Ultimate Breeders’ Cup Betting Guide. Learn how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup. Here are some simple bets anyone can learn. Read on.
Breeders’ Cup Events Date & Time
Date & Time: Friday-Saturday, Nov. 6-7, 2020. All Post Times PM ET.
Place: Keeneland, Lexington, KY
TV: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Live Stream
The Breeders’ Cup Classic is on the last Saturday in October or first Saturday in November.
| Outcome |  Bovada |
|---|---|
| Outcome | Bovada |
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Chapters
- Best Bets
- 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic Replay
- Best Breeders’ Cup Race Call
- Betting Tips
- Breeders’ Cup History
- Tables/Reference
Easy Breeders’ Cup Betting
Profit from these Breeders’ Cup bets.
1. Distaff-Classic Daily Double Bet
Pick both the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Breeders’ Cup Classic winners. Make your picks before the Distaff begins. Post time time is pending PM the Friday before the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The 1 1/8 mile Distaff is for 3 year old fillies and mares. Each horse must qualify during the Distaff Prep Race period between January and October.
Racebooks determine Distaff-Classic payouts from a horse’s odds of winning its respective event.
Review the Distaff-Classic will-pays after the Distaff has concluded. Payouts include the Distaff winner paired with each Classic horse. Odds may change up until Breeders’ Cup Classic post time.
Tip
Review each horse’s most recent race results. Also review Prep Race results. The Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Breeders’ Cup Classic prep races begin in January each year.
2. Breeders Cup’ Win-Place-Show Bet. Also called “Across the Board”.
Pick a likely top 3 finisher. Place $2 Win, Place and Show bets on this horse. $2 x 3 bets. The entire bet costs $6 total.
Ask your track teller for $2 “Across the Board”. Or select this wager from your online racebook.
Race results determine your payout. There are 4 distinct outcomes. The following lists payouts from highest to lowest.
| Horse Finishes |
Winning Bets |
Losing Bets |
|---|---|---|
| First | Win,Place,Show | None |
| Second | Place,Show | Win |
| Third | Show | Win,Place |
| Fourth or worse |
None | All |
All Win-Place-Show bets lose if horse finishes fourth or worse. Also called “out of the money”.
Tip
Pick from the top 6-8 contenders. Don’t bet longshot horses unless you’re extremely confident. Avoid placing multiple Win-Place-Show bets. Consider a Trifecta or Superfecta box bet instead.
3. Breeders’ Cup Trifecta Part Wheel Bet
Select horses to key into the first, second and third position. Each key contains one or more horses. Final order does matter.
This bet maximizes profit while including multiple likely winners. Each key should have 4 or less horses.
Select horses most likely to finish in the top 3. Also include 1-2 less probable horses. Occasionally a longshot will finish third.
Breeders’ Cup Betting Trifecta Picks Keys
- Horses A & B in the first position. Key 1 = A,B
- 2 horses from 1st key + Horse C in second position. Key 2 = A,B,C
- 3 horses from 2nd key + Horse D in third position, Key 3 = A,B,C,D
- Total unique Horses: 4 (A,B,C & D).
- Each combination costs $1. Total cost is $8 for 8 combinations.
Note: Trifecta wheel costs will vary depending on number of unique horses. Using the same horse in multiple keys decreases cost. Adding new horses to each key increases cost.
Tip
Trifecta Part Wheels cost less than a Trifecta Box. They are also more efficient. You will bet less to potentially win more money.
4. Breeders’ Cup Quinella Box
The 10+ Breeders’ Cup Classic field makes picking a winner difficult. Bettors must carefully manage risk. Play multiple horses at once with the Quinella Box Bet.
Pick 3 or more horses to finish in the first or second position. Final order doesn’t matter.
- Your bet wins if 2 of your selections finish first and second.
- Bet loses if one or none of your selections finish top two.
Quinella Box bets cost $2 per combination. The following table lists costs per number of horses boxed.
| Horses | Combinations | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | $6 |
| 4 | 6 | $12 |
| 5 | 10 | $20 |
| 6 | 15 | $30 |
| 7 | 21 | $42 |
Tip
Keep Quinella Boxes to 6 horses or less. Large quinella boxes are both expensive and inefficient. Consider using an Exacta Wheel bet for 6 or more horses. Key small sets of horses into each finishing position.
5. Breeders’ Cup Show Bet
Your horse doesn’t have to win to turn a profit. The show bet rewards bettors for making a “good-enough” prediction. It manages risk like the Quinella Box. But it costs less and pays out more.
How to place a Breeders’ Cup Show Bet
- Visit your online racebook.
- Pick your favorite horse.
- Select Show Bet.
- Minimum bet is usually $2.
The show bet wins if your horse finishes first, second or third. Also called “in the money”. Payouts are smaller than successful win or place bets.
- Show bets on longshots pay the most.
- Show bets on favorites or “odds on” horses pay the least.
Tip
Consider placing Show bets on multiple horses. Large Breeders’ Cup events are notoriously unpredictable. Don’t hang your hat on one selection. Diversify your bets. You’ll increase the likelihood of profiting.
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2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic Replay
Best Breeders’ Cup Classic Race Call
Tom Durkin, 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic for Cigar
Breeders’ Cup Betting Tips
- Deposit early Breeders’ Cup week. Consider using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. You’ll avoid last minute credit card processing glitches.
- Monitor Breeders’ Cup odds carefully. Visit your online race book’s odds page regularly. Odds will change up until post time.
- Shop Breeders’ Cup betting odds at multiple sportsbooks.
- Novice bettors stick to simple +EV horse bets. Research and bet longshots carefully. Leave trifectas and superfectas to expert handicappers.
Breeders’ Cup History
The Breeders’ Cup was the brainchild of prominient owner and breeder John Gaines. He first suggested the idea at the 1982 Kentucky Derby Festival awards luncheon.
The goal was to create a championship event to conclude each racing season. Only the finest thoroughbreds would compete. Fellow owners, breeders and trainers were initially opposed to Gaines’ idea. Persuasion from Hall of Fame trainer John Nerud eventually changed their minds. The Breeders’ Cup would help clean up the tarnished image of horse racing. Highlighting the best horses and trainers annually would also increase the sport’s prestige and notoriety.
Breeders Cup Evolution
The first Breeders’ Cup was held on November 10, 1984 at Hollywood Park Racetrack. Wild Again won the first Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2:03.40 over 1 1/4 miles. The Breeders’ Cup continued as a one-day event through 2006. In 2007, then CEO Greg Avioli proposed expanding the event to 2 days. Day 1 would showcase female horses. Day 2 would be for males; culminating with the Breeders’ Cup Classic race.
By 2009, the Breeders’ Cup became a worldwide event witnessed in some 140 countries. A simulcasting agreement with Betfair brought in an addition 2.5 million customers eligible to wager on the event. Horses from around the world were allowed to participate. A “Win and You’re In” policy granted automatic entry to horses winning major races in North America, England, Ireland, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa and Australia.
Still Growing
Since 2010, the Breeders’ Cup has become a bi-coastal event. Churchill Downs or Santa Anita Park have been the most common locations. Recent exceptions include Keeneland in 2015 and Del Mar in 2017. Santa Anita has hosted the Breeders’ Cup a record 9 times.
Triple Crown winners running the Breeders’ Cup Classic are now eligibile to win thoroughbred racing’s Grand Slam. American Pharoah was the first to earn this title in 2015. Note that American Pharoah was also the first Triple Crown winner since the event’s 1984 inception.
Breeders’ Cup betting is widely available at most online sportsbooks, teletheaters and other simulcasting services.
Breeders’ Cup Betting Tables and Reference
Breeders’ Cup Classic Winners 1984 to Present
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Vino Rosso | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | 2:02.80 |
| 2018 | Accelerate | Joel Rosario | John W. Sadler | 2:02.93 |
| 2017 | Gun Runner | Florent Geroux | Steve Asmussen | 2:01.29 |
| 2016 | Arrogate | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | 2:00.11 |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | 2:00.07 |
| 2014 | Bayern | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 1:59.88 |
| 2013 | Mucho Macho Man | Gary Stevens | Katherine Ritvo | 2:00.72 |
| 2012 | Fort Larned | Brian Hernandez | Ian Wilkes | 2:00.11 |
| 2011 | Drosselmeyer | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | 2:04.27 |
| 2010 | Blame | Garrett Gomez | Albert Stall Jr. | 2:02.28 |
| 2009 | Zenyatta | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | 2:00.32 |
