From A to Z, many of the best horses in the world are gathering at Santa Anita Park for the 40th edition of the two-day, 14-race Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 3-4, a weekend when championships are won – and lost.
The $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) is the showcase race, and a total of 18 horses were pre-entered on Wednesday (Oct. 25) — from Arabian Knight to Zandon.
Four-time BC Classic winning trainer Bob Baffert sends out Pacific Classic (G1) winner Arabian Knight in his quest for No. 5 in a wide open race featuring Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1) winner Arcangelo, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage, Japan’s duo of Ushba Tesero and Derma Sotogake, Whitney (G1) winner White Abarrio, Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Saudi Crown, Haskell (G1) winner Geaux Rocket Ride, and Woodward (G2) winner Zandon.
A total of 205 horses were pre-entered for the championships, including 59 international pre-entries. Official entries take place on Monday (Oct. 30), when post positions and odds are announced.
Four defending champions are back: Caravel (BC Turf Sprint); Cody’s Wish (BC Dirt Mile); Elite Power (BC Sprint); and Goodnight Olive (BC Filly & Mare Sprint).
Santa Anita is hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the 11th time.
Among the top Breeder’s Cup Contenders pre-entered:
$4 million BC Turf
European stars Auguste Rodin, British Champion (G1) winner King of Steel, and Prince of Wales (G1) winner Mostahdaf are among the 17 pre-entries; the maximum field is 14. Aidan O’Brien, who trains the 3-year-old Auguste Rodin, is seeking a seventh Turf victory. War Like Goddess and Up to the Mark are among the top American-based runners.
$2 million BC Distaff
Zenyatta (G2) winner Adare Manor, Ogden Phipps (G1) winner Clairiere, Personal Ensign (G1) and Spinster (G1) winner Idiomatic, and Alabama (G1) winner Randomized are among the 13 pre-entries.
$2 million BC Sprint (G1)
Elite Power returns to go for a second straight win in the Sprint, which drew 11 pre-entries. Challengers include Gunite, Speed Boat Beach, and Dr. Shivel.
$2 million BC Mile (G1)
Eighteen were pre-entered. Among them: Japan-based Songline, a winner of two “Win and You’re In’’ races; Casa Creed competing in his fourth BC race and coming in off a win in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) on Aug. 12, and Paddington, a four-time Group 1 winner trained by Aidan O’Brien.
$1 million BC Dirt Mile (G1)
Cody’s Wish attempts to close out his career with a second straight Dirt Mile win; others pre-entered include Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Practical Move, Charge It, and Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure.
$2 million BC Juvenile
Future Stars Friday at the Breeders’ Cup will showcase 2-year-olds, with the Juvenile likely to determine the early favorite for the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner Locked, American Pharoah (G1) winner Muth, Champagne (G1) winner Timberlake, and Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Prince of Monaco are among the 12 pre-entries.
More on the Classic:
While 18 horses are pre-entered, the field is limited to 14. Five of the top 14 pre-entries were cross entered: Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Bright Future, Charge It, Mage and Senor Buscador all have second preference in the Dirt Mile, while King of Steel has first preference in the Turf.
The horses not selected into the field are Clapton, Skippylongstocking, Dreamlike, and Missed the Cut. Clapton is first on the list if a horse is entered in another race.
On TV:
The Breeders’ Cup will be televised on NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and FanDuel TV. NBC network coverage runs from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 4.
International coverage is led by ITV, Sky Sports, and RacingTV in England and Ireland, along with Green Channel in Japan.
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.
