The $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic is year-in, year-out, an important race in determining several Eclipse Award winners, depending on the outcome. Three-year-olds who shine when facing older horses can clinch champion honors within their division, and on occasion even be named Horse of the Year. If the Classic winner is an older horse, that victory usually puts them across the threshold to be honored as champion older dirt male at season’s end and also burnishes their credentials for the larger award. All in all, through 42 runnings of the Classic, 17 winners have been voted Horse of the Year.

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The 43^rd Breeders’ Cup Classic, set for Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course, will maintain this tradition. Defending race winner Forever Young is seeking to become the second repeat winner in the race’s history, following Tiznow in 2000 and 2001. A win in this race would all but lock down Horse of the Year for the Japanese superstar. Forever Young is set to face at least two older U.S.-based horses in Sovereignty and Magnitude who have their own chances at Horse of the Year honors if they win the Classic. Sovereignty was voted 2025’s Horse of the Year as a 3-year-old, and 2026 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo would have a very good chance of receiving his own Horse of the Year trophy, in addition to one for champion 3-year-old male, should he prevail.

This year’s field also includes several intriguing older horses and a trio of 3-year-olds in addition to Golden Tempo aiming for the upset. The Classic, held at 1 ¼ miles and around two turns, is scheduled as the last of 14 total Breeders’ Cup races and nine Championship Saturday events, with a scheduled post time of 6:16 p.m. ET. It will be televised nationally on NBC and also on the FanDuel TV network, and streamed on Peacock.

Read on for information on all of the Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders plus some gambling insights, and check back after the evening of Monday, Oct. 26, for an updated Cheat Sheet with contenders listed in post-position order and with morning-line odds added.

Eclipse Sportswire

Forever Young

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Owner: Susumu Fujita

Career record: 16 starts – 12 wins – 1 second – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $32,313,590

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 118

Pedigree: Real Steel – Forever Darling, by Congrats

Age: 5

Color: Bay

Running style: Press the pace/stalker

Analysis: Much of the excitement surrounding this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic is due to this horse’s presence. Forever Young will attempt to join Tiznow as a back-to-back Classic winner and he could very well be favored to do so come post time. The Japan-bred and -based, globe-trotting superstar is making his third Classic start, finishing a solid third in 2024 and then winning the 2025 race by a half-length over 2024 champ Sierra Leone. Both of those races were at Del Mar, and Forever Young has been training in recent weeks at Belmont Park, where he prepped for the Classic with a workmanlike win in the Sept. 18 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, held at 1 ¼ miles and around one turn. Forever Young arrived at Keeneland Oct. 10, and it’s worth keeping a close eye on how the horse travels on the dirt track and acclimates himself to new surroundings. He has never finished worse than third in 16 career starts despite racing all over the world, and perhaps most encouragingly, his preference for stalking the early pace is well-suited to the makeup of this year’s Classic, which features several front-running horses. If he gets a good trip behind the early speed, jockey Ryusei Sakai should have Forever Young in position to get first run on the leaders in early stretch, open up on the field, and then have enough stamina to hold off rallies from top-class Sovereignty and Golden Tempo. He’s a main win candidate, and it would be surprising to see him finish out of the top three. 

Bet Forever Young in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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Forged Steel

Jockey: TBA

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Owners: C2 Racing Stable, Mathis Stables, and TCC Stables

Career record: 21 starts – 6 wins – 3 seconds – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $616,630

