Must be present in KY and 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Key Takeaways:
🏆 Arabian Knight (3-1) is the morning line odds favorite to win the Breeders' Cup Classic.
👸 Arcangelo and trainer Jena Antonucci made history in the Belmont Stakes as the first female trainer to win a triple crown race, but unfortunately Arcangelo was scratched from the field.
💰 The 2022 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland saw a new record in wagering handle with a total of $189,060,373 waged over Breeders Cup weekend.
🎁 Use promo code BKYHORSE at Caesars Kentucky to get a $200 deposit match for this weekend's races. Click on the green "Bet Now" button above to unlock this bonus!
The richest weekend in horse racing is rapidly approaching. Here's everything you need to know about Breeders Cup 2023. We'll be taking a deep dive into all things Breeders' Cup 2023, including insights into to the races, the contenders, and betting odds. In addition, we will analyze key trends, big-race data, and historical records.
Even though it is in California, the 2023 Breeders' Cup is expected to be one of the most popular Kentucky sports betting events of the year.
Breeders' Cup Classic Odds: Opening Morning Line Odds
⭐️ Arabian Knight
3-1
Ushba Tesoro
4-1
White Abarrio
4-1
Bright Future
10-1
Zandon
12-1
Saudi Crown
12-1
Proxy
12-1
📆 Last Update
November 20, 2024
The Breeders Cup in 2023 will have plenty of drama and storylines abound.
Arcangelo was scratched from the field after opening as one of the favorites and will not get the chance to cement himself as the horse of the year after winning the Belmont, Travers, and a BC Classic at Santa Anita.
Will the horse racing community get one more feel-good win from Cody's Wish for Cody Dorman, Bill Mott, and Godolphin? Will we see a Kentucky Derby winner on future stars Friday?
The Breeders' Cup Classic is almost always won by a horse prominent in the betting. Only one of the last ten winners had odds longer than 5-1.
However, it tends to be the second tier of betting favorites that dominate. Only two odds-on favorites have won in the last decade, and one of them was Flightline, the favorite to win again this year, in 2022.
How Breeders’ Cup Morning Line Odds Are Created
Morning Line odds represent the sum total of the information that oddsmakers have at their disposal about any given horse.
They will reflect the quality of a horse's performance in the context of the class of races it has been running in. If a horse has been winning Grade 1 races by miles on every start, then it's obviously going to have very short Morning Line odds.
There are other things to factor in, like distance, barrier draw, and potential race set-up but the lion's share of a horse's morning line odds will reflect the quality of its previous performances.
Once the Morning Line odds for a Breeders' Cup race are set and published, the odds will then fluctuate, mostly depending on the weight of money. Odds can also change with comments from trainers or owners, as well.
Fields and post positions for the 2023 Breeders Cup were drawn on Monday, October 30th. While post-position is important in any race, the Breeders Cup is held at a different track each year and that can make post-position stats deceptive. Typically, for the longer-distance BC races, the inside posts are the preferred draw.
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate & present in KY. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.
2023 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita
The Breeders' Cup Classic is the ultimate test for a thoroughbred on dirt. Run over one and a quarter miles, it can sometimes be the first time a horse has raced around two turns in the heat of battle.
Santa Anita is one of the world's premier racetracks. Known as "The Great Race Place," Santa Anita Park will host its 11th Breeders' Cup meeting in 2023. It's a special one because it marks the 40th anniversary of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Set against the backdrop of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Anita Park is a one-mile natural dirt track that rings a turf course measuring 0.9 miles.
The Classic is considered by many to be the premier thoroughbred race of the year in the U.S. and is regarded by some as the fourth leg of the traditional Triple Crown, the obvious difference being that the Classic is open to older horses.
It's a race that defines champions so only the best need apply. The $6M contest is so competitive that only one horse, Tiznow in 2000 and 2001, has won it more than once. This dirt track has played host to some of the great moments in both horse racing and Breeders' Cup history, such as when Zenyatta produced her late charge to become the first (and only) mare to win the Classic in 2009.
In the 2012 Mile contest, Wise Dan displayed what the Washington Post called "an unequivocal championship performance." Johnny Velazquez' mount posted a track record time of of 1:31.78 and came within 0.37 seconds of a world record of a mile on any surface which had stood since 1968.
Horses compete worldwide in the Breeders Cup challenge series "win and you're in" races. The Road to the Breeders' Cup Championship, however, starts with the nomination process in the year of the horse's birth.
