Updated on: October 3rd, 2024
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is one of the biggest events on the horse racing calendar. Since launching in 1984, the thoroughbred racing event, which consists of 14 races, has grown to become one of the most attended sporting events. And this is despite the event being hosted at a different race track every year.
In fact, the 2019 Breeders Cup, which took place at Santa Anita Park in California, had more people in attendance than either the Super Bowl or UEFA Champions League final of that same year.
But the Breeders’ Cup doesn’t just draw big numbers of attendees; it also draws big bets. On-location alone, more than $174,000,574 was wagered on Breeders’ Cup odds in 2019. This doesn’t even account for the people betting at local or online sportsbooks.
The Breeders’ Cup is an exciting horse racing event that is considered the fourth jewel in the Triple Crown. So, it is no wonder that so many people like betting on it. If you are keen to find out more about betting on this famous horse racing event, keep reading.
Below we look at how to bet on the Breeders’ Cup and provide some online gambling sites that allow you to do so. We also have a look at some Breeders’ Cup betting tips to get you started on the right foot. So, read on and begin your Breeders’ Cup betting journey today!
Bet on the Breeders’ Cup Here
How to Bet on the Breeders Cup
Horse racing betting has a bad reputation for being overly complex. Betting markets are slightly different from those seen in other sports, but this shouldn’t put you off. Here are all the most popular Breeders Cup betting lines at sports betting sites explained:
Standard
Standard bets are wagers on a single horse and where it finishes. Below are the most popular standard bets:
- Win – this is bet on a horse to win a race.
- Place – a place bet allows your horse to finish in either first or second place.
- Show – similar to a place bet, but your horse can now come in third place for a payout.
Exotic
These bets are slightly more complex than standard bets because your payout depends on more than one result. However, more conditions also mean a greater payout, so there are some advantages to taking bigger risks. Here are some of the most popular exotic bets:
- Quinella – pick two horses to place and show in one race in any order.
- Exacta – similar to a quinella, but your horses need to finish in your predicted positions.
- Trifecta – similar to an exacta bet, but now you’re guessing the which three horses will finish in first, second, and third.
- Quadrella – with a quadrella, you pick the winner of four Breeders’ Cup races.
- Boxed bets – a boxed bet involves placing multiple exactas and trifectas on the same race. You increase your odds of winning with boxed bets, but it is an expensive practice.
Breeders Cup Pick 6
The Pick 6 is a special bet strongly associated with the Breeders’ Cup. With a Pick 6, you pick the winners of six races. You can either place a Pick 6 bet on races 4-9 or 7-12.
If you win a Pick 6 bet, you are promised a big payout. But this is a tough bet to get right.
Think of it as parlaying futures on the Super Bowl, NBA Championship, the World Series, and the Stanley Cup. In theory, it seems amazing. But in practice, it is almost near impossible.
Breeders Cup’ Betting Challenge Explained
Breeders’ Cup organizers also have their own betting tournament they run with year’s event known as the Breeders Cup Betting Challenge. It works as follows:
- You need to deposit $10,000 into your Breeders’ Cup betting account and spend at least $7,500 on bets.
- For each successful bet, you earn points. When the Breeders’ Cup comes to a close, points are tallied up, and the person at the top of the leaderboard wins a cash prize. The prize amount is dependent on how many people enter the tournament.
The rules of the Challenge state that the following bet types count towards the challenge:
- Win
- Place
- Show
- Exactas
- Trifectas
- Daily doubles
Breeders’ Cup Betting Tips
Horse racing betting isn’t as popular as it used to be. So, betting on ponies can be a little difficult if you’re new. So, here are some tips to help you build your Breeders’ Cup betting strategy:
Focus on the Draw
Results from previous Breeders’ Cup events show that, statistically, more horses have won in posts 1-3 and 5 than in 10-14. A pick in posts 10 to 14 can win a race; it’s just less likely.
Betting on Favorites Isn’t a Bad Idea
Past results also show that favorites have won roughly 31% of all Breeders’ Cup races. So, make sure to research the favorites.
Look at Jockeys
Some jockeys have won more Breeders’ Cup races than others. Research a jockey’s record at the event, too, before picking a horse to maximize your winning potential.
Look at Trainers
Similar to jockeys, some trainers also have a better record at the Breeders’ Cup than others. RES. You don’t want to wager against a proven winner.
History
The Breeders’ Cup is a tournament unlike any other in horse racing. The aim is to crown true thoroughbred champions in every division of racing. The first Breeders’ Cup Championship was held in 1984 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California.
The annual event is held at different North American racetracks, with Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park having hosted more instalments than any other tracks. The event has also previously been hosted at Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park, Lone Star Park, Monmouth Park, Woodbine, and Keeneland.
In most cases, Breeders’ Cup race winners earn Horse of the Year honors in their divisions. Most of the fields are restricted to 14 runners with the exclusion of the Dirt Mile, which is restricted to 12.
Horses qualify for entry in the Breeders’ Cup Race all year round by earning points and taking part in races chosen as “Win & You’re In” events, including the Preakness Stakes, Kentucky Oaks, and Kentucky Derby.
Breeders’ Cup Odds – FAQs
How do you bet on the Breeders’ Cup?
1. Intertops
2. Bovada
3. XBet
4. SportsBetting.ag
5. BetOnline.ag
6. MyBookie.ag
7. SportBet
8. GT Bets
9. WagerWeb
10. BetNow
There are fourteen races in the Breeders’ Cup.
In 2020, the Breeders’ Cup will be hosted at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.
The first filly to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic was Zenyatta. She was also the first horse ever to win two Breeders’ Cup races.
Mike Smith holds the record for the most wins in the Breeders’ Cup with 26. His last Breeders’ Cup Classic win was in 2016.
The Breeders’ Cup got its name from the fact that Thoroughbred breeders mostly fund the event with their entry fees.
