Breeders' Cup Classic 2021: Odds, picks, free PPs and more
The horses who have shaped racing in 2021 are ready to battle it out.
Knicks Go is the veteran speedball who dusted fields in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Whitney Stakes (G1). Essential Quality is the Belmont and Travers (G1) winner who has turned back rivals in thrilling stretch duels. Hot Rod Charlie is the gritty Belmont runner-up who broke through in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Medina Spirit is the modestly bred Kentucky Derby winner whose failed post-race drug test cast a cloud over his rise from $1,000 purchase to multimillionaire.
And then there is the trio of Art Collector, Max Player, and Tripoli – all Grade 1 heroes, all trying to outrun their odds.
It is the race that fans have anticipated all season.
Knicks Go is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Post time from Del Mar is 8:40 p.m. EDT, with NBC broadcasting the 1 1/4-mile event for 3-and-up runners.
Click here for Del Mar entries and results.
Trained by Brad Cox, Knicks Go already has a Breeders’ Cup victory to his name from last year’s Dirt Mile at Keeneland. The 5-year-old son of Paynter is 4-for-4 this year at two turns and will have jockey Joel Rosario aboard Saturday.
One of Knicks Go’s chief challengers will be stablemate Essential Quality (3-1), who makes his first start since turning back Midnight Bourbon by a neck in the Travers. The Godolphin homebred is 8-for-9 and returns to the Breeders’ Cup after taking the 2020 Juvenile.
“Both horses have had great years,” said Cox, who is aiming for his first Classic triumph. “Hopefully we can add to their resume at Breeders’ Cup Saturday.”
Hot Rod Charlie (4-1) edged Essential Quality for third in the Kentucky Derby behind Medina Spirit and Mandaloun, then was a game second to Essential Quality in a classic Belmont battle. His trainer, Doug O’Neill, also is trying for his first Breeders’ Cup Classic score.
Trainer Bob Baffert is a four-time Classic winner thanks to Authentic (2020), Arrogate (2016), American Pharoah (2015) and Bayern (2014). He aims for No. 5 with Medina Spirit (4-1) who, like the rest of Baffert’s Breeders’ Cup runners, has endured extra testing and protocols this week due to post-Derby fallout.
Art Collector (8-1) is 3-for-3 since moving to trainer Bill Mott’s barn and enters off a Woodward Stakes (G1) score. Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) hero Max Player (8-1) runs Saturday at the track where Gun Runner took the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic for his trainer, Steve Asmussen. Tripoli (15-1) already owns a Grade 1 win going 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar this season thanks to his Pacific Classic score.
Filling out the field for this $6 million, Grade 1 showcase are two-time Grade 2 victor Express Train (20-1) and stakes-winning gelding Stilleto Boy (30-1).
Here is a look at the field for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic (trainer and jockey in parentheses) with morning-line odds:
1. Tripoli (John Sadler, Irad Ortiz Jr.), 15-1
2. Express Train (John Shirreffs, Victor Espinoza), 20-1
3. Hot Rod Charlie (Doug O’Neill, Flavien Prat), 4-1
4. Essential Quality (Brad Cox, Luis Saez), 3-1
5. Knicks Go (Brad Cox, Joel Rosario), 5-2
6. Art Collector (Bill Mott, Mike Smith), 8-1
7. Stilleto Boy (Ed Moger Jr., Kent Desormeaux), 30-1
8. Medina Spirit (Bob Baffert, John Velazquez), 4-1
9. Max Player (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana Jr.), 8-1
TimeformUS’ pace projections show Knicks Go setting the pace as usual, followed by 3-year-olds Hot Rod Charlie and Medina Spirit. Essential Quality is projected to sit at the rear of the field early on and hope for a lively pace.
Visit Horse Racing Nation’s free past performances page for more information on both the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Distaff.
Breeders’ Cup Classic links
HRN staffers make expert picks for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Trainer Brad Cox likes the idea of “California speed,” and the Kentucky-based trainer goes west to Del Mar with the speed of the speed in Breeders’ Cup Classic favorite Knicks Go.
Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis go head to head handicapping the Breeders’ Cup Classic. They both land on one of trainer Brad Cox’s stars atop their tickets.
See why Reinier Macatangay thinks Knicks Go is one of three big Breeders’ Cup favorites that could lose Saturday.
