How to Bet on the Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are the pinnacle of thoroughbred horse racing, offering bettors a thrilling opportunity for enthusiasts to engage in betting. We will show you how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup, covering everything from understanding odds to strategic betting strategies.

What is the Breeders Cup?

Inaugurated in 1984, the Breeders’ Cup is paramount in the thoroughbred horse racing world. It was designed to be a grand finale for the horse racing season, showcasing the sport’s elite.

This concept was the brainchild of John Gaines, a notable figure in the thoroughbred breeding and ownership sphere. His vision was to create an annual summit, drawing together exceptional thoroughbreds from diverse backgrounds and crown horse racing champions in a climactic end to the season.

The Breeders’ Cup distinguishes itself with its impressive prize money, consistently ranking it among the wealthiest horse racing events globally. Combined race purses typically surpass $30 million, with the meeting traditionally scheduled in the fall each year.

The location of the Breeders’ Cup rotates among various major venues in the United States (and was even held in Canada once). Notable racetracks that have hosted the event include Churchill Downs, Santa Anita Park, and Belmont Park. Each course brings unique challenges and characteristics, adding to the event’s allure.

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Breeders’ Cup Races

The World Championships meet today sees 14 races take place during this two-day event. Usually held on the first Friday and Saturday in November, the opening day is all about five races exclusively for 2-year-old horses. The remaining nine Grade Is including the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which acts as the event’s centerpiece, happen the following day.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

• Inaugurated: 2018
• Race Distance: 1,000m or 1,100m (5 furlongs or 5.5 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $1,000,000
• Top Jockey: Irad Ortiz (2019, 2020, 2021)
• Winningest Trainer: Wesley Ward (2019, 2020, 2021)

As one of the newer races at the World Championships, the Juvenile Sprint is for young thoroughbreds who are pure speed. Recent editions have seen English trainers successfully cross the pond with some of their fastest horses.

NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

• Inaugurated: 1984
• Race Distance: 1,700m (a mile and half-a-furlong or 8.5 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $2,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Mike Smith (2008, 2015, 2017) & Joel Rosario (2018, 2020, 2021)
• Winningest Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas (1985, 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005. 2014)

One of the original Breeders’ Cup races, the Juvenile Fillies event is restricted by the gender of the horses. It has paid for bettors to follow jockey Joel Rosario’s rides in recent years.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

• Inaugurated: 2008
• Race Distance: 1,600m (a mile or 8 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $1,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Javier Castellano (2016, 2017), Irad Ortiz (2014, 2018) & Florent Geroux (2015, 2020)
• Winningest Trainer: Chad Brown (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023)

Another females only event, the Juvenile Fillies Turf race is one where American trainers have socked it to European challengers. This mile event is one that the Chad Brown barn has had loads of success in.

FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

• Inaugurated: 1984
• Race Distance: 1,700m (a mile and half-a-furlong or 8.5 furlongs) [since 1988]
• Prize Purse: $2,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Laffit Pincay (1985, 1986, 1988), Jerry Bailey (1996, 1998, 2000) & Mike Smith (1995, 2002, 2021)
• Winningest Trainers: D. Wayne Lukas (1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1996) & Bob Baffert (2002, 2008, 2013, 2018, 2021)

Won by such equine luminaries as Street Sense, Uncle Mo and Nyquist, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile dirt race for colts and geldings is joint-top of the bill on day one of the World Championships. The Todd Pletcher barn has enjoyed back-to-back successes here.

Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

• Inaugurated: 2007
• Race Distance: 1,600m (a mile or 8 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $1,000,000
• Top Jockey: Ryan Moore (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023)
• Winningest Trainer: Aidan O’Brien (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023)

Traditionally the last of the Breeders’ Cup races on the opening is the Juvenile Turf turf race in which British and Irish trainers boast such a strong record. Anything sent across the pond by Charlie Appleby, John Gosden or Aidan O’Brien commands respect. Focusing on those stables is exactly how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup successfully.

Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

• Inaugurated: 2007
• Race Distance: 1,600m (a mile or 8 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $1,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Five riders have two wins each
• Winningest Trainers: Jerry Hollendorfer (2010, 2017), Todd Pletcher (2015, 2021) & William Mott (2022, 2023)

The Dirt Mile race at the World Championships was put on the map by Goldencents backing up in 2013 and 2014. It can set horses up for the following year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic if they stay in training. Cody’s Wish enhanced the fine record of older thoroughbreds with consecutive victories aged 4 and 5 in the last couple of years.

Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

• Inaugurated: 1999
• Race Distance: 1,800m, 1,900m, 2,000m or 2,200m (9 furlongs, 9.5 furlongs, a mile and a quarter or 11 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $2,000,000
• Top Jockeys: John Velazquez (2002, 2011, 2018) & Frankie Dettori (2006, 2016, 2023)
• Winningest Trainer: Chad Brown (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018)

Depending on the host site for the Breeders’ Cup, the Filly & Mare Turf race has different distances. Run most often over 10 or 11 furlongs, the great Ouija Board is the only two-time winner. The Chad Brown barn often gets in amongst European raiders.

PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

• Inaugurated: 2007
• Race Distance: 1,400m (7 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $1,000,000
• Top Jockey: Irad Ortiz (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023)
• Winningest Trainer: Chad Brown (2015, 2022, 2023)

Although it’s called the Filly & Mare Sprint, unlike other Breeders’ Cup races, this one has a real specialist distance. Goodnight Olive followed in the hoofprints of Groupie Doll by winning this event in consecutive years.

FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile

• Inaugurated: 1984
• Race Distance: 1,600m (a mile or 8 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $2,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Olivier Peslier (2008, 2009, 2010), John Velazquez (1998, 2012, 2017) & William Buick (2021, 2022, 2023)
• Winningest Trainers: Freddy Head (2009, 2009, 2010) & Charlie Appleby (2021, 2022, 2023)

Another World Championships original, the turf mile race is synonymous with record three-time winner Goldikova. That French wonder-mare is a legit legend. Following Charlie Appleby is how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup and make money here, as he has saddled the last three winners.

Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff

• Inaugurated: 1984
• Race Distance: 1,800m (9 furlongs) [since 1988]
• Prize Purse: $2,000,000
• Top Jockey: Mike Smith (1995, 1997, 2002, 2008, 2012)
• Winningest Trainer: William Mott (1997, 1998, 2010, 2011, 2012)

The Distaff is another Breeders’ Cup race for fillies and mares only. Four different thoroughbreds have won the race twice. Bettors should know the Brad Cox barn has three victories in the last six editions.

Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf

• Inaugurated: 1984
• Race Distance: 2,400m (a mile and a half or 12 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $4,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Frankie Dettori (1999, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2018) & Ryan Moore (2008, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2023)
• Winningest Trainer: Aidan O’Brien (2002, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023)

As the most valuable race at the World Championships on grass, the Breeders’ Cup Turf has gone to three fillies since 2015. Thoroughbreds trained across the pond in the UK, Ireland and France have dominated this event.

Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic

• Inaugurated: 1984
• Race Distance: 2,200m (a mile and a quarter or 10 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $6,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Chris McCarron (1988, 1989, 1996, 2000, 2001) & Jerry Bailey (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2005)
• Winningest Trainer: Bob Baffert (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020)

Boasting the largest purse of all Breeders’ Cup races at the meet, the Classic is up there with betting on the Kentucky Derby as the most important event in the sport in America. Tiznow is the only thoroughbred to win it more than once.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

• Inaugurated: 2008
• Race Distance: 1,000m, 1,100m, 1,200m or 1,300m (5 furlongs, 5.5 furlongs, 6 furlongs or 6.5 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $1,000,000
• Top Jockeys: Mike Smith (2012, 2013) & Joel Rosario (2017, 2018)
• Winningest Trainer: Peter Miller (2017, 2018, 2019)

Two-time Turf Sprint winners Mizdirection and Stormy Liberal have popularized this race. There will always be one turn for the speedy horses to take in this event, no matter which track hosts the World Championships.

Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint

• Inaugurated: 1984
• Race Distance: 1,200m (6 furlongs)
• Prize Purse: $2,000,000
• Top Jockey: Corey Nakatani (1996, 1997, 1998, 2006)
• Winningest Trainer: Bob Baffert (1992, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2016)

The dirt Sprint race has three two-time winners in Midnight Lute, Roy H and Elite Power. Each backed up with consecutive victories. Irad Ortiz has ridden three of the last four horses to success in this division.