The road doesn't necessarily end without a "win and you're in" score. Horses can still be added to the field by scoring points for finishing first, second, or third in graded stakes races or earning a spot based on the selection panel's judgment.
Let's break down each of the entries in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic
Arabian Knight
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Sire: Uncle Mo
Strength: High cruising speed.
Weakness: One-dimensional runner
For Arabian Knight to win the Breeders Cup Classic, it's likely that he'll have to do so in gate-to-wire fashion. If he can establish a clear early lead and control the pace, then Arabian Knight could spring the upset.
White Abarrio
Trainer: Rick Dutrow, Jr.
Sire: Race Day
Strength: Stalking ability
Weakness: Finishing races
The connections of White Abarrio made the trainer switch to Rick Dutrow Jr. and the horse improved in two straight starts. Another improvement under Dutrow and White Abbario could run well enough to win the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Geaux Rocket Ride
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Sire: Candy Ride
Strength: Stalking ability
Weakness: Lightly raced and unexperienced
Geaux Rocket Ride is a horse that's never done anything wrong and a late arrival on the BC contender list. Like White Abarrio, Geaux Rocket Ride has been on the steady improve and improving again would likely be a strong enough effort to win the Breeders Cup Classic.
Bright Future
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Sire: Curlin
Strength: Endurance
Weakness: Lightly raced
Bright Future is another relative newcomer who earned his birth in the BC Classic by a nose over Proxy in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on September 2nd. One of the few older horses in the Breeders Cup Classic, Bright Future is still lightly raced and will have to make a large leap in performance from the last start.
Usba Tesoro
Trainer: Noburo Takagi
Sire: Ofevre
Strength: International winner
Weakness: Shipping to North America for the first time.
The North American thoroughbred racing industry knows it's only a matter of time until a Japanese horse wins a breeders cup race. An older horse, Usba Tesoro may be Japan's best hope of winning not only a Breeders' Cup race, but the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Proxy
Trainer: Michael Stidham
Sire: Tapit
Strength: Older horse
Weakness: Inconsistent
Proxy's connections, Godolphin, have an eye on yet another BC win with Proxy. To win, Proxy will need to show up in the same form as his last two starts in the Monmouth Cup and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Saudi Crown
Trainer: Brad Cox
Sire: Always Dreaming
Strength: Early speed
Weakness: One dimensional
If you backed Saudi Crown in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 29th of this year, you likely believe that Saudi Crown was the righful winner of not just his last start, but his last two starts of this year. To win the Breeders' Cup, Saudi Crown will likely need to outdeul Arabian Knight on the front.
Derma Sotogake
Trainer: Hidetaka Otanashi
Sire: Mind Your Biscuits
Strength: Second race in the United States
Weakness: Gate break issues.
Derma Sotogake only has one race in the United States, and that was a disappointing performance in this year's Kentucky Derby. A lot of the disappointment was due to a very troubled trip in the derby, and with a clean trip, Derma Sotogake could do what he wasn't able to do in a triple crown race.
Zandon
Trainer: Chad Brown
Sire: Upstart
Strength: Consistency
Weakness: Winning
Despite all the steam that Zandon brought into the 2022 Kentucky Derby, Zandon has proven to be the perpetual bridesmaid. For Zadon to win this race and not just earn a minor award, Zandon will need the pace in front of him to get very quick very early.
Arcangelo
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Sire: Arrogate
Strength: Endurance and tactical speed.
Weakness: Pace dependent.
Arcangelo has his sights set on a horse of the year award, and a win in the Breeders Cup Classic would pair very well with the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes wins from this summer. Arcangelo will need a quick pace to materialize in front of him to run in to late in the stretch.
UPDATE: Arcangelo will not be racing due to a foot injury.
Other Breeders’ Cup Classic Probables & Entries
Outside of Arcangelo, no other horse has made a case as a clear-cut contender for the BC Classic crown. It could be a wide-open year for a surprise such as Clapton, the other Bob Baffert horse Defunded, or Kentucky Derby-winning horse Mage. Clapton and Mage are both extremely intriguing because the pace set up of the race could strongly favor a horse with their running styles.
Must be present in KY and 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Challenge Series: 2023 Results
Like every Breeders Cup, this one is not without its own late developments. The most noteworthy has to be the retirement of a horse many considered to be a contender to win, Forte. On October 19th it was announced that Forte would be retiring to begin his stallion career at Spendthrift Farms.