The Breeders’ Cup notes team offered final updates Friday on Saturday’s contenders, including the Classic contingent.
Saturday likely will be the final time we see many of these Breeders’ Cup participants on the track, but Hot Rod Charlie is expected to return in 2022. Trainer Doug O’Neill identified races on the horizon for the Pennsylvania Derby winner.
Cox, Chad Brown, Bill Mott and Mike Smith all joined the Ron Flatter Racing Pod to discuss their runners this weekend at Del Mar. Las Vegas bookmakers also joined the podcast to handicap the day’s action.
Mott is preparing Art Collector for his biggest test in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The colt has “developed nicely” since switching barns this summer.
Smith scored the 27th Breeders’ Cup victory of his career Friday aboard Corniche in the Juvenile. He gets the call on Art Collector in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
HorseCenter hosts Matt Shifman and Brian Zipse analyze Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup card and offer suggested wagers for the day’s races.
Max Player is one of trainer Steve Asmussen’s six Breeders’ Cup contenders. He already won a race Friday at the World Championships thanks to Echo Zulu in the Juvenile Fillies.
Breeders’ Cup Classic hopefuls Hot Rod Charlie and Max Player are among Keeler Johnson’s 17 watch list runners competing Saturday. Johnson also looks back at the five fastest Classic winners.
Breeders’ Cup Classic card
Here is a look at each of the races on Saturday’s card at Del Mar. All post times are EDT.
1:15 p.m. – Allowance optional claiming, 3-and-up, 1 1/16 miles (turf), TVG
One Fast Bro (3-1) aims to start Saturday’s action at Del Mar with a victory for trainer Shelbe Ruis. Jockey Joe Bravo will get a leg up on the 4-year-old Coil gelding, who won a one-mile turf allowance race at Del Mar three starts back. Leonard Powell trains Dicey Mo Chara (7-2), third last out at this level at Santa Anita. Via Egnatia (5-1) enters off a claiming score for trainer Richard Baltas and is in for a $40,000 tag.
1:50 p.m. – $250,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2), 3-and-up, 1 5/8 miles, TVG
Lone Rock (6-5), under jockey Ramon Vazquez, leads this showcase for dirt marathoners on the Breeders’ Cup undercard. The 6-year-old Majestic Warrior gelding has found a niche at these distances for trainer Robertino Diodoro, with his seasonal highlight a Brooklyn Stakes (G2) score on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Richard Mandella trains Tizamagician (8-5), who won going 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar in the Cougar II Stakes (G3). Locally Owned (6-1) runs here for trainer Tom Morley off a win in Belmont Park’s Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational Stakes.
2:25 p.m. – $300,000 Goldikova Stakes (G2), 3-and-up fillies and mares, one mile (turf), TVG
Princess Grace (8-5) puts a 6-for-7 career mark on the line for trainer Michael Stidham. The 4-year-old Karakontie filly already owns a Grade 2 score at Del Mar this year in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap and will have jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard Saturday. Going Global (9-5) also owns a local graded stakes win in 2021, having won the Del Mar Oaks (G1) for trainer Phil D’Amato. Brendan Walsh trains Zofelle (6-1), who seeks her first victory since winning Gulfstream Park’s Marshua’s River Stakes (G3) to start the year.
3:05 p.m. – $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), 3-and-up fillies and mares, seven furlongs, NBCSN
Gamine (3-5) won this event in 2020 for trainer Bob Baffert and is back as the heavy favorite in a field of only five starters. Jockey John Velazquez will pilot the 4-year-old Into Mischief filly, whose 9-for-10 career record includes a last-out Saratoga score in the Ballerina Handicap (G1). Rudy Rodriguez trains Bella Sofia (5-2), who enters off back-to-back wins in Saratoga’s Test Stakes (G1) and Parx’s Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2). The Michael McCarthy-trained Ce Ce (4-1) won two Grade 1 races in 2020 and took Santa Anita’s Chillingworth Stakes (G3) in her most recent start.