Breeders Cup Example Bet

We will walk you through an example highlighting how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup. Given that the outright winner bet on horse racing is the most popular market, this is the one we will choose. It’s worth noting that, given the vast range of races held during the meet, exotics like exacta, trifecta, and superfecta are incredibly popular and can offer amazing value.

All of the top horse racing betting sites and racebooks in the USA works with a parimutuel betting system. This is where bettors wager into a pool, and the winnings are distributed as dividends once the race is complete. It means you don’t get to see or choose the odds before the race starts, unlike European bookmakers who use a fixed odds betting system.

One of the major benefits of betting on meets like the Breeders’ Cup is the size of the pools. Compared to regular day of racing, they are massive as they attract international coverage.

The easiest way to look at how this would work is to run back the results from one of the 2022 races. Given that the Classic is the main event, it makes sense to look at this.

It’s worth noting at this point that the Classic is open to up to 15 horses, but only eight started with seven finishers due to Epicenter pulling up.

The two key columns to reference are the morning line and final odds. The morning line is a guide handicappers use to show bettors a rough look at the odds for that horse. These are not the betting odds you will get, and as stated, they should be used as a guide.

Final odds are displayed based on the price that the horse went off at (started the race). These are in decimal instead of fractional odds because they must be precise when displayed in a final table and are easier to interpret than fractional odds.

The odds between the two look very different because two horses were scratched after the morning line had been released. When this happens, it affects the whole race and dramatically changes the odds.

Let’s assume we’ve placed a bet on the winner, Flightline. The horse was well fancied before the race, has lived up to the hype, and won, albeit at very short odds. The final odds are at 1.44, which is converted to 4/9.

Here’s how it would look if we were to place a $100 bet on the Flightline:

• $100 x 4/9 = $144.44 returned – $100 stake = $44.44 profit

As you can see, there’s not a huge return from this bet, but that happens when you place a bet on a horse that will likely be odds-on. Assuming we’d bet on any of the other horses to win, our bet would lose.

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How to Read Breeders Cup Odds

All horse racing odds in the United States use a parimutuel betting system, as revealed above. This is where you bet into a pool and get paid as dividends based on the number of winning tickets. Knowing the exact odds before the race starts is impossible, so the morning line acts as a rough guide.

Let’s run through a quick example of how this works as if we were using one of the best online sportsbooks out there.

Assume we’ve got a race with six runners and a total of $100,000 staked across the six runners. We now need to see exactly how much is wagered on each horse, which looks like this:

• Horse 1 = $20,000
• Horse 2 = $10,000
• Horse 3 = $10,000
• Horse 4 = $30,000
• Horse 5 = $15,000
• Horse 6 = $15,000

Before doing anything, we need to remove the commission from the pot that the racebook charges. The amount varies, but we will set it at 15% for this example. This equates to $15,000, meaning the remaining balance is $85,000 to be paid out.

It’s now a case of dividing the total amount wagered on the race by the amount on the winning horse. This will, in turn, create a dividend paid to all winning tickets.

Let’s say that Horse 5 is the winner of the race. The equation would look like this:

• $85,000 / $15,000 = $5.67

This tells us that for every $1 wagered on the race, we get $5.67 in return. If we convert this to fractional odds, it would be roughly 9/2, although not exact, so they use decimals for the final odds.

Next, we will highlight how the dividends were paid across the top three horses from the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic to highlight the payouts from this.

• $1 Exacta (4-7) Paid $17.87
• $0.50 Trifecta (4-7-1) Paid $41.63
• $0.10 Superfecta (4-7-1-8) Paid $69.16

The table above shows how the dividends are represented for the race. This is based on a $2 wager and shows the total returns, so the profit on betting on Flightline to win would have been just $0.88. Interestingly, for this race, you would have made more betting on Flightline to place ($0.92), which is almost unheard of.

Below the table are the payouts for exotic markets such as Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta.

How to Bet on the Breeders Cup – Step-by-Step Guide

To help explain how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to placing a bet with BetOnline, our top choice for horse racing wagering.

1. Open an account

Click the green “Join” button at the top of the page to get started.

