Breeders’ Cup Classic Wide Open as Sovereignty Withdraws From Exciting Field

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Breeders’ Cup Classic Wide Open as Sovereignty Withdraws From Exciting Field

The anticipation is building for the 42nd Breeders’ Cup Thoroughbred World Championships, held at Del Mar, California, on October 31 and November 1, 2025. This prestigious two-day event features 14 races, commencing with Future Stars Friday, which highlights five juvenile races. The excitement culminates on Saturday with nine additional races, including the highly coveted $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Sovereignty Withdraws from Breeders’ Cup Classic

The Breeders’ Cup Classic was set to be competitive with Sovereignty, the morning-line favorite at 6-5. However, the star horse has been scratched from the race due to a fever. This unexpected withdrawal leaves behind a talented field of nine contenders for the Classic, heightening the stakes even further.

Favorites and Contenders

With Sovereignty out of the running, Fierceness has risen to the forefront as the new favorite, now listed at 5-2. Below is a rundown of the key horses competing in the Classic:

Fierceness (5-2): The runner-up from last year, possesses the speed to clinch victory.
Baeza (10-1): A strong contender with a Pennsylvania Derby win, previously placed third in the Derby and Belmont.
Nevada Beach (20-1): Bob Baffert’s wild card, showcasing potential but lacking experience.
Contrary Thinking (50-1): Strategically entered to aid Sierra Leone’s chances, known as a “rabbit” in racing.
Forever Young (6-1): A consistent performer with a record of never finishing worse than third in 12 starts.
Sierra Leone (7-2): Last year’s champion, aiming to repeat history as back-to-back winner.
Mindframe (6-1): Recently a victor over Sierra Leone, showing strong form.
Journalism (5-1): A two-time Stakes winner, now competing with a new jockey.
Antiquarian (10-1): A notable long shot with a solid recent performance history.

Race Details

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is scheduled for post time at 6:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, and it will be broadcast live on NBC. With eight horses possessing a viable shot at victory, this year’s competition promises to be one of the most intense in recent memory.

Strategic Insights

Notably, Contrary Thinking has been labeled a “rabbit” horse by trainer Chad Brown, set to create a fast pace to benefit stablemate Sierra Leone. This tactical decision could prove pivotal in the dynamics of the race, particularly for the front-runners like Fierceness.

Betting Considerations

Each race offers a variety of betting options, including:

Win: Select the winning horse.
Place: Choose a horse to finish in the top two.
Show: Pick a horse to end in the top three.
Exacta: Identify the first two finishers in the correct order.
Trifecta: Pick the top three in the correct order.

As the Breeders’ Cup Classic approaches, the excitement and analysis intensify, making it essential for racing enthusiasts to consider all factors when placing their bets.