The 2024 Breeders’ Cup odds suggest a competitive weekend of horse racing, with the best thoroughbreds converging at Del Mar Raceway in California.
The crown jewel of the Breeders’ Cup is the Breeders’ Cup Classic. With a purse of $7 million, this is the most lucrative horse race in North America! Before we delve into the latest futures odds to win, and my Breeders Cup predictions for the Classic, you should know we also cover the Breeders Cup Mile odds.
If you prefer a video format, check out my thoughts in this video:
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Outright Winner Odds
The latest odds for the Breeders’ Cup Classic are courtesy of Bovada:
| HORSE | ODDS |
|---|---|
| City Of Troy | +185 |
| Fierceness | +450 |
| Forever Young | +450 |
| Sierra Leone | +800 |
| Highland Falls | +1400 |
| Ushba Tesoro | +1400 |
| Arthur’s Ride | +1600 |
| Muth | +1600 |
| Newgate | +2000 |
| Next | +2000 |
Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy (+200) is the betting favorite to win the 2024 Breeders’ Cup. As a +185 favorite in the futures markets, City Of Troy has a 35.1% chance to win. City Of Troy’s odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic dropped slightly from +200 to +185 after the post positions were announced. The horse has dominated the field in the UK, but can he do the same at Del Mar?
According to the best horse racing betting sites, Fierceness and Forever Young have the second-shortest price to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic at +450. Todd Pletcher’s colt is in strong form right now, so we’ll see if Fierceness can hold strong in the stretch.
Japan’s Forever Young (+500) has also looked sharp heading into Del Mar. If you add the long shots, this should be an interesting race with several potential winners!
You can find up-to-date Breeders’ Cup Classic odds at Bovada by navigating to Horses > Breeders’ Cup Futures > Breeders’ Cup Classic. The sportsbook also offers lines on other races from the event, including Sprint, Mile, Turf, and more.
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Post Positions
The post positions for the Breeders’ Cup Classic were recently announced for Saturday at Del Mar. Where will your favorite horse open in the starting gate? Check out the Breeders’ Cup Classic draw below:
- Forever Young
- Highland Falls
- City Of Troy
- Mixto
- Senor Buscador
- Derma Sotogate
- Ushba Tesoro
- Pyrenees
- Fierceness
- Tapit Trice
- Sierra Leone
- Arthur’s Ride
- Newgate
14. Next
Breeders’ Cup Classic 2024 Favorites
There are top-tier European, Japanese, and American horses involved in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It’s truly an international battle for the top prize at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Let’s dive into the top favorites to win on Saturday, November 2:
City Of Troy (+185)
O’Brien brings a world-class turf runner to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. There was widespread speculation whether this horse would run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf or Classic.
City Of Troy will be making his debut on a dirt track at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. We are well aware of how strong City Of Troy is on the turf, but it’s time to see if the horse can compete on dirt.
City of Troy is ready to make waves at the #BreedersCup Classic! 🏇💥 pic.twitter.com/SArpz2ftf9
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) October 23, 2024
On top of that, this is the first race that City Of Troy has run outside of Europe. He has won six of seven events and is on a three-race win streak.
In his latest assignment, City Of Troy impressed on the turf in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Gr. 1) on August 21. We can talk about all of City Of Troy’s amazing accomplishments, but Del Mar on the dirt is nothing he has experienced before.
O’Brien has boasted about how special a horse City Of Troy is on the track. However, he has a habit of doing this about all of his top runners every year. They tend to fall well below the hype.
Being sired by Justify with a strong pedigree gives City Of Troy some respect, but I want better than +185 or +200 Breeders’ Cup 2024 odds on him to win the Classic. The No. 3 post position draw helped push City Of Troy’s price down to +175, but in a 1 ¼ mile race, I don’t see this being a notable advantage.
While City Of Troy is the best horse in the world on the turf, there isn’t any betting value on O’Brien’s colt at +200 odds!
Fierceness (+450)
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher takes aim at the second win of his career in the Classic. After the 2019 title with Vino Rosso, Pletcher has a horse in his stable that could win his second in five years.
Fierceness is the American’s best chance for a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. According to the latest odds for the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, Fierceness is sandwiched between the UK-based City Of Troy and Japan’s Forever Young. Pletcher has Fierceness running in peak form at the right time entering Del Mar.
The three-year-old colt has bounced back resoundingly after a disappointing 15th-place showing in the Kentucky Derby. He’s running like the best horse in the US with wins in the Jim Dandy Stakes (Gr. 2) and Travers Stakes (Gr. 1). Fierceness’ speed figure improved from 108 to 110 in those two races.
