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Every sport has a definitive year-ending event to crown its champions. In Thoroughbred racing, the Breeders' Cup World Championships is the culmination of the horse racing season worldwide and the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic is the defining event of the international racing season.

The Breeders' Cup Classic, run at 1 1/4 miles, draws the top international Thoroughbreds year after year. It is open to horses 3-years-old and older and is limited to 14 starters.

With every major prep and every "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race in the rearview mirror, the 41st Breeders' Cup at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is in full focus as racing's World Championships beckon November 1 & 2.

Although there are 14 races and more than $28 million in purses and awards at stake, the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) will garner the most attention. This year's Classic figures to not only decide Horse of the Year, but is shaping up as one of the very best in the race's long and storied history.

Fierceness

Fierceness, winner of the 2023 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, may have another Breeders' Cup date in Southern California this fall when Del Mar hosts the World Championships. Fierceness could pursue the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2.

The champion 2-year-old male of last year, Fierceness has displayed brilliance again in 2024, while also continuing through the first half of his 3-year-old campaign a pattern of alternating lesser efforts with eye-catching performances.

A disappointing third in the Feb. 3 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) to begin his year at Gulfstream Park, he rebounded there with a romp in the March 30 Curlin Florida Derby (G1), a performance that helped make him the favorite in the May 4 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). But after breaking awkwardly and pushing the pace beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, he came up empty in the stretch, fading to 15th.

Given time off after the Derby, he would rebound in the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes presented by Mohegan Sun (G2) at Saratoga, turning back an inside bid from Sierra Leone to win by a length, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.15.

The Jim Dandy was his fourth victory and his third in stakes. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez described his performance as "incredible."

"He tucked up a bit after the Derby and shipping in, we felt confident that we needed to regroup and then it was just a matter of deciding between the Haskell (G1) and the Jim Dandy," Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher added.

Pletcher said he feels his colt seems to "do better with a little bit of extra time in between races."

On Aug. 24 at Saratoga, Fierceness showed he could perform brilliantly coming back in four weeks as he held off the filly Thorpedo Anna by a head to win the 1 1/4-mile Draftkings Travers (G1).

A homebred for Repole Stable, Fierceness is by 2018 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner City of Light out of the Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella.

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City of Troy

City of Troy, Europe's champion juvenile after winning all three of his starts in 2023, disappointed in his first start of 2024 with a ninth-place finish in the May 4 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (G1) at Newmarket in his debut at age 3.

But a bounce-back was quick to follow, as City of Troy produced a dominant success in the Betfred Derby (G1) on June 1 at Epsom Racecourse, giving a record-extending 10th Derby victory for trainer Aidan O'Brien and a fourth for jockey Ryan Moore.

Then a start later, he would add another top-level stakes success in taking the July 6 Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park - despite Moore regretting his positioning of the heavy favorite by placing him middle of the course for the final run. Moore also reported that City of Troy lost momentum earlier in the race after taking an awkward step.

City of Troy battled to hold off the challenge of Al Riffa (FR) in the final furlong to score by a length.

The Coral-Eclipse earned him expense-paid opportunities to pursue one of two races on California Crown Day Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park if his connections can be lured to run him in the United States before the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

The colt, owned by Coolmore-affiliated connections, is likely to race in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at 1 1/2 miles on turf or the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Both races are Nov. 2 at Del Mar in Southern California. These connections also have Auguste Rodin (IRE) under consideration for those races.

Following the Coral-Eclipse, Coolmore's John Magnier expressed enthusiasm about trying the Classic, saying, "We enjoy trying to do something out of the ordinary."

City of Troy's sire, Justify, excelled on dirt, winning the 2018 Triple Crown.

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Forever Young

Forever Young entered this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs widely considered to be Japan's best hope to end the country 0-for-6 mark in the Run for the Roses, with their top finishes twice being sixths, first by Master Fencer (JPN) in 2019 and then by Derma Sotogake (JPN) in 2023.

While Forever Young fell short of victory with a third-place finish, he proved he is among the world's top 3-year-old dirt horses in defeat, edged by just two noses.

His performance was more eye-catching given his trip. Off poorly and in 16th place of 20 horses down the backstretch, he rallied to run just behind victorious Mystik Dan and runner-up Sierra Leone, doing so after bumping with the second-place finisher as that rival drifted toward Forever Young down the stretch.

Forever Young returned to Japan shortly after the May 4 race, though he could return to the United States in the fall. The Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar is a possibility for the talented son of Real Steel (JPN), who prior to the Derby had compiled a 5-for-5 record with three victories in his native Japan and two in the Middle East. There, he won the Boutique Group Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and U.A.E. Derby Sponsored By Atlantis The Royal (G2) in Dubai at Meydan Racecourse.