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 107

Pedigree: Vekoma – Scorecard, by Tale of the Cat

Age: 4

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Analysis: This veteran should be part of the front rank of Breeders’ Cup horses projected to set a fast pace – if he ends up running. Forged Steel was pre-entered in both the Classic and the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, held earlier on the card Saturday at Keeneland, with first preference to run in the Dirt Mile. He comes into the Classic off a 1 ¼-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Goodwood Stakes Sept. 26 at Santa Anita Park, where he pressed the pace, took over at will, and coasted home. The Goodwood was Forged Steel’s second big win at Santa Anita this year, following a pacesetting 9 ½-length romp in the 1 ¼-mile Hollywood Gold Cup in late May. Sandwiched in between those two wins, however, were two dull efforts away from Santa Anita in the Suburban Stakes Presented by Subourbon Life and the Pacific Classic Stakes, in which he finished fifth and seventh, respectively, and a cumulative 30 ¾ lengths behind the winners. That suggests Forged Steel is a “horse for the course,” and of course, Keeneland isn’t it. If he gets off to a good start, look for this gray or roan colt to join Magnitude and possibly Napoleon Solo in a duel for the lead through the first turn and into the backstretch. He’s having a career-best year, posting four of his six lifetime wins, but it would be surprising to see Forged Steel still in contention during the final stages of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Bet Forged Steel in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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Further Ado

Jockey: TBA

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Career record: 10 starts – 4 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $1,661,958

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 107

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa

Age: 3

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Press the pace/stalker

Analysis: The connections of this colt are hoping that his affinity for Keeneland’s dirt track can elevate him enough to at least finish in the top three or four in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, with a remote chance at the upset. Further Ado is 2-for-2 at Keeneland, coupling a maiden win a year ago at age 2 by a ridiculous 20 lengths with a dominant 11-length score in the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April, which clinched his spot in the Kentucky Derby (in which he finished 11^th as the tepid post-time favorite). Aside from those two Keeneland routs, which came against lesser competition, Further Ado has proved to be a second-tier, but still accomplished, member of his 3-year-old class with two stakes wins at Churchill Downs and a close runner-up finish behind The Puma in his lead-in race, the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby. He should benefit from a projected fast early pace by sitting in midpack (possibly close to Forever Young) and then making a stretch rally. Even with his established Keeneland affinity, Further Ado’s best races to date stamp him as a longshot in this field. He is also cross-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile held earlier on the Oct. 31 card and would seem to be better-suited to that distance, but his connections have first preference to run in the Classic.

Bet Further Ado in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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Golden Tempo

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Owners: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable

Career record: 7 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $4,783,000

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 101

Pedigree: Curlin – Carrumba, by Bernardini

Age: 3

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: Golden Tempo is already the leading candidate to receive the 2026 Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male, and a top-three finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic would certainly lock down that hardware. If he were to win, however, he would enter the discussion for Horse of the Year as well and have a very strong case. After posting a 23-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the Curlin colt silenced many skeptics by backing it up with an impressive score in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (he skipped the Preakness Stakes). Both of those races were held at 1 ¼ miles, and so, too, was Golden Tempo’s only race in between the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic – the Aug. 29 DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Golden Tempo made his customary stretch run from off the pace in the Travers but settled for third, 2 ¼ lengths behind winner Leading Change and 1 ¾ lengths behind runner-up Napoleon Solo. He closed along the inside in the Travers as opposed to outside and in the middle of the track in both the Derby and Belmont, and it will be interesting to see how regular jockey Jose Ortiz positions him when the stretch running commences in the Classic. This colt has been patiently handled by trainer Cherie DeVaux and should be sitting on a top effort. His speed figures are a cut below those of Forever Young, Sovereignty, and some of the other older horses in the Classic, but the mile-and-a-quarter distance is right up his alley and he should get a fast pace to set up his rally.

Bet Golden Tempo in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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Knightsbridge

Jockey: TBA

Trainer: Bill Mott

Owner: Godolphin

Career record: 12 starts – 8 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $1,523,155

