By Jarrod Horak
The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the ultimate test — power, pace, and precision all come together under the brightest lights of the year. In this special video, handicapper Jared Horack walks through his entire Breeders’ Cup game plan using Today’s Racing Digest, explaining exactly how to turn data into dollars.
This isn’t just a preview — it’s a full guide to using The Complete Digest to break down every Breeders’ Cup race, including the Classic.
Step 1: Build a Plan Before Post Time
Before diving into the figures, Jared starts with a plan:
- Review pre-entries, replays, and workouts.
- Identify potential key horses and live longshots.
- Set a betting budget early — long before Breeders’ Cup Friday.
Pro Tip: The key to a profitable Breeders’ Cup isn’t guessing; it’s eliminating horses that can’t win and zeroing in on those who fit the race shape.
Step 2: Decode the Digest — How Each Feature Works
Here’s a breakdown of what each Today’s Racing Digest feature provides and how Jared uses it to spot live runners:
FAST FIGS — The Hidden Power Rating
A combination of class and performance, Fast Figs instantly compare horses across different circuits.
- Why it matters: It reveals which horses have been running against stronger fields, not just who’s fastest.
- How Jared uses it: He checks if any horse tops the Fast Figs list at a price. In last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Straight No Chaser had the top Fast Fig — and won at 6-1.
CPR (Comprehensive Performance Rating)
The CPR blends pace, final time, and closing fraction into a single figure that ranks overall ability.
- Why it matters: It balances front-end speed and finishing strength — crucial in deep fields like the Classic.
- How Jared uses it: Horses with rising CPRs are improving at the right time, often before the public catches on.
PACE & FINAL TIME RATINGS
The Pace Rating tracks early speed; the Final Time Rating measures finishing ability (similar to Beyer Speed Figures).
- Why it matters: Comparing the two shows how a horse runs — front-runner, stalker, or closer.
- How Jared uses it: He looks for balance — horses that can handle fast pace setups and finish strong are Breeders’ Cup-ready.
FIRE NUMBERS — Speed Throughout the Race
Unlike other speed figures, Fire Numbers measure sustained velocity, not just raw time.
- Why it matters: It helps spot horses that keep grinding, even under pressure — perfect for identifying who can survive the Classic’s 10 furlongs.
- How Jared uses it: He tracks the last 10 Fire Numbers to spot consistent improvement or a horse sitting on a peak effort.
RACE HEADER — Your Shortcut to the Big Picture
Each race in the Digest starts with a Race Header that includes:
- Track Profile: Inside/outside bias and running style trends.
- Speed & Pace Forecasts: How fast the race will unfold early.
- Best Final Time Ratings: Who’s already proven at the distance/surface.
- Fastest in the Stretch: A sneaky stat that highlights late runners who can blow up exotics.
Example: Last year, More Than Looks was listed among the fastest stretch runners in the BC Mile — and went on to upset at 6-1.
HORSE COMMENTS & ANALYST NOTES
Every horse comes with an insider write-up that synthesizes trainer intent, pace fit, and form cycle clues.
- Why it matters: It’s like having a conversation with a pro handicapper who’s already done the homework.
- How Jared uses it: He compares his notes to the Digest analyst comments — when they match, it’s a green light.
Step 3: Putting It Together — Breeders’ Cup Strategy
Once Jared has digested the data:
- Key Horses: Identified by top Fast Figs, improving CPRs, and strong pace balance.
- Live Longshots: Found via Fast Figs overlays or hidden stretch-run numbers.
- Exotic Structure: Using “Fastest in the Stretch” horses for 3rd/4th in trifectas or supers.
- Bet Allocation: Weighted toward confidence tiers — strong opinions get heavier plays; longshots are used underneath.
Step 4: Get the Complete Breeders’ Cup Digest
The Breeders’ Cup Complete Digest includes:
- Full card analysis for all 14 championship races
- Expert pace projections
- Handicappers’ selections and wagering strategies
- Historical trends and bias notes
Grab the Breeders’ Cup Complete Digest