It’s the Breeders’ Cup season once again, and horse racing fans and bettors are now starting to look into the horses that will be running the Santa Anita Park this coming November 3 and 4, 2023.
The Breeders’ Cup is one of the most awaited horse racing events in the United States. That’s why it’s not a surprise that horse racing fans are starting to prepare for the said event as early as now. Everyone is thrilled to witness this prestigious racing event once again. They are even more excited this year due to the thoroughbreds that will contend to get the trophy.
The Breeders’ Cup event consists of a series of races that will start on day one and end on day 2. However, the most awaited race is the Breeders’ Cup Classic. So, if you’re looking to bet on the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic race, you might want to check out the following contenders.
Arcangelo
The first contender that is making a buzz on the internet is Arcangelo. Jena M. Antonucci trains this 3-year-old colt, the offspring of Modelling and Arrogate. The latter is also a known successful thoroughbred racehorse during his time.
Record-wise, Arcangelo has an undefeated record since his last attempt at the MSW last March 18 this year. After his MSW victory, Arcangelo also dominated the Peter Pan (G3), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1) races this year.
Arcangelo has shown amazing strength and stamina in all of those races, landing him in the number one spot. He is the current favorite to win the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic race with a Breeders Cup 2023 odds of +350.
His team knows how to prioritize their races and choose when to fight wisely. For instance, the camp decided to skip the Jim Dandy Stakes to make time and focus their training for the Travers Stakes, which might be the right decision.
Geaux Rocket Ride
The next contender that fans and experts are looking at this year is Geaux Rocket Ride. This three-year-old thoroughbred is under the supervision of horse trainer Richard Mandella. Geaux Rocket Ride has an amazing record of finishing his races in first or second places.
This racehorse is the second-best odd holder with +650 odds to win the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Geaux Rocket Ride’s first Grade 1 thoroughbred race was the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, where he defeated Mage by one ¾ lengths and bagged the 1 Million Dollars cash prize.
The Haskell Stakes was his coming out party, where he showed the horse racing world what he could do. And now, with the help of his trainer Mandella, he is ready to take on the Santa Anita Park and fight for the Breeder’s Cup Classic title.
However, a fever forced Geaux Rocket Ride to withdraw from the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby and leave the Triple Crown trail. Many fans lament his withdrawal since he’s a solid prospected contender on the road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Arabian Knight
A horse racing event won’t be complete if there is no Bob Baffert horse in the list of contenders. Arabian Knight is Bob Baffert’s entry for the Breeders’ Cup Classic this year. Baffert’s thoroughbred has also joined the Haskell Stakes and finished third.
His other races were the 2023 Southwest Stakes (G3) and 2023 Pacific Classic (G1), where he successfully finished as the first placer. Arabian Knight was also named the favorite of the 2023 Kentucky Derby before he was scratched off the race due to Baffert’s suspension of the derby.
And now that Arabian Knight won the Pacific Classic, he earned a free pass to the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic. The victory at Del Mar shows that Arabian Knight has what it takes to be a champion as he beat a group of talented older racehorses. The Breeders’ Cup Classic will be the first major race the thoroughbred will join since his debut on the racing scene.
Moreover, Arabian Knight earned $1,244,275 for his owner, Amr Zedan, when he won three of his four career starts. Since he has Baffert as his trainer, many fans and experts have high expectations for him. If you are looking for a horse that can provide great value, you might want to consider the Arabian Knight.
Bright Future
Currently the fourth-best odds holder for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Bright Future is up for the challenge of defeating the biggest names in the horse racing industry. Bright Future is trained by Todd A. Pletcher, another renowned horse trainer with quite an industry achievement.
This Pletcher horse also has a long list of racing experience behind him, which could significantly influence how he will perform in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Bright Future’s latest achievement was the 2023 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), where he won and earned a spot on the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
With Bright Future’s victory, he gave Pletcher his second Jockey Club Gold Cup. The Jockey Club race was a great event where Bright Future showcased his strength on the racetrack.
Bright Future didn’t experience racing as a 2-year-old in 2021. Instead, he began his racing career on March 19, 2022. His camp’s patience paid off significantly when he won his first race, the one-mile maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park, making it his impressive debut.
The colt raced at Belmont Park in an allowance-optional claiming race on June 11, 2022, following the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, instead of being rushed for the Triple Crown events, where he finished third.
Forte
Last but not least comes Forte. Forte is another Todd A. Pletcher contender, one of the thoroughbreds making hype this year. This thoroughbred has quite a long list of races he has joined since his debut.
He entered almost all major races in the country and was successful in most of them. He even joined the Breeders’ Cup Futurity and Juvenile races last year, where he won both races. Currently, Forte holds +1200 odds of winning the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which puts him in the fifth spot.
Final Words
Breeders’ Cup Classic is a horse racing event that fans and bettors shouldn’t miss. It is one of the most awaited and talked about events every year. But this year, the event is even more exciting due to how great the contenders are. It will surely be a close fight that’ll bring the spectators to the edge of their seats.