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 109

Pedigree: Nyquist – Tyburn Brook, by Bernardini

Age: 5

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Analysis: As of this writing, Knightsbridge is not confirmed to run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic – he’s been entered in both the Classic and the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile earlier on Keeneland’s Saturday card, with preference to run in the Classic. This elite racehorse has the same connections as reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty, and they could be holding a reserve card for the Classic should his stablemate end up not running (Sovereignty has been dealing with some minor foot issues in recent weeks). If Knightsbridge does compete in the Classic, he profiles as a win contender based on his overall 2026 résumé and especially in his first two races around two turns. He stretched out for the first time in July and romped by 10 ¼ lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Cup Stakes and then shipped west to Del Mar and crushed a good field by 6 ¼ lengths in the 1 ¼-mile Pacific Classic Stakes. Knightsbridge finished third in his only start at Keeneland, but that was two years ago at age 3 and came in a sprint race. He has won by setting the pace and also racing just off it, and should he start in the Classic, his jockey could put that versatility to use depending upon how many other horses are vying for the early lead. Knightsbridge probably will be the morning-line favorite in the Dirt Mile should owner Godolphin and trainer Bill Mott end up running him in that spot, and even if by some remote chance they decide to enter both of their stars in the Classic, Knightsbridge should not be dismissed.

Bet Knightsbridge in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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Magnitude

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds

Career record: 15 starts – 8 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $9,626,365

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 116

Pedigree: Not This Time – Rockadelic, by Bernardini

Age: 4

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Analysis: This colt is the wild card in the Breeders’ Cup Classic – at his best, he’s shown that he can defeat any opponent in the field, including Forever Young and Sovereignty, but he also has a one-dimensional, “need the lead” running style. Since his breakthrough win in the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes at 43-1 odds, Magnitude has won five of eight starts by either leading at every point of call or sitting just off of the early front-runner and finishing strong. Earlier this year, he bested Forever Young in the 1 ¼-mile Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline. After returning to the U.S. he defeated a quality field that included third-place Sovereignty in the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster Stakes. He led from start to finish in both races. In his only start since the Stephen Foster, Magnitude stumbled at the start of the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, recovered to stalk the pace in a spot farther behind than he is accustomed to, and then tired in the stretch to finish sixth of seven runners and 15 ¼ lengths behind winner Sovereignty. He’s been training well at Keeneland in recent weeks and, like Sovereignty and Forever Young, will be making his first start on the Keeneland main track. The obstacle for Magnitude, however, is that there is one other front-runner entered along with him in the Classic in Forged Steel, and 3-year-old Napoleon Solo should also show plenty of speed from the starting gate. If Magnitude is able to secure the front position and set the pace over these opponents – and he’s more talented than both – the question then becomes, will he have enough energy left to hold off Forever Young, Sovereignty, and the other closers? Red-hot jockey Flavien Prat takes the reins for the first time and rarely makes mistakes, so Prat should position Magnitude exactly where he needs to be in order to win. This very talented racehorse has a chance to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic … or he could finish near the back of the pack.

Bet Magnitude in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

Eclipse Sportswire

Napoleon Solo

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Chad Summers

Owner: Espoir USA

Career record: 7 starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $2,010,520

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 103

Pedigree: Liam’s Map – Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy

Age: 3

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Analysis: Even after a career that includes Grade 1 stakes wins at ages 2 and 3 and two near-misses at that level over the summer, Napoleon Solo still has a slight “no respect” aura. He rebounded from a subpar start to his 3-year-old season in the spring by winning the 1 3/16-mile Preakness Stakes and then running second by a half-length in both the 1 1/8-mile NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes and the 1 ¼-mile DraftKings Travers Stakes, finishing ahead of The Puma and Further Ado in the Haskell and then Golden Tempo and The Puma in the Travers. Since the Travers, Napoleon Solo has been training so well that his connections pointed him to the Classic instead of the Dirt Mile, a race he’s arguably better-suited to compete in based on pedigree (he’s pre-entered in both races with preference for the Classic). Napoleon Solo’s stamina limitations might kick in at the top of the stretch in the 1 ¼-mile Classic, even with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the irons. That being said, the gray or roan colt should have an impact on the final result as he’s shown quality early speed in all three of his recent starts and is as competitive as they come. If he’s at his best, Napoleon Solo figures to make it hard on other front-runners in the Classic to set a moderate pace, especially Magnitude. A contender worthy of consideration for trifecta and/or superfecta tickets.