Related: Rodriguez on facing Gamine: 'Everybody's got a chance'
3:40 p.m. – $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), 3-and-up, five furlongs (turf), NBCSN
Golden Pal (7-2) is another 2020 Breeders’ Cup winner back in 2021 after taking the Juvenile Turf Sprint last year for trainer Wesley Ward. The 3-year-old Uncle Mo colt enters off a Keeneland win in the Woodford Stakes (G2) and will have jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. up Saturday. Trainer Rusty Arnold enters Gear Jockey (5-1), who clinched a spot in this field with a Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint Stakes (G3) victory. Emaraaty Ana (5-1) makes a North American debut for trainer Kevin Ryan off a Group 1 score at Haydock Park.
Related: Arnold looks for first Breeders' Cup win with Gear Jockey
4:19 p.m. – $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), 3-and-up, one mile, NBCSN
Life Is Good (4-5) returns to Southern California, where he started his career, as odds-on favorite in this race for trainer Todd Pletcher. Ortiz Jr. will pilot the 3-year-old Into Mischief colt, who prepped with a comfortable win in Belmont’s Kelso Handicap (G2). The Steve Asmussen-trained Silver State (7-2) has already won arguably racing’s most prestigious dirt mile, taking the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont. Ginobili (4-1) has won each of his last two starts for Baltas, both at Del Mar, including the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2).
4:59 p.m. – $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), 3-and-up fillies and mares, 1 3/8 miles (turf), NBCSN
War Like Goddess (7-2) runs for a fifth straight victory and seventh overall in eight career starts for trainer Bill Mott. Jockey Julien Leparoux will ride the 4-year-old English Channel filly, winner of Saratoga’s Flower Bowl Stakes (G1) in her most recent race. Aidan O’Brien trains Love (4-1), a five-time Group 1 winner set for her first start in the U.S. Also making a North American debut Saturday is Loves Only You (4-1), a standout in Japan for trainer Yoshito Yahagi.
Related: British expert offers best Euro, Japanese plays
5:38 p.m. – $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), 3-and-up, six furlongs, NBCSN
Jackie’s Warrior (6-5) disappointed as odds-on favorite in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but has been top of his division in 2021 at one turn. Asmussen trains and jockey Joel Rosario will pilot the 3-year-old Maclean’s Music colt, winner of Saratoga’s H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1). Trainer Mark Glatt enters Dr. Schivel (4-1), who sports a pair of local Grade 1 wins in the 2020 Del Mar Futurity and 2021 Bing Crosby Stakes. Special Reserve (6-1) prepped for the Breeders’ Cup with a Keeneland score in the Phoenix Stakes (G2) for trainer Mike Maker.
Related: Why Breen likes Firenze Fire's chances in Sprint |
At 88, Dr. Schivel co-owner Cohen is at the top of his game
6:20 p.m. – $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), 3-and-up, one mile (turf), NBCSN
Space Blues (3-1) arrives in North America off a Group 1 win at Longchamp for trainer Charlie Appleby. Jockey William Buick will get a leg up on the 5-year-old son of Dubawi. The shortest-priced local hope is Mo Forza (5-1), winner of four straight races, all in Grade 2 flight, for trainer Peter Miller. Trainer Paulo Lobo’s In Love (8-1) earned his way into this event by winning the Keeneland Turf Mile (G1).
Related: Hit the Road is scratched from the Breeders' Cup Mile
7 p.m. – $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), 3-and-up fillies and mares, 1 1/8 miles, NBCSN
Letruska (8-5) has towered over this division all season, racking up wins in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), and Spinster Stakes (G1). The 5-year-old Super Saver mare aims to chalk up another Grade 1 score under Ortiz Jr. for trainer Fausto Gutierrez. Kentucky Oaks heroine Malathaat, trained by Pletcher, runs for the first time since winning the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Brad Cox trains Shedaresthedevil (4-1), who recorded a win over this surface in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1).
Related: Taking a Stand: The case against Letruska in the Distaff | Shedaresthedevil set for likely final race
7:40 p.m. – $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), 3-and-up, 1½ miles (turf), NBCSN
Tarnawa (9-5) will attempt to become the first horse since Conduit in 2008-09 to win consecutive editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Dermot Weld trains the 5-year-old Shamardal mare, who enters off second-place finishes in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) and will have jockey Colin Keane aboard Saturday. Another European shipper is Teona (6-1), a Group 1 winner last out at Longchamp for trainer Roger Varian. The shortest-priced U.S. runner is Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) hero Gufo (8-1) for trainer Christophe Clement.