Breeders' Cup Classic 2021
Saturday, Nov 6, 2021 − Del Mar
$6 million; 1 1/4 miles; 3-year-olds and up
Breeders' Cup Classic 2021
- Breeders' Cup Turf 2021
- Breeders' Cup Distaff 2021
- Breeders' Cup Mile 2021
- Breeders' Cup Sprint 2021
- Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf 2021
- Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 2021
- Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint 2021
- Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint 2021
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2021
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies 2021
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf 2021
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf 2021
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint 2021
-
2021 Breeders' Cup Classic: Knicks Go stakes claim to Horse of the Year
Jay Privman Nov 7, 2021
-
2021 Eclipse Awards: Some winners clear, other divisions blurry
Jay Privman Nov 8, 2021
-
2021 Breeders' Cup Classic: Knicks Go does his thing and leads all the way
Jay Privman Nov 6, 2021
-
2021 Breeders' Cup Classic: 'Every race a highlight,' Saez says of Essential Quality
Mike Welsch Nov 6, 2021
-
2021 Breeders' Cup Classic: Medina Spirit strengthens case for Eclipse Award, but the debate has just started
David Grening Nov 6, 2021
Field
Comments and odds by Brad Free

Post
Horse/
Best Beyer
Trainer/
Jockey
1
Tripoli
104
John Sadler
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
15-1
Trainer:
John Sadler
Jockey:
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Closer compromised by speed bias in final prep at SA, horse-for-course at DMR via summertime win G1 Pacific Classic
2
Express Train
103
John Shirreffs
Victor Espinoza
30-1
Trainer:
John Shirreffs
Jockey:
Victor Espinoza
Back-to-back tough trips vs. lesser rivals, potential to outrun high odds with trouble-free trip under his new rider
3
Hot Rod Charlie
111
Doug O'Neill
Flavien Prat
9-2
Trainer:
Doug O'Neill
Jockey:
Flavien Prat
Showed up and fired most every major 3yo race, recent Penn. Derby score his best yet, pressing style suits track profile
4
Essential Quality
109
Brad Cox
Luis Saez
7-2
Trainer:
Brad Cox
Jockey:
Luis Saez
Lone defeat was wide-trip fourth in Kentucky Derby, late-running 3yo would be first BC Juvenile winner to win BC Classic
5
Knicks Go
113
Brad Cox
Joel Rosario
5-2
Trainer:
Brad Cox
Jockey:
Joel Rosario
Speed of the speed on pro-speed oval, first try at 10f, same as BC Classic winners Ghostzapper, Raven's Pass, Zenyatta
6
Art Collector
107
Bill Mott
Mike Smith
10-1
Trainer:
Bill Mott
Jockey:
Mike Smith
Blossomed since trainer switch, triple-digit Beyers in three straight wins including sharp G1 last out vs. modest foes
7
Stilleto Boy
99
Ed Moger
Kent Desormeaux
30-1
Trainer:
Ed Moger
Jockey:
Kent Desormeaux
Runner-up in G1 last time out partly the product of rail-skimming trip on pro-inside surface, longshot in top form
8
Medina Spirit
107
Bob Baffert
John Velazquez
5-1
Trainer:
Bob Baffert
Jockey:
John Velazquez
Derby winner carries baggage into Classic, benefited by soft trip and speed-favoring surface final prep, adds pace
9
Max Player
102
Steve Asmussen
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
4-1
Trainer:
Steve Asmussen
Jockey:
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
Adopted pace-pressing style this season to emerge top handicap horse in the East, projects for advantageous trip in first flight
Breeders' Cup Classic Challenge Series schedule
Date
Race / Track / Distance
Winner / Beyer
Sunday,
Feb. 21, 2021
February StakesTokyo (JPN), 1 mile
Winner:
Cafe Pharoah
Cafe Pharoah
Cafe Pharoah
Saturday,
Jun. 26, 2021
Stephen FosterChurchill Downs, 1 1/8 miles
Winner:
Maxfield
Beyer:
103
Maxfield103
Maxfield103
Saturday,
Jul. 3, 2021
SuburbanBelmont, 1 1/4 miles
Winner:
Max Player
Beyer:
101
Max Player101
Max Player101
Saturday,
Jul. 17, 2021
HaskellMonmouth, 1 1/8 miles
Winner:
Mandaloun
Beyer:
102
Mandaloun102
Mandaloun102
Saturday,
Aug. 7, 2021
WhitneySaratoga, 1 1/8 miles
Winner:
Knicks Go
Beyer:
111
Knicks Go111
Knicks Go111
Wednesday,
Aug. 18, 2021
Juddmonte InternationalYork (GB), 1 1/4 miles (T)
Winner:
Mishriff (IRE)
Mishriff (IRE)
Mishriff (IRE)
Saturday,
Aug. 21, 2021
Pacific ClassicDel Mar, 1 1/4 miles
Winner:
Tripoli
Beyer:
104
Tripoli104
Tripoli104
Saturday,
Sep. 4, 2021
Jockey Club Gold CupSaratoga, 1 1/4 miles
Winner:
Max Player
Beyer:
102
Max Player102
Max Player102
Saturday,
Oct. 2, 2021
Awesome AgainSanta Anita, 1 1/8 miles
Winner:
Medina Spirit
Beyer:
107
Medina Spirit107
Medina Spirit107
Breeders' Cup Classic News
Recent Breeders' Cup Classic Winners
Year
Horse/Trainer
Horse
Trainer
Beyer