Breeders' Cup: Here are 10 horses you can count on

Whether it be multi-race horizontal wagers or single-race vertical wagers, a key to success to winning wagering dollars at Breeders’ Cup 2024 at Del Mar will be having horses you can count on to turn in a strong performance.

They will not all win, but the following list of 10 horses set to run at the world championships, all are horses I believe very likely to run their race on the big stage.

They will vary in odds greatly. and some are more likely to fill out the exotics than take home the top spot. But this group should fire consistently. Note that Friday Breeders’ Cup races are not included on this list because I believe the 2-year-olds are too lightly raced to count on yet.

Forever Young, Breeders’ Cup Classic. With City of Troy and Fierceness likely vying for favoritism, I expect this Japan-based raider to offer excellent value. He also is the most likely winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Trained by one of the world’s best, the son of Real Steel is proven at the distance but also has the tactical speed to secure a good spot early. The winner of 6-of-7 lifetime travels well and has been freshened and prepped perfectly with this race in mind.

More Than Looks, Breeders’ Cup Mile.- After two straight losses behind Carl Spackler to start the season, this Cherie DeVaux-trained runner will not be expected to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and he probably won’t. Having said that, things should set up a lot better for his closing style here, and I consider him one of the most likely horses of the entire weekend to fill out the exotics. His form cycle is ideal, and the confirmed stretch runner ran well last year in the Mile as a 3-year-old.

National Treasure, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. After losing by a nose to Cody’s Wish in this race last year, I fully expect another strong race from this classy colt from the Bob Baffert barn. The three-time Grade 1 winner has run numerous good races during his career, including at Del Mar, and fails to fire only when taken off the lead. I think they know by now that he must be out there early. Look for him to be hustled out of the gate and a handful to overtake from there.

Porta Fortuna, Breeders’ Cup Mile. With the presence of Notable Speech and Carl Spackler, I do not expect this sophomore filly to go favored in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. That is probably a mistake. An excellent second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last year, she has developed into one of the best milers in the world this year. She has good tactical speed and a turn of foot that often wins this race. I like her best, but even if she does not win, I would be surprised if she wasn’t right in the mix at the wire.

Rebel’s Romance, Breeders’ Cup Turf. It’s not easy to be far and away the class of a Breeders’ Cup race, but I think this globetrotting star would qualify. The winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf as a 4-year-old, he comes into this year’s event better than ever now at 6. The winner of over $9 million in career earnings likes firm turf and is best at 12 furlongs. Trainer Charlie Appleby has a great record at the Breeders' Cup, and it looks like that will continue with a horse who is just better than everyone else. With 14 wins in 21 career races all over the world, I fully expect another strong performance on Nov. 2.

Remake, Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Look for several of the Americans to take the majority of betting money, so this Japan-based runner should have attractive odds. Already proven against world-class sprinters, this son of Lani has put together a strong record at six furlongs. He also will get a very strong pace to run into in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint. I will play him in both the top spot and to fill out the exotics. But considering the value, I see him as a horse very likely to run well and a must play.

Thorpedo Anna, Breeders’ Cup Distaff. After a closer-than-expected win in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes last month, I think that there will be serious doubt about her ability to beat older in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. That’s great because the Kenny McPeek-trained filly is for real, and I believe she will prove that in a few weeks. Training great at Saratoga, I am expecting her to be ready to fire another big shot, like she did when just missing against the best of the 3-year-old males in the Travers (G1). I expect her to be a strong horse-of-the-year player after this one.

Truly Quality, Breeders’ Cup Turf. He lands below Rebel’s Romance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but this son of Quality Road is still a must play for me. Consistent but a cut below at 3, he really has come to hand for trainer Jonathan Thomas. All of his races this year are good, and you can see him getting better by the start. He also appreciates firm turf and 12 furlongs. The closing fractions in his last two stakes wins are very impressive. He won’t be bet this way, but I see him as the best of the Americans.

Vahva, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Coming off a defeat in the Ballerina (G1), this consistent daughter of Gun Runner could be the forgotten filly in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. A real pro at the tricky seven-furlong distance, you can have confidence using her in the exotics a week from Saturday. Even when she doesn’t fire her best, as in the Ballerina, she still gets a piece and usually bounces back with a strong effort. I expect her to do that again here and be right there on the big stage.

War Like Goddess, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. A close third in this race three years ago, she faced the males the last two years because of distance concerns. Back at Del Mar and 11 furlongs, look for this veteran to have her best shot yet at Breeders’ Cup glory. She not only will get a distance she likes, but she also will get a strong pace to set the table for her late run. At the age of 7, it’s apparent that the consistent mare has not lost a step. The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf should set up well for a mare who has been all quality since day one.