carry the hopes of France in the @BreedersCup Mile this weekend… pic.twitter.com/N2iojSUunC
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 28, 2024
In Ramatuelle’s latest effort, she cleared for a big winning trip in the Qatar Prix de la Forest (Gr. 1). Ramatuelle had failed in her previous three Grade 1 events, but finally came through right in time before the Mile.
If Ramatuelle can duplicate that performance, she’s going to be close at the wire. However, a little more will be required to bypass Notable Speech and Porta Fortuna!
Top Sleepers for the Breeders’ Cup Mile 2024
We recommend locking in a couple of longshot bets for your 2024 Breeders’ Cup best bets in the Mile on Saturday! The Mile is a competitive field, so adding a couple of sleepers to your horse racing betting strategy is highly advised.
Diego Velazquez (+1000)
For my first longshot, Diego Velazquez is worth strong consideration at +1000 odds on a win bet. Diego Velazquez will look to make it a hat-trick with three consecutive victories in the Mile.
He is coming off wins in the Meld Stakes (Gr. 3) and Solonaway Stakes (Gr. 2). While the competition is going to stiffen up in the Mile, if Diego Velazquez gets a similar trip, he will be one of the most competitive runners in the field.
This is nearly a $3 million colt and was purchased to win these types of races for O’Brien. Although I have my doubts about O’Brien winning the Classic, he can most certainly win on longshot Diego Velazquez at +1000!
Johannes (+1200)
Sired by Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Johannes is one of the few American-bred runners in the Mile. It’s a field dominated by the European runners, but Johannes should have a chance to pull off the upset.
With seven wins in 11 assignments, Johannes is familiar with the winner’s circle. Johannes is currently on a four-race winning streak. His most notable win is a big run in the Shoemaker Miles Stakes (Gr. 1) at Santa Anita Park in May.
Following the Shoemaker, Johannes followed up with wins in the Eddie Read Stakes (Gr. 2) and City of Hope Mile Stakes (Gr. 2). Johannes has posted a speed figure of 100+ in six straight races entering Del Mar! At +1200, this is a solid longshot bet for your Breeders’ Cup Mile picks.
Breeders’ Cup Mile 2024 Predictions and Betting Pick
For my top Breeders’ Cup Mile pick, Notable Speech is the horse to ride with to win the event. The way I see it, he should be the favorite to win this race over Porta Fortuna.
While Porta Fortuna is a tough foe, expect her to come just shy against the colt. Notable Speech didn’t have a strong performance in his latest start, but I am looking for much more from him in the Mile against beatable competition.
Despite finishing 5th in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, Notable Speech should come back strong in the Mile. He showed his worth with an impressive effort a race earlier in the Sussex Stakes (Gr. 1), and he’s in similar form in workouts at the moment.
With this in mind, consider Notable Speech for your top Breeders’ Cup Mile bet!
