The 2025 Breeders’ Cup odds are live for what features an impressive field in the Classic at Del Mar this weekend. There are some heavyweights in the main race, including Sovereignty, Fierceness, and Sierra Leone.
Who has the advantage and upper hand on the 1 ¼ mile dirt track in San Diego? Check out the latest winner market, my analysis of the favorites, and the top Breeders’ Cup predictions and betting picks.
Breeders’ Cup 2025 Winner Odds
The latest Breeders’ Cup Classic odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| HORSE | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Sovereignty | +175 |
| Fierceness | +475 |
| Sierra Leone | +500 |
| Forever Young | +700 |
| Mindframe | +900 |
| Journalism | +900 |
| Baeza | +1500 |
| Antiquarian | +1800 |
| Nevada Beach | +2200 |
| Contrary Thinking | +12000 |
In the pre-post betting markets, Sovereignty (+175) has the shortest odds at the best horse racing betting sites. At +175 odds in the futures, Bill Mott’s three-year-old owns a 36.4% implied probability to capture the top crown at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup.
Sovereignty will likely hold onto the top spot regardless of the post positions. It isn’t particularly a big field, so traffic shouldn’t be as much of an issue as in the Kentucky Derby. Fierceness (+475) currently has a small edge on Sierra Leone (+500) for the second-best odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic 2025.
Some of the other familiar names in the Breeders’ Cup include Forever Young (+700), Mindframe (+900), and Journalism (+900), all regarded as mid-tier horses at Del Mar.
You can find updated Breeders’ Cup 2025 betting odds at BetOnline by navigating to Sports > Horse Racing > Horse Futures > Breeders Cup. The sportsbook also covers other races from the event, including the Breeders’ Cup Mile odds.
Breeders’ Cup Classic 2025 Favorites
Three Kentucky-bred horses lead the Breeders’ Cup 2025 betting odds for the top prize in the prestigious $7 million race, which is the largest purse in the US.
Let’s check out the leading contenders before making my 2025 Breeders’ Cup picks:
Sovereignty (+175)
The Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner is back on the track in a Grade 1 event and looking to extend his winning streak. Sovereignty is in brilliant form with four consecutive victories heading into the Classic.
Three of the four wins were in Grade 1 races, including the Travers Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and Kentucky Derby. Additionally, Sovereignty has won six of his previous seven starts since October 24, 2024!
SOVEREIGNTY IS SCARY GOOD‼️
He absolutely toys with the small field to win the G1 Travers Stakes… 💙
Start prepping your popcorn for the @BreedersCup Classic in November… 🍿
🎥: @AtTheRaces
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) August 23, 2025
His only loss during that stretch was to Tappan Street (coincidentally, also sired by Into Mischief) in the Florida Derby (Gr. 1) on March 29. After finishing fourth in his debut at Saratoga in August 2024, Sovereignty has won six events and was the runner-up in two outings.
Most importantly, Sovereignty has reached peak form over the last four-race stretch. He has a speed figure of 100+ in all those races, including 113 and 112 in the last two races. In Sovereignty’s latest start, he was clocked at 112 in a massive 10-length win in the Travers.
His most recent workouts suggest a strong effort as well, and Sovereignty looks like the one to beat at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Fierceness (+475)
Sovereignty’s top challenger is expected to be Todd Pletcher’s Fierceness. Pletcher has a good one in Fierceness, as his colt looks to build on seven wins through his first 13 starts.
Fierceness is coming off one of the best runs of his career in the Pacific Classic Stakes (Gr. 1) to win by 3 ¼ lengths over heavy favorite Journalism. It was the perfect trip from John Velasquez, who piloted the horse into the winner’s circle.
The BEAST from the east! 🎙️
Fierceness & @ljlmvel win a STUNNER of a Pacific Classic and earn a ticket to the @BreedersCup Classic at the Del Mar. pic.twitter.com/WReUyMRqvT
— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 31, 2025
The win was his first since four races back in May in the Alysheba Stakes (Gr. 2). He’s 1st, 5th, 2nd, and 1st in his last four races, so there have been some inconsistent results. Nevertheless, Fierceness has recorded a speed figure of at least 102 in seven events after a brutal showing in the Kentucky Derby for 15th.
Fierceness has the pace, but will it be there when it matters the most at Del Mar? He’s been hit-and-miss, and it’s difficult to forecast if Fierceness has what it takes to compete with Sovereignty. Is the horse hits the ceiling and gets the right draw, he can absolutely win.