The horse ran a 77-speed figure in the Kentucky Derby after failing to find a clear lane. However, with Fierceness running a clean trip in the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes, he was able to showcase what he’s capable of in the right conditions.
Fierceness drew the No. 9 post position, which could have been better, but it’s not the end of the world and the horse is still a favorite.
Pletcher’s trainee showed significant improvement over the last few months. Per his latest workouts, Fierceness appears to be gaining even more ground. With proven results on the dirt, this is a horse worth keeping on your shortlist for a win bet!
Forever Young (+450)
Japan is putting high expectations on Forever Young in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic. There are three Japanese horses entered into the Classic, with Forever Young the best chance to run for glory at Del Mar.
The horse returns to the US after a strong performance in the Kentucky Derby. He showed 3rd with a solid speed figure of 110 in a top effort in his first race on American soil. After returning home, Forever Young captured the Japan Dirt Classic to get back in the win column.
Yoshito Tahagi’s Forever Young has won six of seven events in his career. The only loss was in the Kentucky Derby. That was a tough field and he ran pretty well, so you have to expect Forever Young to be in the mix in the stretch run.
From Japan ✈️ to @delmarracing 🌴
Forever Young returns stateside for a chance at glory in the 2024 Longines #BreedersCup Classic. #フォーエバーヤング pic.twitter.com/5uYFXsutIq
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) October 25, 2024
If he can break well out of the gate, Forever Young will have a chance. He will start from the inside on the rail with the No. 1 post position. This does afford Forever Young an advantage if he breaks well out of the gate. The No. 1 draw sent Forever Young’s Breeders’ Cup Classic odds falling slightly from +500 to +450!
No Japanese horse has won the Kentucky Derby or Classic, but Forever Young has a decent chance of breaking through and delivering for Japan.
Top Sleeper Picks for the Breeders’ Cup Classic 2024
We recommend including a couple of longshot bets for your 2024 Breeders’ Cup best bets in the Classic! It should be a wide-open event, so adding a couple of sleepers to your horse racing betting strategy is highly advised.
Arthur’s Ride (+1600)
The best longshot for your Breeders’ Cup picks has to be on William Mott’s Arthur’s Ride. He has recorded speed figures of 115, 115, and 100 in his previous three races!
If Arthur’s Ride can get back to running a 115 for the Classic, he’s going to be right there at the wire. Despite coming up short in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (Gr. 1) at Saratoga, Arthur’s Ride was fast against a tough field.
He was also bumped early in the race by a foe, which disrupted his full potential. There were some fatigue issues, too, but he’s well-rested for this weekend. Arthur’s Ride has to be included in your 2024 Breeders’ Cup best bets to win!
Also, consider Arthur’s Ride on a show bet, which should also garner a nice payout to finish in the top 3 at online betting sites.
Newgate (+2000)
Bob Baffert is never one to ignore in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Baffert has won this race four times — most recently in 2020 with Authentic! This is the most wins for any trainer in Breeders’ Cup Classic history.
Although Newgate is a +2000 underdog, I have him at +800 to win at Del Mar. Newgate has three wins in 11 assignments in his career. This isn’t the strongest winning percentage, but he has displayed too-end ability at times.
Newgate posted an insane speed figure in his latest effort in the California Crown Stakes (Gr. 1). He was clocked at 122, only to lose by a nose and head at the wire. It was a fast-paced race and Newgate was able to bring it down to a photo finish.
It was the seventh consecutive race Newgate has clocked a speed rating over 100. The horse is coming off two solid workouts, with times of 1:00.00 and 59.20 seconds covering five furlongs. For my Breeders’ Cup predictions, Newgate is worth a strong look at +2000!
Breeders' Cup Classic 2024 Predictions and Betting Pick
There are several horses in the 2024 Classic that I believe have already peaked. That list does include Fierceness whose form is on the upswing. He looked great in the Jim Dandy Stakes, and then returned to shine in the Travers Stakes a month later in August.
All indications point to Fierceness getting even stronger from his Travers Stakes trip. That was not a perfectly executed run, but Fierceness has an opportunity to be nearly perfect in the Breeders’ Cup Classic if everything comes together for him.
Pletcher is likely to have this horse in prime condition at the right time for Del Mar on November 2. In the Kentucky Derby, Fierceness drew a tough post position in 17. He never found traction and got lost in traffic. It was more of a fluke than a true example of his talent.
After that disappointing run, expect Fierceness’ connections to get the last laugh in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. For your Breeders’ Cup best bets, consider Fierceness at a generous price of +450!
Where to Bet on the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Online?
Odds for the Breeders’ Cup are available at a variety of offshore sportsbooks. We suggest registering at a reputable betting site to make your 2024 Breeders’ Cup picks.
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