The Breeders’ Cup is the most exciting horse racing event on the planet, as it sees competitors from around the globe collide for the only time on the schedule. This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever, as the action returns to Santa Anita at the start of November.
There will be no shortage of international challengers to consider before the action gets underway, while the American-trained runners will once again be among the most likely contenders on the dirt.
However, who are four of the most exciting horses that can be an interesting bet on the 2023 Breeders’ Cup online with TwinSpires?
Bright Future
The Breeders’ Cup Classic betting market has made for fascinating viewing throughout the season, with Forte, Arabian Knight, and Arcangelo all heading the market at one point or another. However, one of the brightest new stars in stakes company could be the one that has been primed for this challenge throughout the season.
Todd Pletcher has kept Bright Future under wraps for almost the entirety of the season, but he finally unleashed the four-year-old in Grade 1 company for the first time in early September. He didn’t disappoint at Saratoga, as he smoothly progressed through the race, before holding off the talented Proxy to land the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
The win score a speed figure of 104, and was a fine first run over a 1 ¼ miles. It solidified his claims after an emphatic win over 1 1/8 in allowance optional claimer company at the same track, which scored a speed rating of 109. The Classic will be the next target, and it will be fascinating to see the challenge he puts down in such hot company.
Idiomatic
Pletcher is set to have a very strong hard for the Breeders’ Cup this year, but one race in which he may be unable to reverse the form could come in the Distaff. Nest has been the long time favourite for success in the fillies and mares race, but a new potential superstar has smoothly entered the conversation in the form of Idiomatic for trainer Brad Cox.
The four-year-old was sensationally when getting the better of Nest at Saratoga in the G1 Personal Ensign, finishing over four lengths clear of her rivals. Secret Oath was back in second on that day, and there is every expectancy that there is more to come from this runner.
That performance wasn’t a flash in the pan, and a run at the Breeders’ Cup appears to have been the target for a long time following her victory in the Delaware Handicap. The Distaff often throws up a big price winner, and Idiomatic could be among the runners that is overlooked in the betting on the day.
King Of Steel
It’s always challenging at an early stage to consider which European raiders will travel over to North America for the Breeders’ Cup, but connections of King Of Steel have made it very clear from an early stage that they will be targeting a big Grade 1 at the Breeders’ Cup later this year.
The three-year-old for Roger Varian ran a sensational race after a 224-day layoff in the Epsom Derby to finish an excellent second behind Auguste Rodin, despite starting the race at odds of 66/1. He landed victory at Royal Ascot, before taking a credible third in a high-quality edition of the G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The draw went against him in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes, but a commendable fourth and just a length behind Auguste Rodin was a solid enough effort.
With many of the top European runners likely to sidestep the Breeders’ Cup, King Of Steel could be one that is completely missed in the betting markets at this early stage, and there will likely be no runners in the field that will get anywhere near the kind of form that this three-year-old can boast on paper.
Highfield Princess
One of the most loved horses in Europe of the last couple of seasons will likely make her swansong at Santa Anita in November, as Highfield Princess looks to add to her huge number of Grade 1 prizes in Europe.
The six-year-old is likely to be retired at the end of the current campaign, and connections will be hopeful that she can go out on a high. The John Quinn-trained runner has won six from 20 in stakes company over the shorter trips, which included three Group 1s on the way to her fourth place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last year.
A similar route has been followed this term, and she has added to her top prizes with success in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes. She will have one final opportunity at the Breeders’ Cup this year, and she won’t be short on support in the betting.
