The 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic goes off Saturday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. Post time for the $6 million, 1-1/4 mile race is set for 8:40 p.m. ET with live coverage on NBC.
FanDuel is offering 20-to-1 odds on your first single-horse wager on any Breeders’ Cup race when you sign up as a new user. Wagering on the Breeders’ Cup Classic is open.
Knicks Go is the current 5-to-2 favorite in a nine-horse field that includes controversial Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit (4-1). The Bob Baffert-trained colt tested positive for a banned corticosteroid after his Derby victory. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has not rendered a final verdict on the matter.
The trainer-jockey combination of Baffert and John Velazquez will be looking to defend its victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic when Authentic won at Keeneland.
Trainer Brad Cox has two bullets in this Classic. Knicks Go is a worthy favorite given his past performance in the Breeders’ Cup. He won last year’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile after previously finishing second in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2019.
Cox will also saddle up Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality, who is in contention as well at 3-1. Here’s a look at the full field, comprised of horses 3-years-old and up, for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic:
| Post Position | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tripoli | 15-1 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | John Sandler |
| 2 | Express Train | 20-1 | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs |
| 3 | Hot Rod Charlie | 4-1 | Flavien Prat | Doug O'Neill |
| 4 | Essential Quality | 3-1 | Luis Saez | Brad Cox |
| 5 | Knicks Go | 5-2 | Joel Rosario | Brad Cox |
| 6 | Art Collector | 8-1 | Mike Smith | William Mott |
| 7 | Stiletto Boy | 30-1 | Kent Desormeaux | Ed Moger Jr. |
| 8 | Medina Spirit | 4-1 | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert |
| 9 | Max Player | 8-1 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steve Asmussen |
How To Bet 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic
If you’re looking outside of the chalkiest options here, Hot Rod Charlie offers some value at 4-1. He won this year’s Louisiana Derby before finishing third in the Kentucky Derby and runner-up in the Belmont Stakes. Essential Quality outlasted him down the stretch in the Belmont.
It’s hard to look past Knicks Go, though. Cox’s horse is a true frontrunner, but he also possesses a closing kick. We’ll be pairing him up with his barn mate Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie in exacta and trifectas. We’re passing on Medina Spirit in our exotic wagers.
The suggested plays here are a 3-4-5 exacta box and 3-4-5 triple box.
Are you a sports bettor new to horse racing? By boxing your wager, you’ll win if those horses all finish top-three in any combination. A $1 exacta box and $1 triple box will both cost you $6.
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