Forever Young, owned by Susumu Fujita, is trained by Yoshito Yahagi, who won two Breeders' Cup races at the 2021 World Championships at Del Mar with Loves Only You (JPN) and March Lorraine (JPN). Loves Only You triumphed in the Maker's Mark Breeder's Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and Marche Lorraine in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Sierra Leone

Signaling his stakes potential last year at age 2 when he was second, beaten a nose by Dornoch, in a stirring Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct, Sierra Leone has developed into one of the top 3-year-olds in North America in 2024.

A winner of his first two starts this year, capturing the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, the son of Gun Runner later hit the board twice in two legs of the Triple Crown when second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and third in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

A nose away from catching Mystik Dan and Kentucky Derby glory, he noticeably drifted in and bumped with third-place Forever Young (JPN) in the May 4 classic - jostling that may have compromised both runners.

In the lead-up to the Belmont, trainer Chad Brown changed bits to try to curb his colt's inside-drifting tendency and switched riders from Tyler Gaffalione to Flavien Prat.

Starting as the Belmont favorite, Sierra Leone's rally would fall 1 1/2 lengths short of catching the winner, his Remsen nemesis Dornoch. Sierra Leone was a length behind runner-up Mindframe.

Returning from the Triple Crown at Saratoga July 27 in the Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (G2), he closed up the inside down the stretch to check in a length behind Fierceness, last year's champion 2-year-old male.

A $2.3 million auction purchase in 2022 at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, Sierra Leone races for owners Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Rocket Ship Racing.

Bred in Kentucky by Debby Oxley, Sierra Leone is out of the Grade 1-winning Malibu Moon mare Heavenly Love.

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Highland Falls

Highland Falls has a Breeders' Cup pedigree, being a son of 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) winner Curlin out of 2006 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Round Pond.

Now he has a berth in the Breeders' Cup by winning the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) Sept. 1 at Saratoga. Over the same 1 1/4-mile distance of the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, that race served as a Classic qualifier through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.

His win may have earned him automatic, paid entry, but the eye-opening nature of his performance illustrated that he would go there as a contender.

Hounding favored Arthur's Ride, winner of the Whitney Stakes (G1), through honest fractions, he put away that foe and opened up down the stretch. He crossed the wire 4 lengths in front of Pyrenees with Disarm grabbing the show. He raced the distance in 2:03.25 under Flavien Prat.

"I thought if one horse could handle the distance, it was him. We wanted to break running and then try to make a good pace," Prat said. "That was the case, and we got past the wire for the first time, it felt like Arthur's Ride was going a bit quicker, easier than me, so I don't need to go on, but I was able to get him outside after that and give him another push. He was just a well of stamina."

The Jockey Club Gold Cup was a breakthrough performance from the Brad Cox-trained Highland Falls at the Grade 1 level, but not his only high-class stakes effort.

This year, as a 4-year-old, he also won the Blame Stakes (G3) and was second in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3).

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Ushba Tesoro

At age 7, Ushba Tesoro (JPN) is older than many of his counterparts pursuing the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar but no less of a contender.

The veteran racehorse competed on turf early in his career before experiencing greater success once transferred to dirt. He won the 2022 Tokyo Daishoten and the 2023 Kawasaki Kinen before exhibiting his talent on the international stage by taking the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan Racecourse in March 2023.

This victory marked the first time since Victoire Pisa (JPN) in 2011 that a Japanese horse captured the race, and the first time that a Japanese horse won the Dubai World Cup since the race was switched from all-weather to dirt.

Given a break until September 2023, Ushba Tesoro then won the Nippon TV Hai before traveling to the United States and finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. He returned to action late in the year, winning the Tokyo Daishoten at Oi on Dec. 29.

For his achievements in 2023, he was awarded the JRA Special Award and the NAR Dirt Grade Race Special Award of the year.

Given more international opportunities in 2024, he returned to action in the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1), checking in second a head behind Senor Buscador, before another runner-up finish, this time in the March 30 Dubai World Cup behind runaway winner Laurel River. Ushba Tesoro edged Senor Buscador by a neck for the runner-up spot in Dubai.

With his massive earnings from lucrative international races, Ushba Tesoro surpassed Equinox (JPN) as the highest-earning horse in Japanese history. His Dubai World Cup earnings pushed his bankroll past $16 million.

A son of Orfevre (JPN), Ushba Tesoro is trained by Noboru Takagi for owner Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co.

Arthur's Ride

Glassman Racing's Arthur's Ride entered his 4-year-old season in 2024 as a promising colt, but one with a single victory from three starts.

But by mid-summer, he is widely considered to be one of the fastest dirt horses in North America after winning three of his first four starts of his 2024 campaign, topped by the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) on Aug. 3. In front for much of the Whitney, Arthur's Ride sped 1 1/8 miles in a sparkling 1:48.54 over a sealed muddy track under Junior Alvarado, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over late-running Crupi.

