One of the biggest horse racing events of the year is set to go down. The Breeders' Cup Classic runs for the 41st time on Saturday afternoon in San Diego, California with 14 horses competing for the $7 million purse. The two top horses headlining the field this year are City of Troy at 5/2 and Fierceness at 3-1.
City of Troy may be the favorite heading into this weekend, but the Breeders' Cup will present some uncharted territory for the horse. Despite an impressive resume that includes six wins in seven starts, City of Troy has never raced on turf, which it will do at Del Mar.
Fierceness entered the 2024 Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites but finished down in 15th. Still, the oddsmakers are giving Fierceness a good shot to wind up in the winner's circle at the Breeders' Cup. Trainer Todd Pletcher likes his horse's chance to take the title this weekend.
"Everything that the schedule that we laid out for him went according to plan," Pletcher told Ron Flatter Racing Pod. "We sort of left it a little open where we would do his final preparations. The weather really cooperated in Saratoga. He was thriving there and doing really well, so we decided to stay put and do all of his breezing there before shipping to California. Hopefully all that falls into place."
A couple more recognizable names in this year's Breeders' Cup are Sierra Leone (12-1) and Forever Young (6-1). People will remember them from a thrilling photo finish in which they finished second and third, respectively, at the Kentucky Derby.
Next (8-1) and Ushba Tesoro (12-1) are a couple more interesting horses to know heading into this one. This year, Next has won all four of its starts, and Ushba Tesoro is a seven-year-old from Japan with 35 career races on its resume.
Information on how to watch the 2024 Breeders' Cup, as well as post positions and odds, can be found below.
Where to watch 2024 Breeders' Cup
Date: Saturday, Nov. 2
Post time: 5:41 p.m. ET
Location: Del Mar Racetrack -- San Diego, California
TV: USA Network | Stream: fubo (try for free)
2024 Breeders' Cup post positions, odds
1. Forever Young (6-1)
2. Highland Falls (20-1)
3. City of Troy (5/2)
4. Mixto (30-1)
5. Senor Buscador (30-1)
6. Derma Sotogake (20-1)
7. Ushba Tesoro (12-1)
8. Pyrenees (30-1)
9. Fierceness (3-1)
10. Tapit Trice (30-1)
11. Sierra Leone (12-1)
12. Arthur's Ride (15-1)
13. Newgate (20-1)
14. Next (8-1)
Who wins the Breeders' Cup Classic 2024, and which longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling's picks for the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic, all from the expert who nailed the 2022 winner, and find out.
