1. The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Grade I Thoroughbred horse races, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982.From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days.All sites have been in the United States, except in 1996, when the races were at the Woodbine Racetrack in Canada.
2. The Breeders’ Cup Future Wager provides racing fans the opportunity to bet on Breeders’ Cup contenders early as they compete towards locking-in starts for their specific divisions. A future wager bet can offer larger payouts for horses who win their Breeders’ Cup race. This larger payout is due to advanced odds being frozen in place. Odds fluctuate, but the horse you bet now.

November 21, 2018: CHURCHILL DOWNS: 7: November 01, 2018: CHURCHILL DOWNS: 2: August 30, 2018: SARATOGA: 6: August 19, 2018: SARATOGA: 2: July 26, 2018: SARATOGA: 2: June 17, 2018: CHURCHILL DOWNS: 3: May 05, 2018: CHURCHILL DOWNS: 5: April 13, 2018: KEENELAND: 7: March 10, 2018: OAKLAWN PARK: 3: February 19, 2018: OAKLAWN PARK: 9: February 03, 2018: OAKLAWN PARK: 3.

The 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic was the 35th running of the Breeders' Cup Classic, part of the 2018 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships program. It was run on November 3, 2018 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky with a purse of $6,000,000. It was won by Accelerate, who earned his fifth Grade I win of the year.

The race was broadcast on NBC with a scheduled post time of 5:44 PM (EDT).^[3]

The Classic is run on dirt at one mile and one-quarter (approximately 2000 m). It is run under weight-for-age conditions, with entrants carrying the following weights:

• Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds: 122 lb
• Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds: 117 lb
• Four-year-olds and up: 126 lb
• Any fillies or mares receive a 3 lb allowance

Contenders[edit]

Pre-entries for the 2018 Classic were announced on October 24^[4] with the post position draw held on October 29.^[5]

The field for the 2018 Classic was weakened when the likely Horse of the Year, Justify, was retired in July. Justify won the American Triple Crown and his connections were hoping to complete the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing by also winning the Classic. However, a slight injury derailed those plans.^[6]Good Magic, winner of the Haskell Invitational and the 2017 champion two-year-old, was also retired due to injury.^[7] The connections of another leading contender, Whitney Stakes winner Diversify, opted to bypass the Classic when his trainer, Rick Violette, became ill^[8] and subsequently died.^[9]

• McKinzie

• Catholic Boy

• Disceet Lover

• Pavel

• Yoshida

In their absence, the race was considered highly competitive. Nineteen horses were pre-entered on October 24, though several of those had first preference in other races on the Breeders' Cup card. The leading contenders included:^{[4][5][10][11]}

• Accelerate, with two 2018 Breeders' Cup Challenge series 'Win and You're In' wins in the Pacific Classic and Awesome Again
• West Coast, second in the Awesome Again, Dubai World Cup and Pegasus World Cup
• McKinzie, winner of the Pennsylvania Derby
• Catholic Boy, with Grade I wins on both turf and dirt in the Belmont Derby and Travers Stakes respectively
• Discreet Lover, winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup
• Thunder Snow, winner of the 2018 Dubai World Cup and second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup
• Mendelssohn, winner of the UAE Derby and third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup
• Pavel, winner of the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in July
• Yoshida, winner of the Woodward Stakes after previously racing exclusively on turf
• Gunnevera, second in the Woodward
• Roaring Lion, with four Group I wins in Europe on the turf

Race description[edit]

A poor start resulted in the horses with inside posts (Thunder Snow, Roaring Lion, Catholic Boy, Gunnevera) all being bumped and losing position. Yoshida and Lone Sailor also broke poorly and settled at the back of the pack. On the other hand, Mendelssohn broke well from post position nine and worked his way to the rail. He took the lead going into the first turn over McKinzie, with West Coast and Thunder Snow close behind.^[1]

Accelerate, who broke from the outside post position, was urged by jockey Joel Rosario to get early position, then rated in fifth place around the first turn and down the backstretch. After starting his move down the far turn, he drew by Mendelssohn at the top of the stretch, then turned back a bid from Thunder Snow. Gunnevera mounted a late charge to take second place, a length behind Accelerate.^[1][12]