That said, you can’t really trust Fierceness after such inconsistent results.
Sierra Leone (+500)
Chad Brown’s colt is one of the most consistent performers in the field. Since debuting on November 4, 2023, Sierra Leone has finished in the top 3 in all 13 races. He is going to be close or thereabout at the wire.
Nevertheless, Sierra Leone hasn’t managed to be a consistent winner despite being a contender throughout his career. Sierra Leone lost by a nose in a photo finish to Mystik Dan at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby in 2024.
He’s finished on top in two of his last nine starts. They were big wins, which includes the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic by 1 ½ lengths last year. The defending champ won three starts later this past August in the Whitney Stakes (Gr. 1) over Highland Falls by one length.
SIERRA LEONE wins the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes!
Last year’s @BreedersCup Classic champ books his return with a “Win and You’re In” score under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown! pic.twitter.com/Rh8BnPLdD7
— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) August 2, 2025
With a speed rating of at least 105 in 10 straight races, I think it’s safe to say that Sierra Leone is going to be in the mix in the stretch. If Sovereignty doesn’t get the trip he’s looking for in the Classic, Sierra Leone could be there to capitalize.
Between Fierceness and Sierra Leone, I’d consider the 2024 Kentucky Derby runner-up and defending winner for your Breeders’ Cup Classic picks.
Best 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic Longshots
I recommend including a couple of longshot bets for your 2025 Breeders’ Cup best bets in the Classic, as the following two contestants are underrated by the bookies.
-
Journalism (+900)
Journalism is one of the most well-known thoroughbreds in the US. The $825,000 colt is a constant threat and has won or placed second in nine consecutive races since November 2024. Overall, Journalism has struck for a win in six out of 10 showings.
Michael McCarthy’s three-year-old colt entered the 2025 Kentucky Derby as the favorite to win. He performed well to place second behind Sovereignty by 1 ½ lengths. Since then, Journalism has won two events, highlighted by a big victory in the Preakness Stakes (Gr. 1) over Gosger by a half-length.
What. A. Horse.
JOURNALISM takes the $1 million G1 Haskell Stakes at @MonmouthPark in a brilliant performance for trainer @mwmracing with @umbyrispoli aboard!
Gosger finished 2nd and Goal Oriented was third.
Journalism punched his ticket to the G1 @BreedersCup Classic! See you… pic.twitter.com/RbVkm50B8t
— Equibase (@Equibase) July 19, 2025
Journalism followed up with a respectable effort for second in the Belmont Stakes and then cashed in to defeat Gosger again by a half-length in the Haskell Stakes (Gr. 1). He was upset most recently in the Pacific Classic Stakes (Gr. 1) against Fierceness, but has more to give.
At +900, the value is there for Journalism as one of the best Breeders’ Cup winner picks.
-
Baeza (+1500)
After a career performance from Baeza, the Kentucky-bred John Shirreffs’ colt is looking to improve on that start with back-to-back wins. Baeza was a dominant force to defeat Magnitude by 2 ¼ lengths with a 116-speed figure at the Pennsylvania Derby (Gr.1).
That was the fastest we’ve seen Baeza run in his career. He’s had some solid performances in his career, with third in the 2025 Kentucky Derby his most notable entry. He was also in good form to show third in the Belmont Stakes.
Baeza will need to catch a break somewhere in this race. His foes might need to land in traffic in the stretch or some bumping, but Baeza is mispriced as a longshot runner at +1500 odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. I’ll lock in Baeza for a small upset bet on the futures markets.
Breeders’ Cup Classic 2025 Predictions and Betting Pick
Sovereignty’s elite form and recent workouts give me faith in him continuing his streak. He hasn’t lost since March 29, 2025, and based on recent work, Sovereignty is only getting stronger.
As it stands right now, Sovereignty looks cool, calm, and composed on the track with nothing that seemingly bothers him. There are many horses where it’s impossible to predict if they are interested in running on race day, but Sovereignty doesn’t have that issue.
I don’t expect Sovereignty to draw clear for a 10-length win like he did in the Travers. It should be more competitive down the stretch against some willing rivals. That being said, he is likely to edge ahead and prove that he is still much the best. Expect Sovereignty to be closer to even odds favorite at post time, so at +175, there is solid value for our best 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner pick.
Where to Bet on the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Online?
Odds for the Breeders’ Cup are available at a variety of online betting sites, but I’m a big fan of BetOnline. The sportsbook offers a host of options, including futures, fixed odds, and parimutuel betting for the Classic.
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