Breeders’ Cup Classic 2024 News Update

By Jarrod Horak

In this article, I will take a look at the latest Breeders’ Cup Classic news. The Grade 1, $7 million BC Classic will be run at Del Mar on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. 

The BC Classic could have as many as 20 pre-entries. Arthur’s Ride, City of Troy, Highland Falls, Mixto, and Subsanador all captured Win & You’re In races and are guaranteed a spot in the Classic starting gate. 

Sierra Leone has accumulated the most graded stakes points for the BC Classic and will run, along with Fierceness. Seize the Grey has the same points total as Fierceness, and his connections are also considering the Dirt Mile. The remaining Classic runners will be selected by a Breeders’ Cup panel of racing directors and racing secretaries. 

The first Breeders’ Cup pre-entry deadline is Oct. 21. Horses can be pre-entered in two races. Pre-entry fields will be announced on Oct. 23. The second entry deadline is Oct. 28 and horses may only be entered in one race at that time. That is the final entry phase. In 14-horse fields, four also-eligibles are allowed, and in 12-horse fields, six also-eligibles are allowed.

Recent BC Classic Prep Races:  

Japan Dirt Classic (10-2-24): Forever Young ran his record to 6-for-7 in a 1 1/4-length victory in this mile and a quarter event, and the final time was 2:04.10. He stalked the pace and edged clear, his first start since finishing a close third in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Earlier this year, he won the Saudi Derby (G3) and UAE Derby (G2). 

Two other horses from Japan are also targeting the BC Classic. Derma Sotogake, second in the 2023 BC Classic, is 0-for-3 this year. He was 5th in Saudi Cup (G1) in February, 6th in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March, and 5th in his Sept. 25 return in Japan. 

Ushba Tesoro shipped from Japan and finished 5th in 2023 BC Classic. The closer landed the place in all three starts this year including the Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1). 

The other overseas hopeful for the BC Classic is City of Troy, a 3-year-old Justify colt with a 6-for-7 record (4 Group 1 wins). He should be one of the Classic favorites for Aidan O’Brien, and he has been targeting this race for quite some time.  

Other BC Classic News:

Todd Pletcher has confirmed that recent Grade 2 Woodward winner Tapit Trice will target the BC Classic. Pletcher’s top Classic hopeful Fierceness breezed five panels in 1:02.50 (3/8) at Saratoga on Oct. 3, and he drilled a bullet in 1:01.40 (1/5) on Oct. 10. 

Sierra Leone, second in the Jim Dandy (G2) and third in the Grade 1 Travers (both races won by Fierceness), breeze five furlongs in 1:01.80 (4/11) at Saratoga on Sept. 28, and went a half-mile in 48.80 (20/168) at Belmont on Oct. 5.

Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup hero Highland Falls breezed a half-mile in 48.60 (23/82) at Churchill Downs on Oct. 4. 

Arthur’s Ride, wire-to-wire winner of the Grade 1 Whitney, worked five furlongs in 1:02.24 (6/8) at Saratoga on Oct. 5. 

Grade 1 Pacific Classic upsetter Mixto worked five panels in 1:00.60 (18/68) at Santa Anita on Oct. 6. 

Dirt marathon specialist Next, also possible for the BC Turf, went an easy half-mile in 50.40 (41/50) at Turfway Park on Oct. 8. 

Jockey Club Gold Cup runner-up Pyrenees drilled a half-mile in 46.60 (2/50) at Keeneland on Oct. 6. 

Seize the Grey, also possible for the BC Dirt Mile, fired a bullet in 59 flat (1/15) under the Twin Spires on Oct. 3.