Unlock Winning Strategies: The Ultimate Guide to Breeders’ Cup Betting Success
Just like other horse racing events, Breeders’ Cup betting is one of the biggest attractions for the two-day spectacle. With a wide selection of bets available for some of the world’s best racing horses, there is an unlimited amount of fun to be had betting on the Breeders’ Cup.
This Breeders’ Cup betting guide will teach you everything you need to know, including information about the Breeders’ Cup, the types of bets you can place, and advanced tips designed to maximize your success and profitability.
About the Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup World Championship comes around once a year and features the top Thoroughbred horses from across the globe. Established in 1984, the Breeders’ Cup is one of the youngest national horse racing events there is. Hungry for proven winners? Grab our top-rated picks now.
Qualification
Horses qualify for the Breeder’s Cup races through a system of points that are earned in designated races known as “Challenge Races.” These races are held throughout the season and the number of points to qualify depends on the specific race within the Cup.
Location
The Breeder’s Cup is held at a different racetrack in North America each year. The 2024 Breeder’s is set to take place in California at Del Mar, which will kick off on Friday, November 1st and conclude on Saturday, November 2nd.
The point spread bet is extremely common and is a favorite among NFL fans who follow teams closely and use recent historical data to better inform their decisions. The winner of the game does not affect the outcome of the point spread, unless you pair the two wagers together into a parlay bet.
Races
There are 13 races in total during the Breeders’ Cup. Each of these races is designated as Grade I, which is the highest level of Thoroughbred racing there is. The races are split across two days and have categories for both dirt and turf track, as well as races for fillies and juveniles (horses under 3 years old).
Here’s the list of races in the Breeders’ Cup:
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
- Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Mile
- Breeders’ Cup Distaff
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
- Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
- Breeders’ Cup Turf
Is it Legal to Bet on the Breeders’ Cup?
Sports betting and horse racing are largely regulated within the United States, giving you plenty of legal options for betting on the Breeders’ Cup. Horse racing and wagering have a long history together, and the rise of online sportsbooks has made this more accessible than ever. You’ll find plenty of fun and legal betting action for the Breeders’ Cup this year, with an abundance of different types of bets you can place.
Full List of Breeders’ Cups Bets
This section will provide a high-level overview of the kinds of bets available for Breeders Cup Bettors. Ready to saddle up for the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans? Check out our Preakness Stakes betting guide.
Win, Place & Show Bets
The three most straightforward types of Breeders’ cup bets are the win, place, and show bets.
The win bet is a wager on which horse will win the race. If the horse you bet on finishes first, then you win the bet. If not, then you lose.
A place bet is similar to a win bet, only you’re betting on a horse to finish either first or second. The payout is generally lower, but show bets have a higher chance of hitting than most other bets. Dreaming of racing glory? Get insider tips in our Belmont Stakes expert guide.
A show bet expands the original two bets into the top three. As long as your horse finishes in the first three places, then you win your bet.
Exotic Bets
The Breeders’ Cup comes with a selection of exotic bets that are unique to horse racing. Below are some of the most popular:
- Exacta (or Exactor) – A bet on two horses to finish first and second in the exact order.
- Trifecta – A bet on three horses to finish first, second, and third in the exact order.
- Superfecta – A bet on four horses to finish first, second, third, and fourth in the exact order.
- Quinella – A bet on two horses to finish first and second in any order.
- Daily Double – A bet on the winners of two consecutive races.
- Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6 – A bet on the winners of three, four, five, or six consecutive races, respectively.
Futures
Some racebooks offer early betting lines so that you can place futures bets on the Breeders’ Cup. This mostly includes win bets, but some books will also offer future exotic and prop bets as well. One of the most popular futures bets for the Breeders’ Cup is to bet on specific horses to qualify for the championship. Chasing the Triple Crown? Master your picks with our Kentucky Derby betting breakdown.
Props
Prop bets are wagers for specific events or occurrences during the Breeders’ Cup, whether as a whole or for a specific race. Prop bets are a fun type of bet that mostly rely on luck to win.
Some of the most common Breeders’ Cup prop bets include:
- Head-to-head bets – Betting on which of two specific horses will finish ahead in a race.
- Margin of victory – Betting on the margin that the winning horse wins the race, usually measured as “by a nose,” “by two lengths,” etc.
- Jockey performance – Jockey performance props can be a bet on which jockey will win the most races during a race day, or a bet on a specific jockey to win a particular race.
- Winning time – Betting on the over/under for the winning horses’ time during a race.
- Starting position – Betting on whether the winning horses will come from the inside or outside post position.
- Photo finish – Betting on whether or not a race will be determined by a photo finish.
Tips for Betting on the Breeders’ Cup
If you’re truly looking to find more success when betting on the Breeders’ Cup, then it’s fair to say that some time and dedication will be required. Just like anything else, proper preparation is key to seeing the results you desire.
Below are some advanced tips for betting on the Breeders’ Cup:
Analyze Past Performances & Track Conditions
Using historical data on the horses in the race is one of the best ways to be fully prepared for betting on the Breeders’ Cup. Compare their performances against the track conditions they will be running on. Some key considerations include:
- Track Bias: Study the historical performance of horses on the specific track where the Breeders’ Cup is being held. Some tracks favor certain running styles (e.g., front-runners vs. closers).
- Surface Preference: Pay close attention to horses’ past performances on similar surfaces (dirt or turf). Some horses excel on one type of surface over the other.
- Distance Suitability: Evaluate how horses have performed at the distance of the race. Some horses are specialists at certain distances.
Use Advanced Handicapping Tools
Utilizing advanced figures such as Beyer Speed Figures is one of the most effective ways to improve your betting win rate. With detailed insights and analysis based on a wide array of factors, this data helps give you the statistical best chance you can have when placing a bet.
We offer a premium handicapping service using a complex algorithm, historical data, and various other metrics to offer picks and recommendations that help give you an edge over the sportsbooks.
Evaluate Key Prep Races
The great thing about the Breeders’ Cup is that you have access to a plethora of historical performance data for the horses. For the ones you’re considering betting on, it’s important to evaluate key prep races that took place before the Breeders’ Cup.
There are several major prep races that take place before the Breeders’ Cup, such as the Woodward Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the European Classics.
Use Multi-Race Wagers Strategically
Multi-race wagers, such as the Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6 mentioned above, can offer great payouts for bettors lucky enough to win. Build a ticket that has a mix of strong favorites and relatively safe value plays.
Leverage Race Day Information
Keep yourself in the loop on race day and continuously check for any changes in jockeys, late scratches, or anything else that can significantly impact the race dynamics. Several factors can affect the performance of a horse on race day, and you need to be updated to ensure you’re getting the most betting value possible.
You can stay updated easier by subscribing to social media accounts designed to break news for the Breeders’ Cup. These accounts are the quickest way to get updated, accurate information.
Pull Ahead of the Competition with Breeders’ Cup Insights
Maximize your profits during this year’s Breeders’ Cup and become an expert bettor yourself. Partner with us and gain access to all the tools and data that you need to be successful. New to horse racing? Learn the ropes in our comprehensive horse racing betting guide.
We offer comprehensive breakdowns of past performances, race and track analysis, access to exclusive information, betting recommendations, and more. Sign up today and start getting more value out of your betting efforts.