Breeders Cup Betting
For those of you who are wondering how to bet on Breeders’ Cup races, you’ve come to the right place. One of the biggest single-event betting opportunities in the world, in 2023, the total wagering handle on all Breeders’ Cup races was more than $160 million. The chance to find a long-shot winner is always there, and part of what makes the Breeders’ Cup the favorite racing event for horseplayers.
It’s worth pointing out that there is a broad range of Breeders Cup betting options, from the Breeders Cup Classic to smaller races that take place throughout the two-day event. In terms of where you can bet on the Breeders Cup, there are many options available for Breeders Cup post positions and odds. Sportsbooks and oddsmakers always offer Breeders Cup betting challenges to boost the value of the market and give punters a unique chance to win even more!
Breeders' Cup Classic Odds and Future Bets
With the countdown on to Breeders' Cup weekend, the fields for the biggest race - the $7 million Classic - is starting to take shape. The Breeders Cup odds are normally released well ahead of the event, so be sure to check in with your favorite bookmaker to see what's available.
Several horses have already qualified for these two races through the Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' race series, which offers an automatic entry to horses that run first in selected races held in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
The favorite in most future books is City of Troy. The Epsom Derby winner tries dirt for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Classic, though he is a son of Triple Crown winner Justify. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has not yet won a Breeders' Cup Classic, though he came close with both Giant's Causeway and Declaration of War.
City of Troy is not the only live horse, and it is probably worth betting against him since he will be facing horses who are proven on dirt. Fierceness, the Travers Stakes winner, and Forever Young, the third-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, are popular alternatives in the wagering.
For those looking for longer shots, candidates include the speedy Arthur's Ride, the late-running Senor Buscador, or the marathon specialist Next, whose connections are considering shortening him up for the 1 1/4 miles of the Breeders' Cup Classic.
These are the Breeders' Cup odds for the top of the Classic market:
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Troy | +200 | TBA | +225 |
| Fierceness | +400 | TBA | +400 |
| Forever Young | +500 | TBA | +500 |
| Sierra Leone | +800 | TBA | +1000 |
| Highland Falls | +1200 | TBA | +1100 |
History of the Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup was run for the first time in 1984 at Hollywood Park, with the idea of bringing together the best horses in the world in each division of Thoroughbred racing. Many of the most important horses of the last
Since 2007, the Breeders' Cup has been a two-day festival. In 2018, the Breeders' Cup began its current structure of which races happen on Friday and Saturday.
The first day is Future Stars Friday, with five races for the leading 2-year-olds in each division: the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
The second day features eight races for horses aged three and up in addition to the Classic. Other major dirt races include the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Breeders' Cup Sprint, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Features on the lawn include the Breeders' Cup Turf, Breeders' Cup Mile, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
From a betting perspective, they all draw big fields and have the potential for long shots, so make sure to consider not only the favorites but also improving price horses, so you can get ready to claim your biggest payday of the year.
Breeders' Cup Race Details and TV Coverage
These are the details of all 14 races during the 2024 Breeders' Cup including the surfaces, distances, purses, television coverage, and major races from which contenders come.
| Race | Venue | Date | Inaugural Year | Distance | Surface | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juvenile Turf Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 2018 | 5 furlongs | Turf | $1 million |
| Juvenile Fillies | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/16 miles | Dirt | $2 million |
| Juvenile Fillies Turf | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 2008 | 1 mile | Turf | $1 million |
| Juvenile | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/16 miles | Dirt | $2 million |
| Juvenile Turf | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 2007 | 1 mile | Turf | $1 million |
| Dirt Mile | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 2007 | 1 mile | Dirt | $2 million |
| Turf Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 2008 | 5 furlongs | Turf | $1 million |
| Distaff | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/8 miles | Dirt | $2 million |
| Turf | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/2 miles | Turf | $5 million |
| Classic | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/4 miles | Dirt | $7 million |
| Filly & Mare Turf | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1999 | 1 3/8 miles | Turf | $2 million |
| Filly & Mare Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 2007 | 7 furlongs | Dirt | $1 million |
| Mile | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 mile | Turf | $2 million |
| Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 6 furlongs | Dirt | $2 million |
Wagering History of the Breeders' Cup
Betting on the Breeders' Cup is a can't-miss opportunity for any bettor, serious or recreational. Big fields make the Breeders' Cup betting challenge one of the toughest and most profitable of the year, with all but one of the 14 championship races averaging ten or more horses. Win payouts when you bet on track average over $10 for all but one of the races, and some of the races have even featured one or more triple-digit winners.