Here are the results of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic Challenge Series:
February Stakes
Lemon Pop
Stephen Foster Stakes
West Will Power
Haskell Stakes
Geaux Rocket Ride
The Whitney
White Abarrio
Juddmonte International Stakes
Mostahdaf
Pacific Classic
Arabian Knight
Jockey Club Gold Cup
Bright Future
Awesome Again Stakes
Slow Down Andy
Other Breeders' Cup Grade 1 Races
While the Breeders Cup Classic is the primary jewel of the weekend, the Breeders Cup also has thirteen other million-dollar races. It starts with Future Stars Friday featuring five 2-year-old Breeders Cup races, including the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Saturday features nine Breeders' Cup races, culminating in the Breeders Cup Classic.
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
The Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint features an all-star throwdown at an exciting six furlongs with the likes of Goodnight Olive, Matareya, and Yuuguri. These horses seemingly spent the summer taking turns beating each other in the win and you're in races for the filly mare sprint , and it makes this race seem like an open competition. Goodnight Olive makes a return trip to the Breeders' Cup filly and mare sprint after claiming the crown at Keeneland in the 2022 Filly Mare Sprint Breeders' Cup race.
11/4/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
The turf sprint is always one of the more exciting races of the Breeders' Cup races. Last year, Caravel backers had plenty to celebrate with her 43-1 victory in the 2022 turf sprint. Caravel returns to try to protect her crown against the boys in the 2023 turf sprint. To win, Caravel will likely have to hold the 2022 turf sprint second-place finisher, Emaraaty Ana.
11/4/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
The biggest feel-good story in horse racing in decades, Cody's Wish, enters the BC Dirt mile with a chance to tie Goldencents as the only two-time winners of the dirt mile. Last year, Cody's Wish was able to get a head in front of Cyberknife right at the wire. The real interest in this race could stem from which race the Saudi Crown, who is cross-entered in this and the BC Classic, ultimately chooses.
11/4/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
One of the most compelling storylines of Breeders' Cup World Championships weekend may be if the American horse racing industry has produced any turf horses that can win the Creeders' Cup turf races. Every notable turf trainer in the world seemingly has an entry in this race including, Aiden and Joseph O'Brien, John Gosden, and Chad Brown. Last year's winner, Tuesday trained by Aiden O'Brien, extended the streak of European winners to seven straight years.
11/4/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Breeders’ Cup Sprint
3-4 sentences introducing the race, what this means, why it matters, who makes up the field, and important results that have occurred in the past, mentioning the 2022 winner.
Bill Mott's Elite Power was a small surprise at the last year-end championship at Keeneland when he defeated Jackie's Warrior in the Breeders Cup Sprint in 2022. After that race Elite Power stayed on track until a surprise defeat on Travers Stakes day at Saratoga on 8/26/23. Will Elite Power arrive at Santa Anita Park in top form for the 2023 Breeders Cup Sprint?
11/4/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Breeders’ Cup Mile
This one-mile turf race once again features a who's who of the finest turf horses in the world, and it looks unlikely an American horse racing contender could walk away with a win. It's worth noting that the Saeed bin Suroor-trained, Godolphin-owned powerhouse Mawj is considering not only the Filly mare turf, but also running against the boys in the Breeders Cup Turf.
11/4/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Breeders’ Cup Distaff
While the Breeders Cup Classic is the world championship for the boys, the Distaff division is about the ladies. The distaff, or older fillies and mares division, is routinely the most competitive division in North American horse racing. The distaff this year doesn't feature last year's champion, Malathaat, however, this is a very talented group of fillies and mares and might provide the best race of the day.
11/4/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Breeders’ Cup Turf
This Breeders Cup Race, the Breeders Cup Turf, will once again highlight that the Breeders' Cup is the world championship and how far ahead of American turf horses that European turf shippers may be. Everyone may be attempting to beat one of the many Aidan O'Brien entries in the race with names like Auguste Rodin, Bolshoi Ballet, Broome, and Luxembourg. To win, Aidan O'Brien will have to have someone on his team to likely upset 2022 winner Rebel's Romance for Charlie Appelby.
Must be present in KY and 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Races: 2-Year-Olds
Racing two-year-old horses has become big business in the thoroughbred horse racing breeding industry, and it has become such big business that the Breeders Cup added a Future Stars Friday card of two-year-old races. Winning as a two-year-old at the richest weekend in horse racing is great advertising for Stallions and Mares, in addition to setting the market for triple crown season futures bets with the BC Juvenile.