| 2008 | Raven's Pass | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | 1:59.27 |
| 2007 | Curlin | Robby Albarado | Steve Asmussen | 2:00.59 |
| 2006 | Invasor (ARG) | Fernando Jara | Kiaran McLaughlin | 2:02.18 |
| 2005 | Saint Liam | Jerry Bailey | Richard Dutrow | 2:01.49 |
| 2004 | Ghostzapper | Javier Castellano | Robert J. Frankel | 1:59.02 |
| 2003 | Pleasantly Perfect | Alex Solis | Richard Mandella | 1:59.88 |
| 2002 | Volponi | Jose Santos | Philip G. Johnson | 2:01.39 |
| 2001 | Tiznow | Chris McCarron | Jay M. Robbins | 2:00.62 |
| 2000 | Tiznow | Chris McCarron | Jay M. Robbins | 2:00.75 |
| 1999 | Cat Thief | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | 1:59.52 |
| 1998 | Awesome Again (CAN) | Pat Day | Patrick B. Byrne | 2:02.16 |
| 1997 | Skip Away | Mike E. Smith | Sonny Hine | 1:59.16 |
| 1996 | Alphabet Soup | Chris McCarron | David Hofmans | 2:01.00 |
| 1995 | Cigar | Jerry Bailey | William I. Mott | 1:59.58 |
| 1994 | Concern | Jerry Bailey | Richard W. Small | 2:02.41 |
| 1993 | Arcangues | Jerry Bailey | Andre Fabre | 2:00.83 |
| 1992 | A.P. Indy | Ed Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale | 2:00.20 |
| 1991 | Black Tie Affair (IRE) | Jerry Bailey | Ernie T. Poulos | 2:02.95 |
| 1990 | Unbridled | Pat Day | Carl Nafzger | 2:02.20 |
| 1989 | Sunday Silence | Chris McCarron | Charlie Whittingham | 2:00.20 |
| 1988 | Alysheba | Chris McCarron | Jack Van Berg | 2:04.80 |
| 1987 | Ferdinand | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | 2:01.40 |
| 1986 | Skywalker | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Michael Whittingham | 2:00.40 |
| 1985 | Proud Truth | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Veitch | 2:00.80 |
| 1984 | Wild Again | Pat Day | Vincent Timphony | 2:03.40 |
Breeders’ Cup Event Locations 1984 to Present
| Year | Track |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Del Mar |
| 2020 | Keeneland |
| 2019 | Santa Anita |
| 2018 | Churchill Downs |
| 2017 | Del Mar |
| 2016 | Santa Anita |
| 2015 | Keeneland |
| 2014 | Santa Anita |
| 2013 | Santa Anita |
| 2012 | Santa Anita |
| 2011 | Churchill Downs |
| 2010 | Churchill Downs |
| 2009 | Santa Anita |
| 2008 | Santa Anita |
| 2007 | Monmouth Park |
| 2006 | Churchill Downs |
| 2005 | Belmont Park |
| 2004 | Lone Star Park |
| 2003 | Santa Anita |
| 2002 | Arlington Park |
| 2001 | Belmont Park |
| 2000 | Churchill Downs |
| 1999 | Gulfstream Park |
| 1998 | Churchill Downs |
| 1997 | Hollywood Park |
| 1996 | Woodbine |
| 1995 | Belmont Park |
| 1994 | Churchill Downs |
| 1993 | Santa Anita |
| 1992 | Gulfstream Park |
| 1991 | Churchill Downs |
| 1990 | Belmont Park |
| 1989 | Gulfstream Park |
| 1988 | Churchill Downs |
| 1987 | Hollywood Park |
| 1986 | Santa Anita |
| 1985 | Aqueduct |
| 1984 | Hollywood Park |
| Horses | Combinations | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6 | $12 |
| 4 | 12 | $24 |
| 5 | 20 | $40 |
| 6 | 30 | $60 |
| Horses | Combinations | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6 | $6 |
| 4 | 24 | $24 |
| 5 | 60 | $60 |
| 6 | 120 | $120 |
| Horses | Combinations | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 24 | $24 |
| 5 | 120 | $120 |
| 6 | 360 | $360 |
| 7 | 840 | $840 |
| 8 | 1680 | $1680 |
| Key 1 Horses | Key 2 Horses | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $2 |
| 1 | 3 | $3 |
| 1 | 4 | $4 |
| 1 | 5 | $5 |
| 2 | 2 | $4 |
| 2 | 3 | $6 |
| 2 | 4 | $8 |
| 2 | 5 | $10 |
| 3 | 2 | $6 |
| 3 | 3 | $9 |
| 3 | 4 | $12 |
| 3 | 5 | $15 |
| 4 | 2 | $8 |
| 4 | 3 | $12 |
| 4 | 4 | $16 |
| 4 | 5 | $20 |
| 5 | 2 | $10 |
| 5 | 3 | $15 |
| 5 | 4 | $20 |
| 5 | 5 | $25 |
References
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breeders%27_Cup
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breeders%27_Cup_Classic
twitter.com/twinspires?lang=en
breederscup.com/history-tradition
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Nerud
horseracingnation.com/race/1984_Breeders_Cup_Classic_G1
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pharoah
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Slam_of_Thoroughbred_racing
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breeders%27_Cup_Classic
Images:
bostonherald.com/sports/other/2015/11/american_pharoah_wins_breeders_cup_classic_rides_off_into_sunset
breederscup.com/history-tradition/hall-champions/wild-again