Breeders’ Cup 2025 will not cut off computer bettors

Saying its big pools have been immune to last-click odds changes, the Breeders’ Cup will not follow Del Mar’s three-month-old policy of cutting off computer-assisted wagers two minutes before its championship races at the track Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

“Fortunately, due to the substantial liquidity in our multimillion-dollar wagering pools, the late odds fluctuations that frustrate horseplayers have not been an issue at the world championships, including last year at Del Mar,” a Breeders’ Cup spokesperson said Thursday.

HorseCenter: Analyzing Breeders’ Cup 2025 dirt races.

Del Mar will continue to enforce the two-minute warning during its fall-meet races starting Oct. 30, according to Daily Racing Form.

The track won approval Thursday in Sacramento from the California Horse Racing Board to raise its Pick 6 minimum bet from $1 to $2 starting with the fall meet. That increase will not affect the Breeders’ Cup, which will maintain the $1 minimum this year.

Del Mar’s Pick 6 takeout will stay at nearly 24% as will most other pools. The main exceptions will be the early Pick 5 at 14% and the win-place-show, late double and late Pick 3 at or near 15%  

The CHRB heard a report that handle was lower across California this year. All-sources wagering between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 reached $1.98 billion, a 5% decline from the same period last year, according to documents filed with the CHRB. Most of the drop was from the 14% fall in on-track wagers.