Breeders’ Cup 2024: What To Expect?

One of the standout horse racing events on the calendar will bring the curtain down on the campaign in early November. The Breeders’ Cup is one of the most prestigious events of the year in the sport, with some of the biggest prizes on offer.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic the signature race of the two-day meet, while the Breeders’ Cup Turf pits superstar equines from all corners of the world against another. This year’s event promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years, but what should racing fans expect at the Breeders’ Cup 2024?

Where Is The Breeders’ Cup 2024?

The Breeders’ Cup returns to Santa Anita in 2024, as the track hosts the action for a record-extending eleventh time. The action previously came from the track in 2019, and Santa Anita has hosted the prestigious event on five occasions since 2010.

On the previous edition of the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita there were no shortage of shock results on track. That included Vino Rosso winning the Classic at odds of 5/1, and Iridessa landing victory in the Filly & Mare Turf at odds of 14/1.

You can find more information about betting in this event here: twinspires.com/betting-guides/beginners-guide-betting-horse-racing

Wide-Open Renewal Of The Classic

Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic was all about the dominance of Flightline. However, there is a wide-open renewal expected in the race this year, as there are no shortage of leading contenders that could throw down leading claims. Forte is among those, but questions have been asked of the three-year-old following his late withdrawal in the Kentucky Derby and he has been unable to bounce back to winning ways in two starts since.

Arcangelo certainly appears a solid contender based on his effort in the G1 Belmont Stakes, while Geaux Rocket Ride retains plenty of ability, and could be well-bred for the Classic distance. Bob Baffert’s Taiba returns to the Classic after finishing third in 2022. There will also be international challengers in the Classic this year, with Ushba Tesoro leading the Japanese raid. Paddington could be an interesting option for Aidan O’Brien after dominating on the turf in Europe throughout 2024.

World’s Best On Show In The Turf

The highest-rated horse in the world looks set to line-up at Santa Anita later this year, as Tetsuya Kimura is yet to rule out a Breeders’ Cup run for Equinox. The superstar four-year-old holds an official rating of 132, and was at his stunning best in Japan to land yet another Group 1 honour after holding off Through Seven Seas by a neck.

However, the performance that got the world talking came in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, as he routed Arc contender Westover by over three lengths without breaking a sweat. There will be a renewed challenge at Santa Anita this year, with no shortage of European raiders likely to seize their chances. Mostahdaf looks a reliable contender after his win in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot in June, while few could argue that Emily Upjohn giving Frankie Dettori a final win in the race wouldn’t create one of the long-lasting memories at the Breeders’ Cup.

The European Classic contenders are also set to run, with G1 Epsom Derby winner Auguste Rodin and runner-up King Of Steel both being teased. However, Adelaide River could be the most likely winner at this very early stage. The three-year-old has run some huge races in defeat already this season, and looked a much-improved contender when finishing just a length behind leading Arc contender Feed The Flame in Group 1 company in France in the middle of July.

Interesting Renewal Of The Mile

Modern Games has dominated the Breeders’ Cup Mile in each of the last two years, but the retirement of the Godolphin runner means that a new winner will be crowned this year. Paddington currently heads the betting for trainer Aidan O’Brien, but a trip to the United States for this three-year-old star looks incredibly unlikely after his dominant displays in Europe throughout 2024.

Inspiral could be an interesting contender on Dettori’s swansong at the Breeders’ Cup, after finally bouncing back to winning ways with a vintage display in Group 1 company in France. Songline will represent the Japanese in the Mile, and she has been incredibly consistent throughout 2024, winning Group 1s in each of her previous two starts.

There will also be a number of solid American contenders in the race this year, with Chad Brown’s Annapolis among those. However, Casa Creed could be the forgotten horse in the betting for trainer William Mott after winning each of his previous two after being stepped back up to a mile after a failed effort in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in 2022.

Nest Bidding For Distaff Glory

The Distaff was one of the best races at the Breeders’ Cup in 2022, as Malathaat finally got her massive win at Keeneland after just a nose separated the first three past the post. Nest is the runner that will be looking to kick on following her display in the race last year, as she could only finish fourth, and three lengths behind the winner.

The four-year-old has looked back to her very best this year, as she dominated a strong line-up to land the G2 Shuvee Stakes by two lengths from Clairiere on her return to action in late July. That impressive showing has already made her the clear contender in the betting, but there will likely be familiar challenges in the Distaff for Todd Pletcher’s runner, with Secret Oath and Search Results among the likely dangers.

Society and Pretty Mischievous both hold extremely solid claims based on their performances this year. But, Julia Shining could be the three-year-old set for an excellent second half of the season. She bypassed the Kentucky Oaks in favour of bigger challenges later in the year, and was the winner of the G2 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct in 2022. Her latest effort saw her finish third in the G1 Ashland Stakes, but there is more to come from this runner from the Pletcher yard.

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