Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks: Foreign Horses Among Best Bets 11/2

Headlining the field is European raider City of Troy, who brings his exemplary form to Del Mar. However, it’s always an open race, and U.S. charges Tapit Trice, Fierceness and Sierra Leone seek the upset.

It’s the highlight race at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, and we can’t wait.

Breeders’ Cup Classic Information

• Race: Breeders’ Cup Classic
• Date/Time: Nov. 2, 5:41 p.m. ET
• Location: Del Mar, California
• Live Stream: NBC

Top 3 Best Breeders’ Cup Classic Horses to Bet

1. City of Troy Stands Out

Breeders’ Cup Classic odds have City of Troy at +190, which is a fair price given his excellent form leading into this race.

The 3-year-old conditioned by master trainer Aidan O’Brien owns six wins from seven starts, with his only failure coming in the 2000 Guineas. However, he bounced back with wins in the Epsom Derby, Coral Eclipse and Juddmonte International.

Those are three of the biggest races in Europe, and he won the Juddmonte by a length against a top-quality field. That is a good form guide for the Classic, and our only worry is him handling the dirt track.

6 weeks until “City Of Troy” ( Justify) attempts to become the 2nd European Horse to win a Breeders Cup Classic Winner… He flew over to SouthWell racecourse to have a hit out on the dirt surface for his first time with Ryan Moore in the saddle 🇺🇸 @BreedersCup pic.twitter.com/2v697tCKBo

— Tom Magnier Coolmore (@TomMagnier) September 20, 2024

Europeans rarely run on dirt, so it’s interesting that O’Brien has chosen this race over the Breeders’ Cup Turf. However, we’re prepared to back his confidence, and the odds are too good to pass up.

He has been one of the biggest wagered horses in recent history with European bookmakers. They stand to lose massive sums if City of Troy wins, so expect his odds to firm on race day.

Bet on City of Troy (+190)

2. Fierceness Has Best Local Form

Fierceness is gunning for three consecutive wins having taken out the Jim Dandy Stakes before winning the Grade I Travers.

The Travers is usually a good form guide for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is why horse racing odds have him on the second line of betting at +400, which is an accurate price for the local chance.

The 3-year-old son of City of Light got the better of Thorpedo Anna and Sierra Leone in the Travers, and beating Sierra Leone adds weight to his chances of winning on Saturday at Del Mar.

Beating City of Troy will be hard, but he’s a dirt track specialist, and that can’t be overlooked. He is heading to stud soon, and having a Breeders’ Cup win on his record would increase his value.

“He is an outstanding physical specimen and has proven himself to be a champion on the dirt at both 2 and 3 years,” Ashford Stud manager Dermot Ryan said. “We’re tremendously excited to welcome Fierceness to Ashford be it this year or next.”

Bet on Fierceness (+400)

3. International Wins with Forever Young

Forever Young is one of the more accomplished horses in the field, owning wins in the Japan Dirt Classic, UAE Derby and Saudi Derby.

The Japanese-trained runner finished third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby behind Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone, so that form checks out well enough in the U.S., and he has only improved since.

Breeders’ Cup Classic betting odds have him at +550, and he’s an excellent each-way chance. He might not have the brilliance of City of Troy, but he’s a tough customer, and he has experience racing in the U.S.

A win wouldn’t be an upset, and with six wins from seven starts, he could be the closest rival to the favorite.

Bet on Forever Young (+550)

Questions of the Day

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.