Juvenile Turf Sprint
The Juvenile Turf Sprint might yield the United States best chance to win a race on the grass the first weekend in November. George Weaver's Crimson Advocate was able to go across the pond to win against the best European 2-year-old sprinters at Royal Ascot this summer. Last year's race was won by Irish colt Mischief Magic, and that extended the streak to two straight wins by a European horse. The last win by an American horse was Golden Pal for Wesley Ward in 2020.
11/3/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Juvenile
The Winner of the BC Juvenile will likely be your early favorite for the Kentucky Derby when Kentucky Derby 2024 futures pools open later this month. The path to the first Saturday in November and the BC Classic 2024 starts with the first Friday in November 2023 and the Juvenile. While winning the BC Juvenile is a great first step to winning the Derby and other triple crown races, it's no guarantee as Forte (2022 Breeders Cup Juvenile Winner) wasn't able to win a TC race and was retired before his BC Classic start.
11/3/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Juvenile Turf
The Juvenile Turf will be a chance to get a sneak peek at the European turf horses that will be racing at a world-class level over the next few years here on American turf. Irish horses have claimed this race for the last two years running. The last American winner was a large upset when Ricardo Santana Jr. piloted Fire at Will to a win for Mike Maker at Keeneland in the 2020 Breeders Cup race.
Much like the Breeders Cup Juvenile, the BC Juvenile Fillies will give a sneak peek into who will likely be the early favorite in the Kentucky Oaks futures pools. Plus, these races are a great opportunity to catch European supermars on the turf before they become horse racing household names.
Juvenile Fillies
The road to the Kentucky Oaks doesn't officially begin in the Juvenile Fillies, but it begins in earnest with the Juvenile Fillies on the first Friday of November. The 2022 edition was brought home by Wonder Wheel, who was retired in July for sale at auction to begin her career as a broodmare.
11/3/2023 / Post Time: TBA
Juvenile Fillies Turf
This division and race is filled with question marks, as it is the first time that many of these American turf horses will face their European counterparts. This race has not traditionally favored the Europeans as much, though the Irish horse Meditate did win last year. The all-time leading trainer in this race is American turf trainer Chad Brown who has won the Juvenile Fillies Turf five times in his career.
There are many numerous ways to wager on the Breeders Cup races. The wagering menu provides options for individuals ranging from the risk averse to the thrill seekers. Wagers such as win, place, and show are by far the easiest to understand. However, the exotic wagers such as exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and horizontal (multi race) wagers.
Show - When a horse finishes third or better. Typically lowest payouts.
Place - When a horse finishes second or better.
Win - The horse must win the race
Exacta - The first and second place finishers in the correct order.
Trifecta - The first, second, and third place finishers in the correct order.
Superfecta - The first, second, third, and fourth place finishers in the correct order.
Horizontal or Multi Race Wagers - Picking the correct winner of anywhere from 2 to 6 consecutive races. These are often some of the most lucrative payouts in horse racing.
Parimutuel odds will be displayed as fractional odds.
To read the odds divide the number in front of the slash or dash by the number following the slash or dash.
For example, 5-1 or 5/1, would be a payout 5X the amount wagered and 9-2 (or 9/2) would pay 4.5X what was wagered. Odds available through sportsbooks or offshores will be shown in the American style like so, "+500". +500, for example, would be five to one.
The Breeders Cup races can either be wagered in a parimutuel fashion at any legal horse racing ADW or on-site betting location, or sportsbooks will offer fixed odds on horses to win the race.
Unlike the fixed odds, which as the name implies, do not change after the wager was made by the fluctuations of money wagered into the betting pool.
Parimutuel wagers are subject to changes until the moment the race closes for wagering.
The chance to hit a big score is much greater in the "exotic" pools when picking the exact order of finish in an Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, or even Super High 5. Some exotic wagers are offered with a minimum wager amount of $0.50. In last year's Classic, the Superfecta paid $69.16 to a $0.10 stake. The Breeders’ Cup also offers a unique Super High 5 bet for every race, including the undercard, across the two days.
The average $2 win payout in the Breeders’ Cup Classic is $26.67.
21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER,
Breeders' Cup Pari-Mutuel Betting System
Most, if not all, American horse racing ADWs will fall under a parimutuel wagering except in very few states were only fixed odds wagering is allowed online on horse racing. The full Breeders Cup wagering menu will be available from a horse racing ADW. This includes the multiple-day, multiple-race gimmick wagers on the weekend.