2. Enter account details

Fill in the forms to create your account. This will include information such as your name, email address, password, and phone number. Ensure you have access to the email address you need to verify your account before you log in for the first time.

3. Login and head to the cashier

Once the account has been created and verified, login and head to the cashier to make your first deposit. You will have a choice of BetOnline promotions and use the promo code linked to trigger it.

4. Use the racebook

When the deposit has cleared, head to the racebook using the menu at the top of the page. Use the menu down the left to choose the meeting and race you want to bet on.

5. Place a bet

Enter your stake into the box for the market and the horse you want to bet on. For example, enter a stake within the win betting box if you want to bet on the win market. Click on add to betslip and confirm the bet before placing.

Open an account with BetOnline to get access to the biggest horse racing promotions.

Breeders Cup Betting Markets

Horse racing has an extensive range of betting markets by default. The increased exposure events such as the Breeders’ Cup create means that the range of markets and bet types is now bigger and better than ever. Below is a list of betting markets and an explanation of how they work.

• Win Bet: This is the most straightforward bet where you pick the horse you think will win the race. If your selected horse finishes first, you win the bet.
• Place Bet: In this bet, your horse must finish first or second. It offers lower payouts than a win bet but increases your chances of winning.
• Show Bet: Like the place bet, but in this case, your horse can finish in any of the top three positions. While the payouts are lower than win and place bets, it increases the probability of a winning bet.
• Each-Way Bet: This is essentially two bets: a win bet and a place bet. You win if your horse finishes first, and you still win a portion if your horse finished placed (usually second or third). The stake is double that of a single win or place bet.
• Across The Board Bet: You can combine win, place and show bets by wagering across the board. The unit stake is treble a straight win to cover all three different pools.
• Exacta Bet: You must pick the first and second-place finishers in the exact order. This bet offers higher payouts due to its difficulty.
• Quinella Bet: Similar to the exacta, but the order does not matter. You win if your two chosen horses finish in the top two positions in any order.
• Trifecta Bet: This bet requires you to predict the first, second, and third place finishers in the correct order.
• Superfecta Bet: An extension of the trifecta, where you must correctly predict the first four horses in their exact order of finish. This is one of the most difficult bets, with correspondingly high payouts.
• Daily Double Bet: You pick the winners of two consecutive races from the same meeting.
• Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6 Bets: These bets involve selecting the winners of 3, 4, 5, or 6 consecutive races, respectively. They are extremely challenging, but successful bets can result in substantial payouts, especially for Pick 6.
• Boxed Bet: A term applied to exactas, trifectas, and superfectas, where you can bet on any order of finish for the top two, three, or four horses. This increases your chances of winning and the bet’s cost.
• Key Bet: Used in combination bets like trifectas and superfectas, you ‘key’ one horse to win and then choose other horses to come in the specified order behind it.
• Lay Betting: Betting on a horse to lose is available through betting exchanges. You essentially take the role of the bookmaker, offering odds to other bettors.
• Parlay Bet: Involves combining multiple bets into one. All selections must win for you to get a return. The more bets combined, the higher the potential payout.

Breeders Cup Prop Bets

The beauty of the Breeder’s Cup is that regular markets are expanded to include a host of brilliant prop bets, the popularized shortened version of proposition betting. These can vary, and some are more bizarre than others from a betting point of view. We recommend using most of these as novelty bets and limiting your stakes accordingly.

• Top Jockey: Bet which jockey will win the most races over the Breeders’ Cup event. It’s a popular bet as it focuses on the skill and strategy of the jockey rather than the horses.
• Top Trainer: Similar to the top jockey bet, here you wager which trainer will have the most wins across all Breeders’ Cup races.
• Head-to-Head: A bet where two horses are pitted against each other, regardless of their overall position in the race. Your task is to pick which of the two will finish higher.
• Winning Distance: This bet involves predicting the margin of victory for the winning horse in a specific race. Bettors must estimate whether the horse will win by a nose, neck, length, etc.
• Fastest Time: A wager on which Breeders’ Cup race or specific horse will record the fastest time. It can apply to individual races or the entire event.
• Over/Under: Here, the bookmaker sets a benchmark for a specific statistic (like the number of wins by a jockey or the winning time of a race), and bettors wager whether the actual outcome will be over or under that benchmark.
• Futures Bet: Placed weeks or months in advance, futures wagers involve predicting the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner or other races at the meeting. Odds fluctuate based on the form, injuries, and other factors leading up to the race.
• Race to the First Win: Bet which Breeders’ Cup race (e.g., Classic, Turf, Sprint) will see the favorite horse winning first. This requires understanding the favorites in each race and their likelihood of winning.
• Special Match-Ups: Bookmakers may create hypothetical match-ups between two horses not directly competing against each other in the same race, and bettors can wager who would win in this imaginary race.
• Winning Nation: A bet on which country the winning horses will come from. This is interesting in the Breeders’ Cup due to the international nature of the participants.

