Authentic wins the Breeders Cup Classic 2020. Find out who was in contention to take down this huge 1¼-mile prize at Keeneland Race Course on November 7. The next edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic will take place on November 7, 2021 at the Del Mar racetrack in San Diego.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Entries
While Breeders’ Cup online betting is already very competitive, final Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders are not yet known.
Many horses can be eligible. Any foal born in the USA can be nominated by their owner/breeder by October 15 the year they were born. Thereafter, they are allowed entry into the Championships for life.
Not many make it of course, and overseas horses can be nominated too. With just 14 allowed in the gate, if the race is oversubscribed then the committee will need to decide on the final field based on ability and earnings.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks & Predictions for 2020
Right throughout the racing year, handicappers are making their Breeders’ Cup Classic predictions. With so many high-profile Grade I races at around this distance, the likely winners change regularly.
At this point, there is a lot of conjecture and that affects the odds. Some horses, such as the classy Maxfield, may not even make it to Keeneland because of injury.
Based on what we know, these Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders are among the favorites right now.
Authentic
Although beaten last time in the Preakness, Authentic remains right on target to be among the Breeders’ Cup Classic entries. Sophomore’s don’t have the best record of course, but those who have won it in recent times have been trained by Bob Baffert, as this guy is.
He remains high on the list of Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders despite his recent defeat.
Improbable
Another Baffert horse and now top of the Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders after his stunning Awesome Again Stakes win. He beat Maximum Security that day, and frighteningly he is still improving.
When asking yourself who will win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, this horse’s name has to come up repeatedly. He has everything needed and is one of the top Breeders’ Cup Classic picks for sure.
Maximum Security
Trained by, you guessed it, Bob Baffert. Previously thought of as the no.1 horse over 1¼ miles on dirt, he has now leveled out in his form and should not reverse the odds with Improbable. That said, he is expected to be among the final Breeders’ Cup Classic entries and stands a fair chance.
Tiz The Law
OK, three-year-olds don’t always do well here and this guy was beaten fairly by Authentic in the Kentucky Derby. But, before Churchill Downs, most Breeders’ Cup Classic predictions had Tiz The Law at the top.
Barclay Tagg’s colt won the Holy Bull, the Florida Derby, the Belmont, and the Travers this year. His narrow defeat in Kentucky doesn’t blunt his reputation and he may just need some luck when the Breeders’ Cup Classic post positions are announced.
Swiss Skydiver
Going into the Preakness, it was felt this filly had it all to do despite the weight allowance. Authentic was favored and they both battled, but Swiss Skydiver came out on top at the wire.
The two horses were miles clear up the stretch but as good as she is, she may not feature in many people’s Breeders’ Cup Classic picks.
Other Contenders
Others could yet feature among the Breeders’ Cup Classic entries of course. Toms D’Etat and Code of Honor may make it, while Europe’s Benbatl may yet stand a chance.
Breeders’ Cup Classic horses need to stay the distance, be tough and most of all be classy so whatever happens, it will take a special horse to win this race.
Previous Breeders’ Cup Classic Results
The 2019 running, the 36th in history, was one of the more impressive Breeders’ Cup Classic results. Vino Rosso scorched up the stretch to take the $3.3million first prize by more than 4 lengths at the wire. Here’s the full order:
| Position | Gate | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | 10 | Vino Rosso | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher |
| 2 | 8 | McKinzie | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert |
| 3 | 7 | Higher Power | Flavien Prat | John Sadler |
| 4 | 6 | Elate | Jose Ortiz | Bill Mott |
| 5 | 1 | Math Wizard | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 6 | 2 | Seeking The Soul | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Dallas Stewart |
| 7 | 11 | Code of Honor | John Velazquez | Claude McGaughey III |
| 8 | 5 | Yoshida | Mike Smith | Bill Mott |
| 9 | 4 | War of Will | Tyler Gaffalione | Mark Casse |
| 10 | 3 | Owendale | Javier Castellano | Brad Cox |
| DNF | 9 | Mongolian Groom | Abel Cedillo | Enebish Ganbat |
Other Breeders’ Cup Classic winners over the past few years include:
| Year | Venue | Winner |
| 2018 | Churchill Downs | Accelerate |
| 2017 | Del Mar | Gun Runner |
| 2016 | Santa Anita | Arrogate |
| 2015 | Keeneland | American Pharoah |
| 2014 | Santa Anita | Bayern |
| 2013 | Santa Anita | Mucho Macho Man |
| 2012 | Santa Anita | Fort Larned |
| 2011 | Churchill Downs | Drosselmeyer |
| 2010 | Churchill Downs | Blame |
Breeders’ Cup Classic Payouts
Once the result is known, it’s all about the Breeders’ Cup Classic payouts. Even when using online horse betting, the final Breeders’ Cup Classic odds are decided on the pari-mutuel and this is how we know how much we are paid.
Here are the Breeders’ Cup Classic payouts for the past three years:
| Year | Position | Horse | Win | Place | Show |
| 2019 | 1 | Vino Rosso | $11.20 | $5.80 | $4.00 |
| 2 | McKinzie | $4.80 | $3.60 | ||
| 3 | Higher Power | $6.00 | |||
| 2018 | 1 | Accelerate | $7.40 | $6.00 | $4.40 |
| 2 | Gunnevera | $21.80 | $11.80 | ||
| 3 | Thunder Snow | $8.00 | |||
| 2017 | 1 | Gun Runner | $6.80 | $4.40 | $3.20 |
| 2 | Collected | $5.60 | $4.00 | ||
| 3 | West Coast | $3.60 |
As you can see, in recent years some of the Breeders’ Cup Classic odds have been pretty tasty. With such a competitive field likely, it’s hoped the Breeders’ Cup Classic 2020 will bring more of the same.
About the Breeders’ Cup Classic
This is a Grade I race, the top of the tree, meaning Breeders’ Cup Classic horses have to be highly-regarded.
The event is run every November over a distance of 1¼ miles on a dirt track. The venue moves almost every year, with the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders taking on Keeneland’s surface.
Breeders’ Cup Classic entries have to be aged 3 or over. Three-year-olds carry 122lbs and older horses 126lbs. All fillies and mares receive a 3lb weight allowance.
Despite the series now containing 14 different races, most of them at Grade I level, Breeders’ Cup Classic winners are considered to be best of all.
This is due to the fact that on dirt, anyway, the best breeding leads to horses running at this distance. The Triple Crown races are run over 1¼, 1 3/16, and 1½ miles for example. Other top races for older horses such as the Travers and the Pacific Classic are also similar contests.
Along with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Melbourne Cup, and The Derby, Breeders’ Cup Classic results are what thoroughbred fans all around the world look out for. Even the televised draw for the Breeders’ Cup Classic post positions is a major event.
This year, the championships are staged at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky over Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7. Breeders’ Cup Classic post time is 5.13 PM local time.
Conclusion
This is one of the most important races in the world. When Breeders’ Cup Classic post time finally arrives on November 7, it will be a very fitting climax to a weird and wonderful season.
So, who will win the Breeders’ Cup Classic? Whoever it is will have to be a brilliant horse given the depth of this year’s field. This is not something you want to miss!
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