Breeders’ Cup: Long Shots and Sure Shot Winners

From Arcangues at 133-1 to Meadow Star a 1-5, the first 42 editions of the Breeders’ Cup have been filled with long shots and sure shots. Who knows what will happen this time around?

A year ago, the biggest upset at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar came in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), with Ethical Diamond (27-1) defeating two-time BC Turf winner Rebel’s Romance.

A $2 win bet on the Ireland-bred Ethical Diamond was $57.40. The shocker was far from a record for the race – it was set in the first BC Turf in 1984 by England-bred Lashkari, who won at 53-1 and returned $108.80.

Two years ago, Ireland-bred Magnum Force set the record for largest payoff in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), when he won at 12-1 odds and returned $27 on a $2 win bet.

Are any huge upsets looming at the 43^rd Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 30-31?  

A look at the shortest and longest odds of the Breeders’ Cup winners (payouts are for a $2 win bet):

BC Classic: Flightline 2-5-- $2.88; (2022); Arcangues 133-1 -- $269.20 (1993)

BC Dirt Mile: Liam’s Map 1-2 -- $3 (2015): Dakota Phone 37-1 -- $77.40 (2010)

BC Filly & Mare Turf: Ouija Board 9-10 -- $4.80 (2004); Shared Account 46-1 -- $94 (2010)

BC Filly & Mare Sprint: Groupie Doll 7-10 -- $8 (2012); Bar of Gold 66-1 -- $135.40 (2017)

BC Juvenile: Chief’s Crown 7-10 -- $8 (1984); Storm the Court 45-1 -- $93.80 (2019)

BC Juvenile Turf: Unquestionable 3-2 -- $5 (2023); Fire at Will 30-1 -- $62.40 (2020)

BC Juvenile Fillies: Meadow Star 1-5 -- $2.40 (1990); Take Charge Brandi 61-1 -- $125.40 (2014)

BC Juvenile Fillies Turf: Newspaperofrecord 3-5 -- $3.20 (2018); Sharing 13-1 -- $29.60 (2019)

BC Juvenile Sprint: Secret Circle 2-5 -- $2.80 (2011); Hightail 15-1 -- $32.80 (2012) (Race dropped after two-year run in 2011-2012)

BC Juvenile Turf Sprint: Golden Pal 4-5 -- $7 (2020); Magnum Force 12-1 -- $27 (2024)  

BC Distaff: Life’s Magic 2-5 -- $2.80 (1985, coupled with Lady’s Secret and Alabama Nana); Spain 55-1 -- $113.80 (2000)

BC Mile: Wise Dan 4-5-- $3.60 (2013); Order of Australia 73-1 -- $148.40 (2020)

BC Sprint: Eillo 1-1 -- $4.60 (1984); Sheikh Albadou 26-1 -- $54.60 (1991)

BC Turf: Enable 4-5 -- $3.60 (2008); Lashkari 53-1 -- $108.80 (1984)

BC Turf Sprint: Regally Ready 2-1 -- $6.60; (2011); Caravel 42-1 -- $87.78 (2022)

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.