Breeders’ Cup Classic Highlights World Championships At Del Mar

Sierrs Leone hopes to become just the second repeat winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 1

Lou Hodges

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup will be as advertised. Listed as “The World Thoroughbred Championships”, this rendition will be exactly that. On November 1, runners from five different continents will descend on Del Mar with eyes on the big prize. North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa will all be represented during this nine-race extravaganza. With each race carrying grade 1 status and at least $1 million in prize money the stakes will be rather high. As a comparison for the everyday sports fan, the Cup is like nine New Year’s Day bowl games with all the heavyweights knocking heads.

Since its inception in 1984 the Cup has grown in both size and stature around the world. The 2025 rendition promises to offer perhaps the highest level of competition yet. With an average of 12 entrants in the 9 races and the best of the best involved, these four-legged phenoms promise to send the adrenaline meter skyrocketing.

The crown jewel of the Breeders’ Cup is the Classic. Offering a hefty Luis Vutton-like $7 million purse, this race has long been regarded as a deciding factor for the title of “best racehorse in the world”. Let’s take a look at the nine entrants in this “Super Bowl” and provide a thought on each. The entrants will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Classic is carded as race 9 with an expected post time of 5:25 central time.

1 Fierceness (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez 5-2)- Winner of over $5 million on the track has looked brilliant at times. Finished a strong second in this race last year and is coming in off a win in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on August 30. Absolutely a major player here.

2 Baeza (John Shirreffs, Hector Barrios 10-1) A blossoming three-year-old that looked strong in winning the Pennsylvania Derby in his last start. Has only two career wins but has been in the top three in all eight starts. Worth a look in your exotics.

3 Nevada Beach (Bob Baffert, Mike Smith 20-1)-The fact a Bob Baffert trained horse is 20-1 speaks of the depth of this race. Brought along slowly, this son of Omaha Beach has won three of four lifetime starts including the Goodwood Stakes in his last start. Never count out Big Race Bob in these situations.

4 Contrary Thinking (Chad Brown, Florent Geroux 50-1)– The least accomplished horse in the field is thought to be a rabbit and table setter for the other Chad Brown trainee. Regardless, he is here and as is this case with all, has a chance. It would, however, be Contrary Thinking if you thought he would win.

5 Forever Young (Yoshito Yahagi, Susumu Fujita 7-2) Japan has enjoyed a lot of success across the globe in recent years but have yet to win this one. A closing third place finish in this race last year and a powerful score in this year’s Saudi Cup makes us think he is better than ever and the one here.

7 Sierra Leone (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat 7-2) After being the bridesmaid in the Kentucky Derby last year and finishing third in the Belmont and Travers, this son of Gun Runner proved to be best in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Repeating in any grade one race is tough and only Tiznow (2000, 2001) has done it here. Having finished in the top three in all thirteen lifetime starts he is a must use in your exotics and we wouldn’t be shocked if he wears the blanket of flowers again.

8 Mindframe (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. 6-1)- This son of Constitution might be the value play in the race. Won back to back grade 1 races (Churchill Downs Stakes, Stephen Foster before throwing his rider in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Except for his last start, has never been worse than second in seven previous runs. A real player.

9 Journalism (Michael McCarthy, Jose Ortiz 5-1)- Runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, winner of the Santa Anita Derby and Preakness means he is battle tested. His second-place finish in the Pacific Classic lacked his usual closing kick, but we know the talent is top-notch. As is the case with most of the rest, he has a real shot here.

10 Antiquarian (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez 10-1)- Another Todd Pletcher trained horse that is coming in in good form. Was victorious in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in his last start and has been first or second in seven of nine lifetime starts. Water is a little deeper here, but his jockey is always live.