Breeders’ Cup Mile 2025 Betting Preview: Favorites, Longshots, & Best Bets

Notable Speech (+250)

Charles Appleby’s Notable Speech is highly regarded entering the Mile on the turf. The Godolphin-owned colt made his debut on North American soil last year in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Despite the loss, Notable Speech was fast with a speed figure of 122. He lost the race by ¾ lengths and a head in a close finish at the wire. Notable Speed closed as the favorite, but was just nipped in the stretch run More than looks and Johannes to finish third.

The British runner most recently found the winner’s circle for the sixth time in 13 career starts. On September 13, Notable Speech beat My Boy Prince by 1 ¾ lengths at Woodbine in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (Gr. 1) after rocketing to kick free in the stretch. It was a great tune-up for Notable Speech in his second appearance in North America.

Class tells! Notable Speech is just too good for them in the Grade 1 @WoodbineTB Mile under @WilliamBuickX! pic.twitter.com/ucecOeUNEU

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 13, 2025

Prior to that win, Notable Speech had a positive performance in The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois (Gr. 1) to place second. Fresh off the win at Woodbine, everything is looking up for Notable Speech after failing to strike gold in his debut at Del Mar last year.

Sahlan (+550)

Al Shaqab Racing’s Sahlan can’t be underestimated in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He enters on the heels of back-to-back wins in the Prix Daphnis Samuel Liberman (Gr. 3) and the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr. 1).

Sahlan responded soundly after finishing ninth and sixth in two earlier races. Overall, the horse has won three out of six assignments in his career, which started on November 29, 2024. In his latest victory, Sahlan benefited from Sean Levey’s poor ride aboard Rosallion.

Sahlan just manages to repel Rosallion to land the Group One Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/XdBQFMHTzY

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 7, 2025

Rosallion had the lead entering the stretch and somehow allowed that one to get away from him. Nevertheless, Sahlan is in form and has plenty of momentum behind him heading into the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

This will be Sahlan’s first start overseas after all six of his previous events were in Europe. Notable Speech has already been here for over a month after winning outside of Toronto last month. We’ll see if that long trip across the pond impacts his form at all.

The Lion In Winter (+650)

O’Brien is back stateside, as the Hall of Fame Irish trainer looks to put The Lion In Winter in the winner’s circle. The Lion In Winter will make his first start in the US after failing to win his last six races.

He won back-to-back starts to open his career last July and August. However, The Lion In Winter has failed to strike since August 2024. I will disclose, though, The Lion In Winter is showing improved form as of late.

Cicero's Gift wins the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at @Ascot
What a race by The Lion in Winter!!@aobrienfansite pic.twitter.com/izvjoxAMNl

— Manu (@_ElManu) October 18, 2025

The colt, owned by Sunderland Holding, finished third in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr. 1). He put up a solid fight against Sahlan and Rosallion, but didn’t have the same kick down the stretch. The Lion In Winter got closer in his latest start for a second-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr. 1) at Ascot.

He’s a well-established and experienced horse in Grade 1 racing. The Lion In Winter has participated in five consecutive Grade 1 events. High profile competition isn’t anything new to him, and he’s getting into form at the right time. If everything goes according to plan, The Lion In Winter could be a frontrunner!