Month: November 2024

Make a Case: Guest Handicappers Defend Every Horse in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic

With such a crowded, competitive field in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, I figured that all of you could use a little extra help. Continuing a format I debuted at the Kentucky Derby this year, I randomly assigned 15 guests to make winning cases for every horse in this year’s Classic field.

I’m happy to report that many of my contributors stepped up their game to tackle this assignment, which required them to support runners they might not have otherwise. It’s an interesting handicapping exercise that requires them to look for angles, instead of finding them via confirmation bias. More important than its usefulness, I also simply find their analysis entertaining. I hope my readers do as well. read more

Paddy’s Picks Analysis: 2024 Breeders’ Cup, Day 2

The staggered time zones have provoked Breeders’ Cup organizers to push up the Breeders’ Cup Classic to the eighth race on the Del Mar card. I find this decision to be a ridiculous disservice to the races that will follow it, but am nevertheless immensely excited for the stacked card ahead.

There is no way for me to effectively set the stage for an event of this magnitude. The only way for readers to truly appreciate this year’s Breeders’ Cup is to experience it, either through the Racing Form or at the betting windows. Let’s get right into it. read more

Race of the Day: 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Analysis

I feel like I say this every year, but this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic is one of the most exciting dirt fields I’ve ever seen assembled. In addition to American superstars and an increasingly ambitious Japanese contingent, a European turf superstar will also try and make the switch to capture the crown jewel of this historic 14-race event.

In a rare case, it seems like every corner of this Classic division is holding up its end this year. Fierceness and Sierra Leone were the two best American three-year-olds this year (besides Thorpedo Anna), and both are in this field. Japanese superstars Derma Sotogake and Ushba Tesoro are both returning for another crack at a West Coast championship, and dynamic three-year-old Forever Young is also taking another jump across the Pacific. read more

Paddy’s Picks Analysis: 2024 Breeders’ Cup, Day 1

Welcome to the Breeders’ Cup! Over the next two days, I’ll do my very best to guide you through my picks for 14 virtually impossible races featuring the best horses in every discipline of racing. For fans of the sport, it’s a magical event. For handicappers, it’s a glorious nightmare.

The first day of the Breeders’ Cup has been reserved for juvenile races for several years now, and I think it’s an effective way to break up the massive two-day event. The horses running today represent the future of racing three different continents, a wonderful way to kick things off before turning to the present titans tomorrow. read more