Breeders’ Cup 2024: Early contenders to watch

The season-ending Breeders’ Cup is steadily taking shape at this stage of the season, with Del Mar set to host the event at the start of November. 

Some of the biggest stars from around the world will take their chance at the event later this year, with European and Japanese raiders set to throw down challenges to America’s best horses. 

With some of the races beginning to take shape at this stage, it could be worth casting an eye over some runners that could take all the beating in their respective races later in 2024.

City of Troy

There was huge excitement before the flat season started in Europe when it came to the potential boasted by Aidan O’Brien’s City of Troy. The three-year-old is a son of the great Justify, and was dominant throughout his two-year-old season, which included a staggering success in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes. 

However, his reputation was impacted slightly on his return to action after finishing just ninth in the G1 2,000 Guineas. But, the response was emphatic in the G1 Epsom Derby, battering the field into submission to win by over two lengths. That was followed by a workman-like performance in the G1 Coral Eclipse, beating Al Riffa by a length. 

The plans remain open when it comes to his future targets, but hopes are high that the O’Brien camp may target a historic success in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in early November. 

Find how to bet on the Breeders Cup here: https://www.twinspires.com/edge/racing/wagering/best-bets/ 

Porta Fortuna

The Breeders’ Cup Mile has been a race dominated by European raiders throughout modern history, and that looks set to continue in 2024 based on the runners at the top of the betting. However, it could be worth siding with the Donnacha O’Brien-trained Porta Fortuna to cause a slight upset against the boys. 

Connections have already openly admitted that they will be travelling to the U.S. later this year, and a run over a mile should suit better than stretching out the three-year-old to compete in the Fillies and Mare Turf. Porta Fortuna has been incredibly consistent at the highest level throughout this season since finishing second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last year. 

She was second on her return to action in the G1 1,000 Guineas, before getting the better of Opera Singer to land the G1 Coronation Stakes. Her form reached new levels against older horses in mid-July, beating the field by three lengths in the G1 Falmouth Stakes. She could finally get the respect she deserves with a win at the Breeders’ Cup. 

Thorpedo Anna

The Breeders’ Cup Distaff is typically one of the most exciting races of the two-day meet, and there have been some exciting finishes in recent years. This year’s race looks set to be a thrilling renewal once again, as Thorpedo Anna and Idiomatic are set to clash in the Grade One. 

It would be very easy to make a case for the former at this early stage, as the three-year-old for Kenneth McPeek has been excellent on all three of her starts so far this year. No rival in her class has been able to get near her, with her professional display in the G1 Kentucky Oaks when beating Just F Y I by over four lengths remaining one of the best performances of the season. She followed up on that success at Saratoga in early June to beat Leslie’s Rose by five lengths in the G1 Acorn Stakes. 

There doesn’t appear to be a cap to her potential at this stage, and it will be fascinating to see how she performs against one of the very best fillies in the United States later this year in conditions that are set to favour both runners. 

Rebel’s Romance

The Breeders’ Cup Mile is another race that has been dominated by the European raiders in recent years, and defending champion Auguste Rodin could return to defend his crown. However, there are questions revolving around the top three in the betting, meaning that it could be worth taking a chance on Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance for trainer Charlie Appleby. 

The six-year-old has been very consistent on the global stage already this year, winning the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan and the G1 Charter Cup. He has won eight from eleven starts on the turf, and has prior experience of running in the United States. While there will likely be younger horses with solid claims on paper, Appleby has made a point this season of targeting U.S. graded races with a certain number of his runners. 

Rebel’s Romance deserves plenty of respect, and he could be worth following when he makes his return to action on the turf in North America before lining up at the Breeders’ Cup in early November. But, he ticks plenty of the right boxes at this early stage.