Looking for Breeders’ Cup prop bets? Check out BetNow for industry-leading horse racing markets.

Past Breeders Cup Winners

With 14 races run over the two days, there are a lot of winners to keep up with at the Breeder’s Cup. What’s special about the event is that even the undercard races are still packed with the best thoroughbreds from around the world, making for one of the most competitive horse racing meets.

Below, we’ve got an overview of past winners from the 2022 and 2023 Breeders’ Cup and included the amount of money won by each horse to highlight how this differs between each race and year by year.

Breeders’ Cup Winners 2023

Breeders’ Cup Winners 2022

Breeders Cup Betting Strategy

A key part of learning how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup is applying a betting strategy to create value. In this section, we’ve included areas that you can target specific to betting on the Breeders’ Cup and how to increase profitability.

Analyzing Pedigree for Distance and Surface Affinity

The Breeders’ Cup features a variety of race distances and surfaces, including dirt and turf, and even synthetic tracks in the past. When betting on these races, it’s crucial to analyze the pedigree of the horses to determine their suitability for a specific distance or surface.

Some horses have bloodlines that excel in long-distance races, while others are bred for speed over shorter distances. Similarly, certain pedigrees adapt better to turf than to dirt. Evaluating sire and dam statistics and the horse’s previous performance in similar race conditions can offer valuable insights.

Specializing in Specific Race Types

The Breeders’ Cup encompasses a range of race types, such as sprints, marathons, and turf races. Specializing in one or two types of races can be more effective than spreading bets across all events. This specialization allows for a more in-depth understanding of those races’ specific nuances and trends.

For example, mastering the dynamics of turf races, including understanding turf breeding, the importance of gate position, and jockey experience on turf, can provide a significant edge.

Evaluating International Contenders

One of the best things about the meeting is that it attracts top international horses, especially in turf races. Assessing the form and performance of these international competitors against American horses is essential.

This includes analyzing their performance in key preparatory races abroad, adaptability to American racing styles, and ability to handle travel and new environments. International horses often bring different racing styles and tactics, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on the race setup.

Utilizing Advanced Metrics and Handicapping Software

Advanced bettors often leverage handicapping software and advanced metrics to assess a horse’s performance potential. These tools can provide a wealth of data, including speed figures, pace analysis, and form cycles.

Understanding how to interpret and use this data effectively can be pivotal in making informed betting decisions, particularly in identifying undervalued horses with a strong chance of outperforming their odds.

Following Workout and Training Patterns

In the lead-up to the Breeders’ Cup, monitoring horses’ workout and training patterns can provide critical insights. Look for horses showing consistency and improving workout times, indicating peak form.

Also, please pay attention to trainers with a history of successfully preparing horses for the meeting, as their training patterns can be a reliable indicator of a horse’s readiness.

Bankroll Management and Value Betting

Effective bankroll management is crucial, especially given the competitive nature of the Breeders’ Cup races. It’s essential to identify races where you have the strongest opinion and allocate a larger portion of your bankroll to those bets.

Additionally, focus on value betting – looking for horses whose chances of winning are better than their odds suggest. This approach often means avoiding heavy favorites and seeking capable horses with higher odds.

Live Betting and In-Race Dynamics

With the advent of live betting, understanding the dynamics of a race as it unfolds can be a valuable strategy. This includes recognizing the significance of pace, jockey decisions, and in-race developments.

Bettors who can accurately interpret these factors as the race progresses can find advantageous betting opportunities that weren’t apparent pre-race.

Apply your betting strategy and get the best odds for the Breeders’ Cup at BetOnline.

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