The $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) has always been contested at the classic distance of 1 1⁄4 miles on dirt. It used to be the richest race in the world, but there are several other races with higher purses these days, among them the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).
Check the Time for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and complete the race card for the “Championship Saturday”:
| Race | Race Name | Post Time ET |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sunrise (Allowance) | 1:05pm |
| 2 | The Ocean View (Allowance) | 1:40pm |
| 3 | Goldikova Stakes (G3) | 2:15pm |
| 4 | Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) | 3:00pm |
| 5 | Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) | 3:41pm |
| 6 | Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) | 4:21pm |
| 7 | Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) | 5:01pm |
| 8 | Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) | 5:41pm |
| 9 | Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) | 6:25pm |
| 10 | Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) | 7:05pm |
| 11 | Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile | 7:45pm |
| 12 | Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) | 8:25pm |
American Horse of the Year winners who have also captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic are: Alysheba, 1988; A.P. Indy, 1992; Cigar, 1995; Tiznow, 2000; Ghostzapper, 2004; Saint Liam, 2005; Invasor, 2006; Curlin, 2007; American Pharoah, 2015; Gun Runner, 2017; Authentic, 2020; Knicks Go, 2021; and Flightline, 2022.
Hall of Famer Bob Baffert leads all trainers with four winners – Bayern, 2014; American Pharoah, 2015; Arrogate, 2016; and Authentic, 2020. Retired Hall of Fame jockeys Jerry Bailey and Chris McCarron each rode five winners to lead all jockeys. Tiznow in 2001 and 2002 is the only horse to win the Classic twice, although Sierra Leone, who won last year’s Classic, is entered in Saturday’s Classic with a chance to repeat.
The fastest Breeders’ Cup Classic time belongs to Ghostzapper, who set the mark of 1:59:02 under Javier Castellano in 2004 at Lone Star Park. It also remains the Texas track’s record for the distance. In 2015, American Pharoah's final time of 2:00.07 set a track record at Keeneland.
The Classic is responsible for more than just Horse of the Year Honors. The biggest upset in Breeders' Cup history came in 1993 when European import Arcangues stunned the Santa Anita crowd at odds of 133-1 under jockey Jerry Bailey and returned $269.20 for a $2 wager.
American Pharoah is the only Triple Crown winner to run in a Breeders’ Cup. Cigar (1995), Pleasantly Perfect (2003), Invasor (2006), and Arrogate (2016) are the four Breeders’ Cup Classic/Dubai World Cup winners.
1984 – Few triumphs outshine the 1984 debut's heart-stopping photo finish, where 31-1 longshot Wild Again surged inside, Gate Dancer lunged outside, and favorite Slew o' Gold split them in a blur of bumping that defined the race's electric legacy. Wild Again emerged as the longshot winner after a lengthy inquiry and set the standard for Classic excitement right out of the gate.
1993 -- This renewal etched an even wilder underdog tale as French import Arcangues, dismissed at 133-1 odds, posted the biggest shocker in Breeders' Cup annals. He stumbled from the gate yet rallied to a staggering $269.20 payout on a $2 bet, proving that equine miracles know no borders.
2001 – It was raw emotion at Belmont Park, mere weeks after 9/11, when battle-scarred Tiznow — the only dual Breeders’ Cup Classic winner — edged European invader Sakhee by a nose in a security-swathed spectacle, prompting announcer Tom Durkin's iconic cry: "Tiznow wins it for America!" -- a rallying roar that fused sport with national healing.
2008 -- Raven's Pass amplified the international intrigue at Santa Anita, the British miler exploding from 10th to etch a track-record 1:59.27 victory over Curlin and Henrythenavigator. This stunning upset showcased Europe's tactical talent on American soil.
2009 – The legendary mare Zenyatta’s conquest remains a beacon of barrier-breaking brilliance, the flawless mare becoming the first female to claim the previously boys-only crown, her thunderous stretch charge under Mike Smith silencing skeptics and stoking her already cult following.
2015 -- American Pharoah's domination capped the first Grand Slam, sweeping the Triple Crown for the first time in 37 years before posting a dominant wire-to-wire route at Keeneland to seal his position as a racing immortal.
Over the past 25 years, value has been emphasized in horses with elite credentials: 23 of 25 winners were prior Grade 1 winners, all finished top 3 in their final prep, and 22 were first or second. New York preps (Travers, Whitney) have produced 13 winners, more than any other region, influencing wagering toward East Coast runners like Sovereignty or Sierra Leone this year.
Three-year-olds have won eight of the last 25, including five of the previous 11, creating a trend of betting on improving sophomores -- evident in 2025 with Sovereignty and Journalism set to line up. Older contenders like Fierceness and Forever Young should attract action despite longer odds.
Current betting trends indicate value in exotic bets (exactas, trifectas) involving closers like Sierra Leone or Mindframe, as early bettors may overlook pace setups that favor them. Social media buzz highlights Sovereignty as a “lock” for Horse of the Year if he wins, driving pari-mutuel shifts, while international runners like Forever Young add intrigue for global wagering. Pools are expected to remain stable without last-minute computer betting cutoffs, per Breeders' Cup policy.
Historic payouts reflect the race's unpredictability: Winners averaged $20+ in six of the last 25 editions, with bombs like Volponi ($89 in 2002) and Drosselmeyer ($31.60 in 2011) rewarding longshot bettors. Recent examples include Sierra Leone ($15.80 in 2024)—the most significant payoff since Fort Larned's $20.80 in 2012 —White Abarrio ($7.20 in 2023), and Flightline ($2.88 in 2022).
Close finishes (seven of 25 by ≤ ½ length) inflate exotic payouts, while blowouts (five by ≥ 4¼ lengths -- Flightline's 8¼-length win in 2022, for example) favor win bets. Trends show only 4 winning favorites in the last 20 years, with 10 winners at 3.2-1 or shorter, suggesting pari-mutuel value in mid-priced horses.
Historically, the Classic favors speed-oriented runners: 10 of 25 winners were pace-setters or pressers (13 including stalkers), with eight leading after the first call. Closers have won five times (Sierra Leone in 2024 won from 10+ lengths back), but Southern California tracks like Del Mar show a speed bias — two editions won by pace-setters like Gun Runner (2017) and Knicks Go (2021). Average winning times hover around 2:00-2:02, with the quickest Authentic (1:59.19 in 2020). Trends highlight Equibase Speed Figures (avg. 120.9 for winners), rewarding horses near 119+.
For 2025, the projected pace could be moderate to honest, setting up closers if early duels develop. Potential speed/pace influencers include Nevada Beach (a pressure applier), Fierceness (a stalker who can rally), and Antiquarian (an outside stalker).
Closers like Sierra Leone (hard-charging from back) and Sovereignty (potent stretch kick) benefit from hot paces, as seen in last year's “suicidal” early fractions that aided Sierra Leone. Tactical types like Journalism (versatile positioning) and Forever Young (chases fast paces) add flexibility.
Analysts note a deep field could lead to a hotly contested pace, favoring rally horses such as Mindframe, who thrives off lively splits.
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.