Payouts at the Breeders’ Cup are determined by the pari-mutuel system at the track and multi-million dollar pools are commonplace. Essentially, it's a rare opportunity to hit the jackpot. That makes Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) betting on the Breeders' Cup hugely popular because of the guaranteed $1M prize pools.
The amount anyone wins depends on how much money is in the pool overall divided by how many bets are placed. Note: there is also a small portion taken by the operator. The odds on the horses change as the money is bet right up to post time.
Beyond Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta wagers, there are also Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6 pools.
These can be life-changing wins as the Pick 6 has had a single ticket winner at the Breeders’ Cup three times since 2000 with each more than $1.4 million! There have been at least five occasions since 2000 when no one hit the Pick 6, and each of the consolation prizes paid $43,000 to $114,000.
Futures betting in a parimutuel format isn't available the way that the Kentucky Derby futures wagers are.
However, some Kentucky sports betting apps will offer futures bets on the projected Breeders Cup fields. The savvy bettor can take advantage of futures pools by wagering on fixed odds on a horse that they believe will win the race and go off in the parimutuel pools at a shorter price.
Must be present in KY and 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
2022 Breeders' Cup
The undoubted star of the 2022 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland was Classic winnerFlightline, who capped a stunning racing career by taking his record to perfect six from six.
Flightline was sent off one of the shortest-priced Classic favorites ever. Bettors never had a moment's worry as the colt powered clear off the home turn under Flavien Prat to score by a commanding eight and a quarter lengths.
Here are the results of the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic:
⭐️ Flightline (Trainer: John W Sadler)
Olympiad (Trainer: William I Mott)
Taiba (Trainer: Bob Baffert)
Rich Strike (Trainer: Eric Reed)
Life is Good (Trainer: Todd Pletcher)
Hot Rod Charlie (Trainer: Doug O'Neill)
Happy Saver (Trainer: Todd Pletcher)
Two horses, Forte and filly Wonder Wheel, likely wrapped up Eclipse Awards by winning the Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies, respectively. Forte, who had previously won the Hopeful Stakes and Breeders' Futurity, beat the heavily favored Cave Rock with a come-from-behind stretch drive.
Similarly, Wonder Wheel was well back in the early run but closed well to win by three lengths—the largest winning margin in the day's Breeders' Cup races.
All three turf races were won by Irish-bred horses. Trainer Aidan O'Brien picked up two prizes for the Coolmore team, the Juvenile Fillies Turf with Meditate and the Juvenile Turf with Victoria Road. Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby won the Juvenile Turf Sprint with Mischief Magic.
The total common-pool handle on Saturday's 12-race Breeders' Cup card was a record $122,918,607. All source's common-pool handle on Breeders’ Cup’s 10-race Future Stars Friday card was $66,141,766, also a new record for a Breeders’ Cup Friday.
Must be present in KY and 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Breeders' Cup History
The idea for the Breeders' Cup was proposed at the 1982 awards luncheon for the Kentucky Derby Festival by pet food heir John R. Gaines, a leading thoroughbred owner and breeder who wanted to clean up the sport's image.
The Cup was initially faced with much skepticism in the racing community. However, with the vocal support of legendary trainer John Nerud and others, the Breeders' Cup was born, with tremendous popularity domestically and abroad. While the event was created as a year-end championship for North American Thoroughbred racing, it now attracts top horses from other parts of the world, especially Europe.
The races are operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. The first event was in 1984. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event. Starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. All sites have been in held the United States, except in the Woodbine Racetrack in Canada in 1996.
Past Breeders' Cup Winners
Here are the last five winners of the Breeders' Cup:
🥇 2022: Flightline (3-5)
🥇 2021: Knicks Go (5-2)
🥇 2020: Authentic (6-1)
🥇 2019: Vino Rosso (4-1)
🥇 2018: Accelerate (5-2)
Best Breeders' Cup Jockeys & Trainers in History
Darrell Wayne Lukas is the most successful Breeders' Cup trainer with 20 wins, while Mike Smith is by far the most decorated jockey at the meeting with 27 winners (eight more than anyone else):
🏆 Darrell Wayne Lukas: 20 wins
🏆 Bob Baffert: 18 wins
🏆 Aidan O'Brien: 16 wins
🏆 Chad Brown: 16 wins
🏆 Todd A. Pletcher: 14 wins
Six female trainers have won Breeders' Cup races, the first in 1996 when Jenine Sahadi won the Breeders' Cup Sprint with Lit de Justice. In 2009, Carla Gaines also won the Sprint with Dancing in Silks. In 2013 Kathy Ritvo became the first woman to train a Classic winner, Mucho Macho Man. More recently, Maria Borell saddled 2015 Sprint winner Runhappy.
Julie Krone became the first woman to win a Breeders' Cup race when she guided Halfbridled to a historic victory in the 2003 renewal of the Juvenile Fillies. Rosie Napravnik is the only other female rider to at the Breeders' Cup having scored in the Juvenile in 2012 on Shanghai Bobby and the Distaff in 2014 on Untapable.
Breeders' Cup Records
The Breeders' Cup has played host to some of the biggest stars in the sport of horse racing.
Several horses have won two Breeders' Cup races but only Tiznow (2000 & 2001) has won the Classic on two occasions. Mare Zenyatta, a Breeders' Cup Classic winner herself in 2009, has won more prize money ($4,680,000) at the two-day event than any other horse.
Indeed there have been some dominant Breeders' Cup performances over the years, but none more so than that of 1995 Distaff winner Inside Information. A 13.5-length success remains the biggest winning margin achieved by any horse at the meeting.
Must be present in KY and 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
2023 Breeders' Cup FAQ
The 2023 Breeders' Cup takes place over the weekend of Friday November 3 and into Saturday November 4. The 40th edition of the world championships of thoroughbred horse racing will take place at Santa Anita Park, California. 2024's race will be held in Del Mar, California.
The Breeders' Cup is a big deal because it's regarded as the World Championship of horse racing. Furthermore, the Classic is now seen by many as the unofficial fourth leg of the traditional Triple Crown. The race comes month after the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Yes, you can bet on the 2023 Breeders' Cup in all states that have legal pari-mutuel horse betting and at the track. Check your local regulations to make sure that you are eligible to place your wagers and redeem your winnings.
Arabian Knight and Arcangelo are the morning line odds favorites for the 2023 Breeders' Cup. Odds are available for many of the Breeders' Cup races, even at this stage of the year. Those odds will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook so it's best to shop around for the best value on any long-range fancies.
Arabian Knight (3-1) is the long-range favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic. Last year's Breeders' Cup Mile winner has to prove he can go two turns in a championship race but plenty think he will see the ten-furlong distance out fine.
Arabian Knight and Arcangelo are the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Classic, while Equinox is the favorite in the Turf. Emily Upjohn is one to watch in the Filly & Mare Turf. Paddington looks like a threat in the Mile, and Clairiere in the Distaff are just some of the long-range 2023 favorites. Remember, prices will vary across different sportsbooks.
The bigger the odds, the bigger the prize. Put your $100 Breeders' Cup wager on a $20 outsider and you will win a cool $2000! If you like to play safe and prefer to back a shortie, then a $100 bet on a $1.50 shot, like Flightline last year, and you will turn that $100 into $150.
NBC Sports is the home of the Breeders' Cup, and that's where you can catch all the action, including the Challenge Series races throughout the year. The two-day championship event will also be shown live on Peacock, USA Network, and FanDuel TV.
Flightline stole the show with a stunning eight-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Forte and the filly Wonder Wheel were the picks of the juvenile winners on the opening day while British raiders had a great time on Saturday thanks to Rebel's Romance, Modern Games (both Charlie Appleby) and Tuesday (Aidan O'Brien).
Chase Sessoms is a professional American thoroughbred horse racing handicapper and content creator. He's the host of The Notorious OTB podcast on The Sports Gambling Podcast Network, and has been the cohost of horse racing shows on AmericasBestRacing.Net as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
Exclusive Offer
First Bet on Caesars
Up to $1,000
Use Promo Code:
BETKY1000
Must be present in KY and 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
First Bet Safety Net
Up To $1,000
Use Promo Code:
BETKY
Must be 18+ to participate and present in KY. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. T&C’s and restrictions apply.
Up to
$1,500 in Bonus Bets
If Your First Bet Loses
Use Bonus Code:
BETKYCOM
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario.
Bet $5, Get
$150
If Your Bet WIns
21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER,
Bet $5, Get
$150 in Bonus Bets
If Your Bet Wins
+ 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
21+ and present in KY. Bonus issued in non-withdrawable bonus bets that expires 30 days after FanDuel accepts its first real money sports wager in KY (“9/28”). Unique user identity verification required. Offer ends on the Go Live Date. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