Bet Napoleon Solo in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

Eclipse Sportswire

Sovereignty

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Trainer: Bill Mott

Owner: Godolphin

Career record: 12 starts – 7 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $6,876,550

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 118

Pedigree: Into Mischief – Crowned, by Bernardini

Age: 4

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker/closer

Analysis: The reigning Horse of the Year has dealt with an abscess in his left hind foot in recent weeks but posted a workout on Oct. 18 at Saratoga that satisfied Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. As of this writing, Sovereignty is all-systems-go for what will be his final career start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The physically imposing Into Mischief colt shook off a couple of underwhelming races to begin his 4-year-old season in Arkansas (second in the Oaklawn Handicap) and Kentucky (third behind Magnitude in the Stephen Foster Stakes) with a visually impressive, 4 ¾-length score in the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes Aug. 8 at Saratoga. Sovereignty’s Whitney win equaled or surpassed his string of outstanding races last year at age 3 that netted him Horse of the Year honors. If he’s able to follow that up with a victory in the 2026 Classic over Forever Young, Magnitude, and the rest, another Horse of the Year trophy could be forthcoming. The Classic’s pace scenario sets up perfectly for Sovereignty’s come-from-behind running style, and he should be following close behind Forever Young for the first half-mile or so in the race in order to set his sights on the Japanese star and try to outfinish him in the homestretch. If Sovereignty starts in the Classic, his stablemate Knightsbridge probably will instead target the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. If they both do compete for the $7 million, Sovereignty’s task will be tougher but very much within reach.

Bet Sovereignty in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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T O Password

Jockey: TBA

Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi

Owner: Tomoya Ozasa

Career record: 12 starts – 5 wins – 1 second – 1 third

Career earnings: $858,627

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Pedigree: Copano Rickey – T O Rachel, by King Kamehameha

Age: 5

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Unlike his compatriot Forever Young, T O Password profiles as an outsider as a win candidate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He is pre-entered both in this race and in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile earlier Saturday at Keeneland, with first preference for the Dirt Mile – and he’d be a longshot in that race as well. He first gained attention in the U.S. by competing in the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, in which he finished a good fifth (the top three, including third-place Forever Young, were separated by two noses). He then went back to Japan and has since won three of nine starts but is only 1-for-4 this year at age 5. That 2026 victory came in May at 1 1/8 miles, and he subsequently finished third by 2 ¼ lengths in a Group 3 stakes held at the same distance in Japan on Aug. 8. T O Password should be rallying from off the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but without the same power and stamina as opponents such as Sovereignty and Golden Tempo. The Classic’s 1 ¼ miles also appears to be beyond his best distance.

Bet T O Password in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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The Puma

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Owners: OGMA Investments, Saleh Al Otaibi, TCC Stables, YNG Stables, High Step Racing, and JR Ranch

Career record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $1,122,280

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 108

Pedigree: Essential Quality – Eve of War, by Declaration of War

Age: 3

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker/closer

Analysis: In a star-studded edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, there’s a chance that The Puma could slip somewhat under the radar and carry high post-time odds. If so, those would be appealing for a racehorse that, despite coming off a career-best performance, still has room for improvement. After gaining attention on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, The Puma missed the Triple Crown series due to a minor injury, and after coming back, he posted respectable fourth-place finishes in both the 1 1/8-mile NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes and the 1 ¼-mile DraftKings Travers Stakes before putting it all together and winning the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby by a half-length over Further Ado. In that race, The Puma made a swift move for the lead on the far turn, opened up on the field in the stretch, and had just enough energy left to hold off Further Ado’s charge. Both he and Further Ado have established a baseline level of talent to date that is below that of a half-dozen opponents in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but as mentioned above, The Puma is still lightly raced and could now just be approaching his career-best form after missing time over the summer. Expect a strong showing from him in the Classic and possibly another bold bid for the lead on Keeneland’s far turn under regular jockey Javier Castellano. The Puma is an outsider as a win candidate who has a better chance at spicing up superfecta, trifecta, and even exacta tickets.

Bet The Puma in the Breeders’ Cup Classic