2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Predictions

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The Breeders’ Cup Classic is one of the most highly-anticipated events of the racing season. The 2024 race features a talented lineup of horses vying for victory. The Breeders’ Cup Classic brings together the top thoroughbreds from around the world, competing for not only a lucrative purse but also for a prestigious spot in racing history. This year’s race will be no exception, with well-known horses like City of Troy, Fierceness, and Forever Young emerging as early betting favorites.

Below, I’ll take a deeper dive into the 2024 Breeders’ Cup odds and post positions for the primary contenders. I’ll break down their strengths, recent performances, and what makes each of them a formidable competitor in this race.

I’ll conclude by giving you my best bet to win this year’s Breeders’ Cup, which will go down at Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego on Saturday, November 2nd.

2024 Breeders’ Cup Odds

2024 Breeders’ Cup Picks

The following is our break down of the field and which horses that we believe have a realistic shot at winning the 2024 Breeders’ Cup:

City of Troy (+250)

As the favorite for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, City of Troy comes into the race with momentum and an impressive track record that justifies his +250 odds. City of Troy has excelled in both short and long distances, which will make him adaptable to the unique demands of this race. His recent performances have shown his ability to control the pace of the race, often pushing to the front early and maintaining his lead through the stretch, which could be a valuable tactic on race day.

It’s hard to argue with the 3-year-old’s track record. City of Troy enters the Breeders’ Cup as the winner of each of his last 3 races – the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Coral-Eclipse, and the Epsom Derby. Before settling for a disappointing 9th-place finish at the English 2000 Guineas, City of Troy also picked up wins late last year at the Dewhurst Stakes, the Superlative Stakes, and Maiden.

City of Troy’s connections have also invested heavily in his preparation, ensuring he’s well-conditioned and race-ready for this high-stakes event. This thoroughbred is trained by Aidan O’Brien, whose experience in the Breeders’ Cup adds to the horse’s advantage.

Given his post position at 3, City of Troy will have a strategic advantage by starting near the inner rail, which could help him establish an early lead. Despite these challenges, City of Troy’s skill, training, and favorable odds make him a legit frontrunner, and he’s rightfully the current favorite for the Classic.

Fierceness (+300)

Another recognizable name with odds of +300, Fierceness has captured the attention of fans with his resilience and stamina. This horse is known for his powerful late speed, making him a threat in the final furlongs at Del Mar. Fierceness is particularly dangerous in longer races, where his ability to close the gap in the final stretch gives him a tactical edge over horses that may start strong but lack endurance.

The Breeders’ Cup often draws comparisons to the Kentucky Derby. If this race looks like the 2024 Derby, though, Fierceness will have a tough time. He finished an extremely disappointing 15th at Churchill Downs despite entering that event as one of the betting favorites. He’s bounced back in 2 races since then, however, taking 1st-place finishes at the Jim Dandy in July and the Travers Stakes in August.

Fierceness’s recent performances have been impressive. His training team has also emphasized endurance in his regimen, which could prepare him to handle the long and challenging Breeders’ Cup course. However, he’ll be starting from post position 9, which places him farther from the rail and may require a burst of speed early on to get into a more favorable spot. This positioning could present a setback, but it’s nothing Fierceness hasn’t overcome in previous races.

Ultimately, Fierceness’s late speed and stamina make him a compelling bet, especially if he can stay close to the leaders in the early stages. This is a horse that typically likes to run from ahead, though, so the post position could be a problem. With odds at +300, he’s worth a flier given his pedigree with an experienced jockey – John Velazquez – leading the way.

Forever Young (+600)

At +600, Forever Young brings a combo of speed and agility that could make him a surprise winner on race day. The 3-year-old has performed well across a variety of distances, which is typically a harbinger of success. His tactical flexibility could be particularly useful in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, where race conditions can be unpredictable, and adjustments are often needed mid-race.

Forever Young hails from Japan and trainer Yoshito Yahagi. He’s enjoyed quite a bit of success at a variety of international races, including the Saudi Derby, UAE Derby, and Japan Dirt Classic earlier this year. Most impressively, Forever Young finished 3rd at the Kentucky Derby back in May behind Mystik Dan and another horse in this competition, Sierra Leone.

Starting from post position 1, Forever Young has a significant advantage with the inside rail, which could help him conserve energy by covering less ground in the early stages. However, he’ll need to avoid getting boxed in by faster starters, as this could limit his ability to position himself for a strong finish.

Although Forever Young is not the solo favorite, his favorable post position and adaptable style make him a horse to watch. At +600, he offers stellar profit potential if he can use that post position to his advantage.

Next (+800)

At +800, Next is another interesting contender in this year’s Breeders’ Cup field. Next may not have the explosive speed of horses like City of Troy or Fierceness, but he has proven to be highly reliable over long distances. This could be advantageous in a grueling race like the Breeders’ Cup Classic, where maintaining a steady rhythm is often more valuable than an early burst.

One potential disadvantage is that Next is twice as old as most other horses in the field. While age brings experience, it can also be a detriment in such a competitive environment. Next has quite a few races under his belt, but he’s out to prove that age is little more than a number. This Kentucky-based thoroughbred has won each of his last 7 races, including the Greenwood Cup, Birdstone, Brooklyn, and Isaac Murphy Marathon since the calendar flipped to 2024.

Starting from post position 14, Next is at a slight disadvantage due to his position on the outer edge. This means he’ll need to cover more ground than other horses, potentially draining his stamina in the process. However, if he can conserve energy in the early stages, Next has the potential to challenge the front-runners toward the end.

Next presents a solid mid-range option at his semi-long odds. He’s not a frontrunner, but with the right strategy, he could surprise the field with a strong finish.

Ushba Tesoro (+1200)

Ushba Tesoro is considered more of an outsider at +1200 to win the Breeders’ Cup. Like Next, Ushba Tesoro is old at the age of 7. This horse is well-suited to handle the demanding pace of this race, however. His performances have been somewhat inconsistent, but he has shown the ability to surprise in high-stakes settings when everything falls into place.

Ushba Tesoro took 2nd place at each of his most recent events at the Dubai World Cup and Saudi Cup. Before that, he won the Tokyo Daishoten last December. Ushba Tesoro also took a 5th-place finish at last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, which was one by White Abarrio at Santa Anita Park.

Starting from post position 7, Ushba Tesoro is in a decent spot to make an early move if the pace allows. He may not have the same level of training investment as some of the other frontrunners, but his natural talent and speed can’t be ignored. If he can find a comfortable rhythm early in the race, Ushba Tesoro has the potential to challenge the favorites, especially if they falter.

For bettors looking for a high-risk, high-reward option, Ushba Tesoro offers intriguing value. His odds reflect the unpredictability of his performance, but if he hits his stride, he could deliver a big surprise in this year’s race.

Who Will Win the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic?

After analyzing the odds and post positions of each horse in the race, City of Troy stands out as the strongest pick to win the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

He enters the race in impeccable form, and his solid post position will make him the horse to beat. While Fierceness and Forever Young offer compelling cases with their own strengths, City of Troy looks like a worthy early favorite.

That said, the Breeders’ Cup Classic is known for surprises, so keep an eye on experienced horses like Ushba Tesoro and Next, who could bring an unexpected twist to the competition.

Best Bet: City of Troy (+250)