2019 Breeders Cup Classic Contenders
Got what it takes to take home $100k? This saturday, play the $100k TVG Super 8. Vino Rosso, left, and Elate, right, are two leading contenders for the 2019 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.
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The 2019 Breeders’ Cup will cap off a dramatic and historic year of horse racing with its marquee race on Saturday, November 2 from Santa Anita Park. Post time is set for 8:44 p.m. ET on NBC, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
The $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is one of the richest races on the globe, drawing top horses from across the world. Open to any horse over the age of 3, the 1 1/4-mile dirt race was where American Pharoah became the first horse ever to win the “Grand Slam” of horse racing with his 2015 Triple Crown and Classic wins.
Bob Baffert’s McKinzie opens as the favorite despite switching away from longtime jockey Mike Smith and taking second to fellow Classic competitor Mongolian Groom in the Awesome Again Stakes.
On the 10th anniversary of Zenyatta becoming the first female to win the Classic, Bill Mott’s mare Elate will attempt to follow in her footsteps. Elate is the first female to enter the Classic since Beholder (2015; scratch) and the first female to run in it since Havre de Grace (2011; 4th).
Below are the post positions for the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic, including opening odds as of October 28.
1. Math Wizard (30-1)
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Watch Math Wizard win the 2019 Pennsylvania Derby
2. Seeking the Soul (20-1)
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Watch Seeking the Soul win the 2019 Stephen Foster
3. Owendale (15-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Javier Castellano
4. War of Will (20-1)
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Watch War of Will win the 2019 Preakness Stakes
5. Yoshida *JPN (8-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Mike Smith
6. Elate (6-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Watch Elate win the 2019 Fleur de Lis Handicap
2017 Breeders Cup Classic Contenders
7. Higher Power (6-1)
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Flavien Prat
8. McKinzie (3-1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Watch McKinzie win the 2019 Whitney Stakes
9. Mongolian Groom (12-1)
Trainer: Enebish Ganbat
Jockey: Abel Cedillo
Watch Mongolian Groom win the 2019 Awesome Again Stakes
10. Vino Rosso (4-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
11. Code of Honor (4-1)
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: John Velazquez
2019 Breeders Cup Classic Contenders 2019
NBC Sports handicappers’ picks and predictions:
Eddie Olczyk: Vino Rosso
Matt Bernier: Elate
Watch NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup starting with Future Stars Friday on Nov. 1 from 4-8 p.m. ET (NBCSN) and continuing with Championship Saturday on Nov. 2 from 3:30-9 p.m. ET (NBCSN until 8, NBC from 8-9).