| Race | Average Field | Average Win Price | Record Win Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | 11 | $23.09 | $269.20 (Arcangues, 1993) |
| Distaff | 9 | $18.95 | $113.80 (Spain, 2000) |
| Dirt Mile | 10 | $18.34 | $77.40 (Dakota Phone, 2010) |
| Filly & Mare Sprint | 11 | $22.34 | $135.40 (Bar of Gold, 2017) |
| Filly & Mare Turf | 12 | $20.34 | $94.00 (Shared Account, 2010) |
| Juvenile | 12 | $18.73 | $93.80 (Storm the Court, 2019) |
| Juvenile Fillies | 11 | $20.80 | $125.40 (Take Charge Brandi, 2014) |
| Juvenile Fillies Turf | 14 | $16.41 | $29.60 (Sharing, 2019) |
| Juvenile Turf | 13 | $17.60 | $62.40 (Fire at Will, 2020) |
| Juvenile Turf Sprint | 12 | $9.31 | $15.84 (Mischief Magic, 2022) |
| Mile | 13 | $23.65 | $148.40 (Order of Australia, 2020) |
| Sprint | 12 | $20.06 | $54.60 (Sheikh Albadou, 1991) |
| Turf | 12 | $19.53 | $106.80 (Lashkari, 1984) |
| Turf Sprint | 14 | $27.65 | $87.78 (Caravel, 2022) |
Best Racebooks to bet on the Breeders' Cup
You can maximize your profit on the Breeders' Cup by playing the races at our recommended online racebooks. In addition to market-leading odds and trusted payouts, each of these sites have bonuses and features that benefit different bettors most. So, take some time now to figure out which site is best for you, and get ready to maximize your Breeders' Cup profits.
These are the best places to bet the Breeders' Cup online.
Bovada
Bovada is one of the oldest and most trusted online betting sites. It offers horse racing betting, sports betting, and online casino games, so you can do all your wagering in one place. With excellent customer service and low bonus rollovers, Bovada is an excellent choice for many players.
BetUS
BetUS offers a wide range of online betting options including a racebook, sportsbook, and online poker room. With deposit bonuses, referral bonuses, promotions, insurance bonuses, and contests, BetUS is a particularly good site for recreational players who play at lower stakes.
BetOnline
BetOnline offers horse racing, sports, and casino betting online. With one of the biggest sign-up bonuses in the online sports betting space, it is an excellent place to get started, especially if you bet sports in addition to horse racing and casino games.
Breeders' Cup Frequently Asked Questions
These are answers to frequently asked questions about betting on the Breeders' Cup.
When and where is the Breeders' Cup?
The Breeders' Cup is usually in late October or early November, and it moves to different tracks each year. In 2024, the Breeders' Cup happens on November 1 and 2 at Del Mar Racetrack in southern California.
Why should I bet on the Breeders' Cup?
The Breeders' Cup is a two-day festival with the best races of the American Thoroughbred racing year in each of 14 divisions. Since each race draws a full field of classy and competitive horses, there are always live long shots, horses who can be just as good as the short-priced favorites but at two, three, ten, or more times the price if you look deeply enough into the past performances and the race shape.
What is the Breeders' Cup betting menu?
The Breeders' Cup offers the same wagers you see on horse races all year long. You can bet individual horses to win, place, or show. You can also bet intra-race exotics like exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and Super High Fives, as well as multi-race bets like the Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6. In addition, the Breeders' Cup offers special wagers available only during the world championships, such as two-day Daily Doubles with races on Friday and Saturday, an all-turf Pick 3, an all-turf Pick 4, and an all-dirt Pick 4.
Can I bet on the Breeders' Cup online?
Yes, it is safe, legal, and easy to bet on the Breeders' Cup online! Betting the Breeders' Cup online is convenient since you can do it anywhere with an internet connection, from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. And, online betting sites also offer a full range of bets, including futures, fixed-odds wagering, and props that you won't find at the track.
Where can I find out the best places to bet on the Breeders' Cup online?
We are here to help you do exactly that. Our online betting experts have all of the information you need to understand the strengths of each online betting site and choose the most profitable place to bet on the Breeders' Cup. Make sure to check our reviews for expert information about what kinds of wagers and incentives are offered by trusted betting sites, and then sign up for the site that fits your needs the best.