Accelerate's trainer John Sadler earned his first win at the Breeders' Cup in 45 attempts spread out over 30 years. 'I'm thrilled', said Sadler. 'In order to get the big one, you couldn't ask for a better day.'^[12]

With the win, Accelerate solidified his chances to win the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Male Dirt Horse, and sparked a debate in the Horse of the Year category. Accelerate won five Grade I races over the year, compared to four such wins for Justify. Justify's wins included the American Triple Crown, while Accelerate became the first horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap, Gold Cup at Santa Anita, Pacific Classic and Awesome Again, in addition to the Breeders' Cup Classic.^[13] 'This horse (Accelerate) is special. He's showed up every time. He's danced every dance. He's been solid', said his owner Kosta Hronis. 'This is Horse of the Year. It's a body of work, and what he has done in the last 12 months, I think he's well deserved to be of that honor. There's no doubt.'^[12]

Antonio Sano was equally proud of his trainee, Gunnevera. 'He ran second and had lost a couple lengths at the start', he pointed out. 'They sandwiched my horse. Every time we are closer and closer to winning a grade 1. He's going to race in 2019 and will point to the Pegasus.' That race is also under consideration for Accelerate, who will then head off to stud.^[12]

Breeders Cup Future Sites

Results[edit]

Times: ​¹⁄₄ – 0:22.68; ​¹⁄₂ – 0:46.46; ​³⁄₄ – 1:10.61; mile – 1:35.90; final – 2:02.93.
Fractional Splits: (:22.68) (:23.78) (:24.15) (:25.29) (:27.03)

Source: Equibase Chart^[1]

Payout[edit]

Payout Schedule:^[1]

• $1 Exacta (14-4) Paid $130.80
• $1 Trifecta (14-4-1) Paid $1,613.10
• $1 Superfecta (14-4-1-10) Paid $16,179.10

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcde'Chart for the 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic'. www.equibase.com. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
2. ^'Handle Down for 2018 Breeders' Cup'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
3. ^'Classic Breeders' Cup'. www.breederscup.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
4. ^ ^ab'Collected on Outside Looking in for BC Classic'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
5. ^ ^abFrakes, Jason. '5 storylines as the 2018 Breeders' Cup approaches at Churchill Downs'. The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
6. ^'Triple Crown Winner Justify Retired From Racing'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
7. ^'Champion Good Magic Retired to Hill 'n' Dale Farms'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
8. ^'Diversify Will Not Run in 2018 Breeders' Cup'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
9. ^'Respected New York Trainer Rick Violette Dies'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
10. ^Haskin, Steve. 'Classical Grass'. cs.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
11. ^Frakes, Jason. 'Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs: Meet the top contenders'. The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
12. ^ ^abcdAngst, Frank. 'Accelerate Finds Top Gear to Win Breeders' Cup Classic'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
13. ^'Accelerate wins Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs'. AP NEWS. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.

The fields have been drawn and the 35th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is just days away under the historic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs on November 2-3. The inaugural Future Stars Friday card will showcase talented two-year-olds, while their elder counterparts take the spotlight one day later.

Brisnet.com has kept pace throughout the season, with previews, recaps and news, and offers fans this convenient Guide to everything Breeders’ Cup related.

Check back each day for updates and don’t forget to visit TwinSpires.com for the Breeders’ Cup News & Notes page featuring handicapping articles and analysis!

FREE Brisnet.com PPS for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Classic!

Friday, November 2

6:05 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
5:22 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
4:40 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
4:00 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
3:21 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

Saturday, November 3

5:44 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Classic
4:56 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Turf
4:16 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Distaff
3:36 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Mile
2:46 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Sprint
2:04 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
1:16 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
12:38 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
12:00 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

Breeders’ Cup Headlines

Breeders Cup Future Odds

…MORE!

