Tipsheet: 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic

A sensational cast of 15, with one being an also-eligible entrant, will travel 1 1/4 miles over the Del Mar dirt in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday. They'll seek to join a roster of Classic winners highlighted by racing legends such as American Pharoah, Cigar, and Zenyatta.

RELATED: 2024 Breeders' Cup News and Notes

Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks

• #12 Arthur’s Ride
• #7 Ushba Tesoro
• #3 City of Troy
• #1 Forever Young 
• #11 Sierra Leone

Breeders’ Cup Classic Wagers

• $20 win and place #12 Arthur’s Ride
• $5 exacta key box 12 with 1,3,7
• $1 trifecta 12 with 1,3,7 with ALL

Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders

#1 FOREVER YOUNG (6-1): Once-beaten Japanese import gets a tricky post on the rail but gave a fine account of himself when an unlucky third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) in his lone run on U.S. soil. The son of Real Steel was a measured winner in his prep for Saturday at Tokyo City last out, and his best showing will find him in the mix late with regular rider Ryusei Sakai in the silks.

#2 HIGHLAND FALLS (20-1): Godolphin homebred ran the best race of his life when annexing the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga in his latest performance for trainer Brad Cox. The chestnut son of Curlin has trained swiftly in the interim, and the four-year-old rates as a top-four finisher with even slight improvement off of this latest outing. Luis Saez inherits the mount. 

#3 CITY OF TROY (5-2): Fantastic son of Justify comes in with a three-race win streak, all in Group 1 events, and he will try the dirt for the first time. Aidan O’Brien pupil checks almost all of the boxes, and if he thrives on the surface change, then the sophomore will be formidable in his stateside bow with the superb Ryan Moore in the silks. 

#4 MIXTO (30-1): Doug O’Neill pupil earned a hefty 108 Brisnet Speed number in his Pacific Classic (G1) tally on the course in his latest endeavor and will be a contender with a repeat of that race. Good Magic colt had never run that fast in the past, however, and he didn’t beat a classy field in his signature win to date, so I will let him beat me on Saturday. 

#5 SENOR BUSCADOR (30-1): Saudi Cup (G1) star has not been in peak form since returning from a pair of races in the desert, and his deep-closing style might not be ideal for a race that lacks an abundance of pace. The $12 million earner will have Joel Rosario in the controls. 

#6 DERMA SOTOGAKE (20-1): Grade 2 winner was a fine runner-up in the 2023 Classic at Santa Anita for conditioner Hidetaka Otonashi. The four-year-old chestnut will run with blinkers on, and while others appear to be more likely in the field, I can still envision the colt rallying for a minor award with his top performance. Christophe Lemaire has the call. 

#7 USHBA TESORO (12-1): Top-class seven-year-old was a solid fifth, beaten by 3 1/4 lengths, in this race last campaign, and I expect him to improve off of that this season. Runner-up in both the Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1) this year, the son of Orfevre had a great prep run for the Classic and is among the top late runners in the cast. The Noboru Takagi trainee will have Yuga Kawada taking the reins. 

#8 PYRENEES (30-1): Into Mischief colt has been very good with four wins and two seconds since December. The Grade 3 victor from the sizzling Cherie DeVaux barn appears to be a cut below the best in this particular spot, however. Brian Hernandez Jr. will be in the irons. 

#9 FIERCENESS (3-1): Champion son of City of Light was last seen eclipsing the Travers S. (G1) for Todd Pletcher and will be a forward presence on Saturday. A three-time Grade 1 star, he is reportedly training in his typical fine fashion, and the bay can run with any horse on his best day. John Velazquez stays in the silks atop the accomplished colt. 

#10 TAPIT TRICE (30-1): Grade 1 victor enters the Classic off of a game score in the Woodward S. (G2) at Aqueduct for Pletcher. The long-striding son of Tapit faces a much more daunting task on Saturday, though, and he would be a surprise to me despite the presence of Irad Ortiz Jr. in the silks. 

#11 SIERRA LEONE (12-1): Consistently good son of Gun Runner comes in off of a well-earned rest and seems poised to run his best race for Chad Brown. The $2.3 million yearling purchase has never finished out of the money in his eight career assignments, and I expect him to be passing a lot of runners in the stretch with Flavien Prat on board once again. 

#12 ARTHUR’S RIDE (15-1): Upset pick is the potential pacesetter in the field, and I expect him to parlay a great trip into a victory under Junior Alvarado. The Whitney S. (G1) romper still has room to improve with just eight lifetime runs to his credit, and I love that he got in a local morning move to get acclimated to Del Mar as well. Tapit colt will be flashing his natural early foot from the opening bell for conditioner Bill Mott. 

#13 NEWGATE (20-1): Santa Anita H. (G1) victor comes off a fine third-place effort in the California Crown (G1) at the Great Race Place and can’t be overlooked despite being assigned a wider post slot. The four-year-old son of Into Mischief will be equipped with blinkers on Saturday and has the tactical speed to avoid a horrific voyage in the contest with Frankie Dettori picking up the ride. 

#14 NEXT (8-1): Superstar marathoner has dominated his foes by a combined 52 1/4 lengths from four 2024 appearances and will cut back in distance for Doug Cowans. The gray son of Not This Time continues to train forwardly and will be a major factor if the 1 1/4-mile distance is to his liking. Luan Machado will pilot the fantastic gelding. 

#15 RATTLE N ROLL (Also-Eligible) (30-1): Kenny McPeek charge needs a defection to draw into the field, and even if he does, the five-year-old son of Connect would be a big surprise from the far outside beneath Jose Ortiz.