The racing world turns its attention to the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar as trainers finalize preparations for what promises to be one of the most competitive editions in the event’s history. Meanwhile, rising stars continue to emerge on the fall racing circuit, and the final yearling sales of 2025 get underway at Fasig-Tipton’s October Sale.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Shaping Up as Historic Battle
With less than two weeks remaining until the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 1 at Del Mar, the race is developing into what could be one of the most competitive editions in the event’s storied history. The stellar field features an unprecedented convergence of talent, with the top three finishers from last year’s Classic—Sierra Leone, Fierceness, and Forever Young—all pointing toward another showdown at the seaside track.
Adding to the intrigue, the leading trio of 3-year-old runners—Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza—are also targeting the 1 ¼-mile test. The race will go a long way toward determining the 2025 Horse of the Year recipient at the Eclipse Awards in January, making it a must-watch event for racing enthusiasts.
First-Time Breeders’ Cup Trainer Eyes Filly & Mare Sprint Glory
Trainer Robbie Medina is preparing for an emotional milestone as he readies Praying for the $1 million PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint on November 1. The 52-year-old Chicago native, who spent 25 years as an assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey before opening his own stable three years ago, will saddle his first-ever Breeders’ Cup starter.
Praying earned her fees-paid berth by capturing the October 4 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland, defeating the accomplished Vahva by half a length under jockey John Velazquez. The victory marked Medina’s first stakes win at Keeneland and came after extensive patience and schooling with the volatile filly, who had been scratched from her intended debut at Saratoga due to paddock antics.
The still-maturing sophomore has shown dramatic improvement in her behavior, rewarding her connections with a breakthrough in the Prioress Stakes on August 30 at Saratoga, where she was sent off at 21.20-1 odds and scored by 3 ½ lengths. Velazquez, the all-time leader in jockey earnings with over $509 million, has retained the mount for the Breeders’ Cup.
“To have a horse in the Breeders’ Cup means a lot to me. To have one that has a chance means even more,” Medina said, crediting McGaughey’s lessons on patience as key to Praying’s development. The filly has won three of nine career starts with four runner-up efforts for earnings of $466,040.
Dr. Kapur Earns Rising Star Status with Keeneland Victory
Homebred Dr. Kapur, a 2-year-old colt by McKinzie out of Ava’s Kitten, graduated with authority at Keeneland on Thursday, earning a ‘TDN Rising Star’ designation with a dominant 2 ¾-length victory. The Ken Ramsey colorbearer, sent off as the 4-5 favorite, covered seven furlongs in 1:23.71 under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
The colt, who finished a game second by a neck in a coveted Travers Day maiden at Saratoga on August 23, showed improved tactical speed at Keeneland. After being hounded through an opening quarter in :22.47, Dr. Kapur established breathing room on the far turn and drew clear in the stretch while pulling away at the finish.
Dr. Kapur is named after Dr. Sandip Kapur, the surgeon who performed Ramsey’s kidney transplant last year. The colt will be aimed at the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on November 29. He becomes the fourth Rising Star for Gainesway sophomore sire McKinzie.
The colt’s pedigree features an interesting grass-to-dirt angle, as his dam Ava’s Kitten made all 13 career starts on turf and is a stakes winner. Her full-brother Real Solution captured two of the country’s top grass stakes, the Grade I Arlington Million and Grade I Manhattan Stakes. Ramsey also bred and raced the late champion Kitten’s Joy, Dr. Kapur’s broodmare sire.
Final Yearling Sales of 2025 Underway
The Fasig-Tipton October Sale, running October 20-23, represents the final yearling auction in North America for 2025. A total of 1,601 yearlings have been cataloged for the four-day sale, giving buyers one last opportunity to acquire young prospects for the 2027 racing season.
Weekend Stakes Action
The Autumn Days Stakes took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, as Race 9, continuing the fall stakes calendar. Racing action at Keeneland and Will Rogers Downs highlighted Monday’s schedule as tracks across North America continue their autumn meets.
