Day 2 of the 42nd annual Breeders' Cup at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is anchored by the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic, and it features some of the best horses the world has to offer.
See why my free betting picks are calling for a sizable Breeders' Cup odds upset in the Classic on November 1, and keep reading for my Breeders' Cup predictions for the Mile.
Breeders' Cup Classic odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Del Mar Race 9
- Post time: 6:25 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC
| Post | Horse | Track odds |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fierceness | 5-2 | +250 | +250 |
| 2 | Baeza | 10-1 | +1000 | +1000 |
| 3 | Nevada Beach | 20-1 | +2000 | +2000 |
| 4 | Contrary Thinking | 50-1 | +5000 | +5000 |
| 5 | Forever Young | 7-2 | +350 | +350 |
| SCR | OTB |
OTB |
||
| 7 | Sierra Leone | 7-2 | +350 | +350 |
| 8 | Mindframe | 6-1 | +600 | +600 |
| 9 | Journalism | 5-1 | +500 | +500 |
| 10 | Antiquarian | 10-1 | +1000 | +1000 |
Odds as of 10-31.
Win pick: Antiquarian
Antiquarian finally made good on his potential with a victory in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup when last seen.
The Grade III Peter Pan winner clearly had something go amiss in the 2024 Belmont Stakes, as he took nearly a year to make his next start after that fifth-place effort. After acing his return vs. allowance foes, he knocked on the door with runner-up placings in the Grade III Blame and Grade II Suburban before kicking it down at Saratoga.
The workouts say it's "all systems go" for this son of Preservationist, who looks to give trainer Todd Pletcher his second win in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Place pick: Forever Young
Forever Young is 9-for-12 lifetime, but two of those defeats have come in his only two stateside starts. However, it's not like the Japan import was disgraced in the 2024 Kentucky Derby or the Breeders' Cup Classic, running third in both.
The four-year-old seems to have found a new gear, picking up two Group 1 wins — including the Saudi Cup — before crushing the competition in an ungraded stakes prep.
Show pick: Baeza
Baeza spent most of his three-year-old season picking up minor awards behind the cream of the crop in Sovereignty and Journalism. But with Sovereignty scratching and Journalism faltering for a third time at 1 1/4-miles in the Grade I Pacific Classic last time out, the door is wide-open for Baeza to hit the ticket.
Baeza was last seen romping in the Grade I Pennsylvania Derby, which had to do wonders for the confidence of the horse as well as the connections. Stamina isn't a concern for this son of McKinzie, who once again has Hector Berrios aboard.
Best bet: $8 win 5,10, $2 exacta box 5/10 ($20)
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Breeders' Cup Mile odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Del Mar Race 10
- Post time: 7:05 p.m. ET
- TV: USA, Peacock, FanDuel TV
| Post | Horse | Track odds | |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | One Stripe | 30-1 | +3000 | +3000 |
| 2 | Notable Speech | 5-2 | +250 | +250 |
| 3 | Sahlan | 6-1 | +600 | +600 |
| 4 | The Lion In Winter | 6-1 | +600 | +600 |
| 5 | Program Trading | 10-1 | +1000 | +1000 |
| 6 | Gran Oriente | 30-1 | +3000 | +3000 |
| 7 | Johannes | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 8 | Formidable Man | 10-1 | +1000 | +1000 |
| 9 | Argine | 20-1 | +2000 | +2000 |
| 10 | Jonquil | 10-1 | +1000 | +1000 |
| 11 | Rhetorical | 5-1 | +500 | +500 |
| 12 | Gas Me Up | 30-1 | +3000 | +3000 |
| 13 | Qirat | 20-1 | +2000 | +2000 |
Odds as of 10-31.
Win pick: Rhetorical
Rhetorical started his career 4-for-5, and while his speed figures always came back strong, it was easy to poke holes in his form as he faced soft competition every step of the way. That changed last time out when he took the Grade I Turf Mile at Keeneland.
Rhetorical is one of the fastest runners in the field, is tactically versatile, and has the services of Irad Ortiz Jr. once again.
Place pick: Sahlan
Sahlan is by far the most appealing of the international runners assembled for the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The French raider exits back-to-back stakes scores, including a well-rated Group 1 win at Longchamp when last seen. Regular pilot Mickael Barzalona flies in for the call.
Show pick: Notable Speech
Notable Speech won the Grade I Woodbine Mile at odds-on last time out for the ever-dangerous connections of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. That result snapped a six-race losing streak for the son of Dubawi.
Notable Speech ran third in last year's Mile and is a threat to hit the board once more.
Best bet: $10 win 11, $6 win 3, $2 exacta box 3/11 ($20)
