The 2025 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar is facing significant drama just days before the races begin on October 31st, with several major storylines developing around the participating horses.
Major Breaking News: Sovereignty’s Status in Doubt
The biggest story breaking is that Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner and 6-5 morning-line favorite for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, has developed a fever and his participation is now uncertain. Trainer Bill Mott reported that Sovereignty spiked a fever and his temperature was still elevated as of this morning. Blood samples have been taken and the horse has received medication, with Mott stating “there’s a possibility that he won’t make the race on Saturday” if the horse isn’t 100%. Racing experts note that horses rarely compete after developing fevers this close to race day.
Classic Field Shaping Up as “Race of the Century”
The 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic has been dubbed by many as potentially the most competitive edition in decades, featuring an elite field of 10 horses. Key contenders include:
Top Contenders
- Sovereignty (post 6, 6-5 favorite) – Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, though status now uncertain due to fever
- Sierra Leone (post 7, 8-1) – Defending 2024 Classic champion looking to repeat
- Fierceness (post 1, 4-1) – Pacific Classic winner at Del Mar, showing strong form at the track
- Forever Young (JPN) (6-1) – Japanese contender with three wins in four 2025 starts
- Journalism (10-1) – Multiple stakes winner aiming to cap off his season
International Presence Strong
The 2025 Breeders’ Cup features horses from five continents, with only three of the 14 races lacking international entries. Notable international horses include:
- Forever Young from Japan in the Classic
- Sahlan from France, coming off a Group 1 Prix du Moulin win, competing in the Mile
- One Stripe from South Africa, now trained by Graham Motion for the Mile
- Cinderella’s Dream, returning after finishing second in last year’s Filly and Mare Turf
Other Championship Race Highlights
Dirt Mile Features Past Champions
The Dirt Mile includes three previous Breeders’ Cup winners: White Abarrio (2023 Classic winner), Citizen Bull (2024 Juvenile winner), and defending champion Full Serrano. The field also features 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan.
Distaff and Other Races
Seismic Beauty is the 9-5 favorite in the Distaff after winning the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, while Nitrogen looks to rebound from her narrow Spinster Stakes defeat. The Sprint features defending champion Straight No Chaser facing 13 rivals.
Future Stars Friday
The juvenile races on October 31st feature trainer Aidan O’Brien with multiple favorites, including Precise in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Gstaad in the Juvenile Turf, both drawing outside posts. The marquee Juvenile race features undefeated colts Ted Noffey and Brant, both designated as ‘TDN Rising Stars’.
The post position draw was completed on October 27th, with the races set to run October 31st-November 1st at Del Mar, featuring over $34 million in purses across 14 Grade 1 races. With Sovereignty’s status creating uncertainty in the Classic, the betting landscape could shift dramatically in the coming days.
