2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships Preview (Archive)
Though horse racing goes on somewhere 365 days a year, the Breeders’ Cup is the Super Bowl of the sport, the closing act of the season. And for true horse bettors and those that love the action, this is a big two days.
This annual event was started in 1984 and continues to be a spectacle.
2021 Breeders’ Cup
Friday, November 5, and Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
For a second time, Del Mar is the featured track, which is one of the loveliest settings in the sport just north of San Diego and it will host this two-day event this Friday and Saturday.
On Nov. 5th, there are five featured races called Future Stars Friday (ten in all), with many of racing’s most promising colts and fillies running on both the dirt and the turf. There will be two truly featured races with purses of $2 million, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
On Saturday, as part of a 12-race card, there are nine Cup races, including the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, the final race of the day. All are on NBC Sports’ various platforms, which will have coverage over two fantastic days, so check that out. Here is our look at some of the biggest races and who the true contenders are.
True Contenders
Breeders’ Cup Classic – This featured race has a nine-horse field and the favorites are perfectly positioned. Knicks Go drew the 5-slot and has 5/2 odds and to his left is Essential Quality at 3-1. While these two are expected to draw the most attention, don’t think that Hot Rod Charlie and Medina Spirit cannot win this race. And the oddsmakers have priced them that way at 4/1.
B.C. Turf – Tarnawa is favored (9/5) to repeat her victory from last fall in the Breeders’ Cup when it was held at Keeneland. Evidently, enough trainers feel they can hunt down this five-year-old as there is a full field of 14 horses. Tarnawa drew the outside 13th post, but since this race is 1½ miles, she will have time to reposition herself. The other contenders are Domestic Spending (4/1), Teona (6/1), Gufo (8/1), and Walton Street (8/1).
Rockemperor at 15/1 is an intriguing choice, but he’ll need to get off the rail by the first turn.
B.C. Distaff – Letruska is a strong contender for Horse of the Year and is a solid 8/5 favorite in this 11 riders up-field. By various rating systems, Letruska is right there with the top four horses in the Classic and won the G-1 Spinster in her last start. Talented Malathaat and Shedaresthedevil are the co-second choices at 4-1.
B.C. Mile (Turf) – This race also attracted a full complement of 14 horses and half the field is at 10-1 odds or lower, making it appear wide open for trifecta or superfecta wagering. Space Blues is a 3/1 choice to reach the winner’s circle and is coming off the Prix de la Foret victory.
The top American entry in this race is Mo Forza, the second choice at 5-1, who has six times victories at this distance, which includes a trio of triumphs at Del Mar for trainer Peter Miller. In Love, Mother Earth and Blowout all have 8/1 odds, but an upset seems possible here.
B.C. Sprint – Jackie’s Warrior is an 8/5 fave and why not out of the 2-slot for this six-furlong race. JW has won eight of nine times on one-turn races and the lone setback was by a neck. He’s won three G-1 races including the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial this summer at Saratoga. This could be an exacta wheel bet, with Dr. Schivel (4/1), Special Reserve (6/1) and Following Sea (6/1) all chasing JW to the finish line.
B.C. Filly & Mare Turf – Audarya is back to defend her title in this 1 3/8 miles race. However, she drew the far outside post of 12 runners and she is the fourth pick at 5/1. The favorite is America-bred War Like Goddess (7/2), who has won six of seven starts for trainer Bill Mott, including taking the Flower Bowl at Saratoga, her first G-1 win.
Also, keep an eye on the second choices European filly Love and Loves Only You from Japan at 4/1 odds.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.