Day 2 of the Breeders’ Cup boasts eight prestigious Grade 1 races, culminating in the highly anticipated Breeders’ Cup Classic. To accommodate college football events, the Classic is scheduled for mid-card with a post time of 5:41 p.m. ET.
Television coverage will begin at 2:00 p.m. on the USA Network, transitioning to NBC at 3:30 p.m., then returning to USA at 6:00 p.m. (All times Eastern). Fans can also stream the races throughout the day on platforms such as Fubo, Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Additionally, all races except the Classic will be available on FanDuel TV.
In the Filly and Mare Sprint, taking place at 3:00 p.m. ET with a purse of $1 million, the standout horse is No. 4 Vahva, noted for her consistency and record at the distance. Despite a recent disappointing performance, she has a solid chance with morning line odds at 4-1. Another strong contender is No. 9 Ways and Means, while a long-shot option could be No. 10 Scylla, showcasing the unpredictability of racing.
The Turf Sprint is set for 3:41 p.m. ET, boasting a purse of $1 million over a distance of 5 furlongs. Returning competitor No. 8 Big Invasion, coming off a second-place finish last year, remains a strong bet alongside No. 9 Cogburn, the heavy favorite with an undefeated record at the distance.
At 4:21 p.m. ET, the Distaff race, with a purse of $2 million over 1 1/8 miles, features the formidable No. 2 Thorpedo Anna, who has an impressive record this year. She aims to solidify her status against some strong challengers, including No. 6 Raging Sea and the undefeated Japanese entry, No. 9 Awesome Result.
The Turf, with a significant $5 million purse, kicks off at 5:01 p.m. ET. The favorite, No. 11 Rebel’s Romance, looks to enhance an already impressive international trophy case after winning Grade 1 races around the world. No. 2 Emily Upjohn and U.S.-bred No. 6 Far Bridge are notable challengers in this packed field.
As the day culminates, the classic event begins at 5:41 p.m. ET with a purse of $7 million over a 1 1/4 mile distance. Excitement mounts around Japanese horses participating, with No. 1 Forever Young showcasing impressive wins both internationally and domestically. Competing against this is No. 3 City of Troy, who will be making his dirt debut carrying a strong European record.
Additional races like the Filly and Mare Turf at 6:25 p.m. ET and the Sprint at 7:05 p.m. ET offer a blend of international and domestic horses, emphasizing the competitive spirit and unpredictable nature of horse racing. Noteworthy entries include No. 4 War Like Goddess in the Turf and No. 10 Mullikin in the Sprint, both looking for standout performances.
Overall, Day 2 of the Breeders’ Cup promises thrilling competition as equestrian talent from around the world vies for significant purses and titles, showcasing the unique stories and potential for surprises that make the event so captivating.
As the breeds and teams prepare for the races, fans and participants alike can look forward to a day filled with excitement, strategy, and hopefully, some unexpected triumphs that could shake up the standings.