In a race which will very likely decide the 2026 Horse of the Year, Saturday’s Grade 1, $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland has all the makings of the event of the year in North American racing. Led by last year’s winner Forever Young, and the past two winners of the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty and Golden Tempo, the 1 1/4-mile affair is loaded with accomplished horses.

This year’s edition of America’s richest race has attracted a competitive field of eight, which includes seven Grade/Group 1 winners. Besides the three already mentioned, Pacific Classic Stakes winner Knightsbridge, Dubai World Cup hero Magnitude, Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo, and Pennsylvania Derby winner The Puma loom as four additional serious contenders to take home the top prize in the centerpiece race of the two-day World Championships.

1. T O Password (30-1 morning-line odds): The far-less accomplished of the two horses from Japan, this 5-year-old horse turned in a solid performance in his only previous start in the United States when he rallied for fifth in the 2024 Kentucky Derby after a poor start. His recent form in Japan is good, but not quite strong enough to suggest he can win against this outstanding field.

JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Daisuke Takayanagi

2. Sovereignty (5-2): The 2025 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year had to miss last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic due to a fever. A recent rear hoof issue created worry that he would miss the race again, but he seemingly has rebounded to fitness in recent weeks for trainer Bill Mott. An impressive winner of the Whitney Stakes in his most recent start, the champion stretch runner is a major threat if he is at his best on Saturday.   

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Bill Mott

3. Golden Tempo (5-1): This year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets winner was defeated last out when third in the DraftKings Travers Stakes. Working well at Keeneland, which is his home base, all signs point to a rebound race here after not getting much pace last time at Saratoga. Look for the son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin to trail the field early, but if the early pace is strong as expected, it could set up well for him to come with a strong late run. He is the top pick.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux

4. The Puma (10-1): The only horse in the Classic who did not race before this year, the handsome chestnut continues to mature and improve for trainer Gustavo Delgado. Last time out, he made an early and sustained outside run to win the Pennsylvania Derby against fellow 3-year-olds. It only gets tougher here, but a similar move could put him in with a chance for the upset at the top of the Keeneland lane.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Gustavo Delgado

Forever Young exercising at Keeneland (Eclipse Sportswire)

5. Forever Young (2-1): Last year’s winner looms as the one to beat here as he seeks to become only the second horse ever to win this race twice. A wonderfully consistent horse since a debut victory in Japan in 2023, he has proven himself many times when coming over for the most prestigious U.S. races. Pointed for this race since a spring freshening, his recent prep win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup was not perfect, but it should give him the foundation needed to bring his best here. Look for him to make first run at the leaders on the far turn. 

JOCKEY: Ryusei Sakai; TRAINER: Yoshito Yahagi

6. Magnitude (6-1): Coming off a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Whitney Stakes, this 4-year-old Not This Time colt may be a forgotten runner in this field. Earlier performances like his wins in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline and Stephen Foster Stakes highlight that he can beat anyone at his best. It will be up to new rider Flavien Prat to work out a good trip near the lead in this demanding race with plenty of early speed to his outside.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

7. Knightsbridge (9-2): From the same connections as Sovereignty, this talented veteran will look to prove that he has progressed to the point that he can win against the strongest field of the year. His last two races, big wins in the Monmouth Cup Stakes and Pacific Classic Stakes point out both his talent and how well he is coming into this test, but both came against much lesser competition. He is a serious wildcard who, at the very least, should make his presence felt early.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Bill Mott

8. Napoleon Solo (15-1): One of three speed horses drawn to the far outside, the Preakness winner will look to be both involved early and save enough energy for the stretch run of the 1 1/4-mile Classic. As game as he was in his runner-up finish in the Travers last time, he cannot be discounted, but this would seem to be a daunting task for the speedy sophomore.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Chad Summers

THE PICK: Golden Tempo

LIVE LONGSHOT: The Puma

SUPERFECTA: 3-5-4-2