Breeders’ Cup Works

Breeders’ Cup Implications

October

Concrete Rose blossoms in Jessamine WAYI for Juvenile Fillies Turf
Jaywalk can’t be caught in Frizette
Crook dominates Flower Bowl; Uncle Benny rallies in Futurity
Blue Prize takes Spinster; Strike Silver, Current up in time in Keeneland juvenile turf stakes
Wild Illusion, Royal Marine, Lily’s Candle earn Breeders’ Cup spots on Arc undercard
Roy H superior again in Santa Anita Sprint Championship
Next Shares upsets Shadwell Turf Mile; A Raving Beauty changes tactics in First Lady
Knicks Go keeps going in 70-1 Breedes’ Futurity upset
Golden Mischief prevails in TCA; Bucchero defends title in Woodford
Complexity scores effortless wire victory in Champagne
Restless Rider gives McPeek fourth win in Alcibiades
Promises Fulfilled hangs on in Phoenix, earns berth in TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint

September

Future Breeders Cup Locations

Zenyatta stunner: Vale Dori recaptures spark Abel Tasman loses hers in fifth
Japan’s Fine Needles might use BC Turf Sprint ticket from Sprinters Stakes
Discreet Lover upsets Jockey Club Gold Cup
Channel Maker turns back rivals in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Imperial Hint headed to Breeders’ Cup Sprint off Vosburgh romp
Accelerate outlasts West Coast in clash of Breeders’ Cup Classic threats in Awesome Again
Vasilika makes it seven straight in Breeders’ Cup WAYI Rodeo Drive
Game Winner still perfect in Breeders’ Cup WAYI American Pharoah
Bellafina beautifully fine in Chandelier
Mohawk jumps up to earn BC ticket, European Road to the Kentucky Derby points in Royal Lodge
Just Wonderful acceleration in Breeders’ Cup WAYI Rockfel
La Pelosa, Fog of War win Breeders’ Cup berths at Woodbine in Natalma, Summer
Cairo Cat scratches out upset score in Iroquois, takes home Kentucky Derby points and Breeders’ Cup berth
Serengeti Empress conquers Breeders’ Cup WAYI Pocahontas by record margin
Ortiz’s supporting role earns Oscar Performance victory in the Woodbine Mile
Sippican Harbor sails to upset victory in Spinaway, WAYI berth to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

August

Glorious Empire leads all the way in Sword Dancer, earns berth in BC Turf
Abel Tasman edges Elate in Personal Ensign; Promises Fulfilled stars in Allen Jerkens Memorial
Whitmore prevails in Forego, Marley’s Freedom takes Ballerina in Saratoga bows
Catalina Cruiser makes short work of Pat O’Brien rivals, qualifies for BC Dirt Mile
Accelerate thrills in Pacific Classic runaway
Fashion Business romps in Del Mar Handicap, earns Breeders Cup Turf bid
Alpha Centauri stars in Prix Jacques le Marois, WAYI for Breeders’ Cup Mile
Robert Bruce Million victory adds to Arlington international flavor
Sistercharlie leads Brown sweep of Beverly D.
Diversify wires rain-delayed Whitney in effortless score
Lightning Spear takes Sussex, a WAYI for Breeders’ Cup Mile

July

Good Magic makes statement in Breeders’ Cup WAYI Haskell
Unique Bella earns Breeders’ Cup berth with Clement L. Hirsch score
Ransom the Moon rolls late to defend title, stamp Sprint ticket in Bing Crosby
Poet’s Word edges Crystal Ocean in King George exacta for record-breaking Stoute
Limousine Liberal secures Breeders’ Cup berth with Belmont Sprint Championship score

Breeders Cup Futures 2018 Schedule

June

Stormy Embrace upsets Princess Rooney to earn spot in Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
Long On Value streaks toward Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with Highlander victory
Mikki Rocket gets jump on Werther in Breeders’ Cup WAYI Takarazuka Kinen
Merchant Navy sails to Diamond Jubilee triumph on final day at Royal Ascot
Shang Shang Shang beats the boys in Norfolk; Dettori scores 60th victory at Royal Ascot
Poet’s Word captures Prince of Wales’s to give Stoute record 76th win at Royal Ascot
Without Parole, Accidental Agent and Blue Point star on Royal Ascot opener
Pavel breaks out of slump, punches Breeders’ Cup ticket in Stephen Foster
Blue Prize takes the Breeders’ Cup prize in Fleur de Lis
Bee Jersey holds off Mind Your Biscuits to win Met Mile
Abel Tasman romps in Ogden Phipps
Disco Partner repeats in Jaipur
Frankel colt Mozu Ascot hits new high in Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Yasuda Kinen

May

April

February

January

Legal Eagle earns Breeders’ Cup Mile berth in Queen’s Plate three-peat
Oh Susanna beats elders in Paddock, gains spot in Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf