Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty completed a 10-week run as the No. 1-ranked horse in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings.
The final rankings were released Tuesday by the Breeders’ Cup, less than four weeks before the 42nd edition of the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar on Oct. 31-Nov. 1
The $7 million BC Classic (G1) is Nov. 1 and will likely decide the Horse of the Year. And there’s not much doubt about Sovereignty being the betting favorite in what is shaping up as one of the most wide-open Classics ever.
In early August, Sovereignty started out at No. 1 after his victories in the Derby and Belmont and stayed on top every week since. The 3-year-old trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott only added to his star status with wins in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and the Travers Stakes (G1), both at Saratoga.
Sovereignty received 394 points and 35 first-place votes in the final edition of the rankings based on voting by a panel of thoroughbred racing media, horseplayers, and members of the Breeders’ Cup directors/secretaries panel.
The rankings have no bearing on qualification or selection into the Classic, although they give horseplayers a clear sign of who the top contenders will be.
In the rankings, each voter rates horses on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system in descending order.
The final rankings saw little change in the rest of the top 10, with Forever Young moving up one to fifth and Journalism dropping one spot to sixth.
Fierceness, who won the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, finished second (338 points, two first-place votes), followed by defending Classic winner Sierra Leone (317, 2), with Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) winner Mindframe fourth.
Forever Young, a winner last week in a race in Japan as a prep for the Classic, is fifth, followed Preakness (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Journalism, Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Baeza, Antiquarian, Locked and Highland Falls.
The top three finishers in the 2024 Classic – Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Forever Young, are all set for a return trip to Del Mar.
During the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In" series, 10 races globally awarded the winners with fees-paid, automatic berths to the Classic.
The winners: Fierceness (Pacific Classic), Sierra Leone (Whitney), Mindframe (Stephen Foster), Journalism (Haskell), Forever Young (Saudi Cup), Hit Show (Dubai World Cup), Antiquarian (Jockey Club Gold Cup), Nevada Beach (Goodwood), Costa Nova (February Cup in Japan), and Ombudsman (Juddmonte International in Ireland).
The Classic field is limited to 14 starters. The rankings have no bearing on qualification or selection into the Classic.
As for the race itself, only the savviest – or luckiest – handicappers will strike big. The field is loaded with Grade 1 winners from all over the world. The top three finishers from last year’s Classic, also at Del Mar, are back: Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Japan star Forever Young.
There’s speed and stalkers and deep closers, and Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher could have four starters – Fierceness, Mindframe, Antiquarian, and Locked. Locked, winner of the Woodward Stakes (G2) is more likely to run in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
The 13 BC races over two days in the leadup to the Classic will test the knowledge of bettors around the world. And it won’t be any easier when the Classic rolls around.
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.