His Whitney score, his second consecutive overpowering romp at Saratoga, earned him a paid berth into the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. Seven times since 1998 the winner of the Whitney has repeated that same year in the Breeders' Cup Classic, including just last year when White Abarrio pulled off the Whitney-Classic double.

Bred by Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon and Tapit Syndicate, Arthur's Ride is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Victory to Victory. He was bought by agent Donato Lanni for $250,000 from the Gainesway consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

His victory gave Bill Mott his first Whitney in his legendary Hall of Fame training career.

Arthur's Ride's achievement was particularly meaningful for owner Karl Glassman, who named the Tapit colt after his late father.

"He passed a year and a half ago and he knew before he passed away that I named the horse after him and he said, 'You didn't have to do that.' I said, 'Dad, I really did. You had a great ride.' And he looked at me and said, 'I have,'" Glassman recalled. "He was 91 and had a great life."

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Tapit Trice

Winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G3) as a 3-year-old in 2023, Tapit Trice is now one of the top 4-year-olds in the country.

Returning from a layoff of nearly 11 months after a third-place finish in the Travers Stakes (G1) in August 2023, Tapit Trice decisively won the July 20 Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) in his first start of the season. Always within 1 3/4 lengths off the pace, he moved from sixth to third down the backstretch under Irad Ortiz Jr., took command in the stretch, and drew off to a 5 1/4-length victory over Highland Falls. The Todd Pletcher trainee raced 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.46 over a fast main track at Monmouth Park on Haskell Stakes Day.

Both Tapit Trice and Highland Falls returned in the Sept. 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at Saratoga though this time it was Highland Falls that would emerge victorious. The latter scored by 4 lengths over Pyrenees, with Tapit Trice settling for fourth, edged by a nose by Disarm for the show spot. Tapit Trice lost by 6 3/4 lengths with a wide advance around the second turn under Ortiz.

Tapit Trice added a Grade 2 victory to his resume on Sept. 28 when he rallied in deep stretch to overtake Skippylongstocking to win the Woodward at Aqueduct by three-quarters of a length over a sealed muddy track.

Tapit Trice, owned by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable, has an eventual stallion's pedigree, being a gray and/or roan son of the legendary Tapit out of three-time stakes winner Danzatrice. The Gainesway Thoroughbreds-bred colt was a $1.3 million yearling purchase by Whisper Hill Farm from Gainesway's consignment to the 2021 September Yearling Sale at Keeneland.

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Newgate

A Grade 3 winner as a 3-year-old in 2023 but forced to miss the Triple Crown because of injury, Newgate has gone on to do bigger things at age 4.

Second in his first two starts at Santa Anita in the early part of 2024, including the San Pasqual Stakes (G2), he then outran Subsanador (ARG) to win the March 3 Santa Anita Handicap presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino (Gr. 1) under legendary jockey Frankie Dettori.

Dettori called it a "real feather in my cap" to win such a historic race, one he began idolizing as a kid in the 1980s.

"I thought I would get to the line OK and in fairness Subsanador gave me a good fight," he said of the head victory. "The last 20 yards we got out in front, and I couldn't believe it. I could not believe that I had done it."

The victory was an important one for Newgate, a son of Into Mischief, and for his owners - SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Bob Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan. The group's operating strategy is to develop well-bred colts into Grade 1 winners, making them valuable as stallion prospects.

For his next start, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sent Newgate to Dubai where the colt ran ninth at Meydan Race Course in the March 30 Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1).

Given a break after his travel to and from the Middle Easy, he did not return until the Sept. 28 California Crown Stakes presented by SirDavis American Whisky (G1) at Santa Anita, where this time Subsanador edged him. He finished third, beaten a head and a nose, with stablemate National Treasure holding second after setting the pace.

Baffert said National Treasure and Newgate "ran their hearts out. We just got beat."

Mixto

Mixto already has pulled off one Grade 1 surprise, taking the Aug. 31 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic (G1) at odds of 22-1.

Later this fall, he will try to do it again over the same 1 ¼-mile distance at Del Mar. By winning the Pacific Classic -- part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In -- he has an entry-paid berth into the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The $7 million Classic is the richest Breeders' Cup race contested each year.

He finished the Pacific Classic in 2:02.10 under Kyle Frey.

"He gave us a few hints of being a special horse but today he really validated the horse he is," trainer Doug O'Neill said

Though Mixto was sharp in running down Full Serrano (ARG) by a half-length in the Pacific Classic after chasing him throughout, a half dozen or more horses likely are to be ahead of him as the Breeders' Cup Classic favorites, owing to the Classic drawing the world's best. The Pacific Classic included just one existing Grade 1 stakes winner after morning-line favorite Adare Manor was scratched.

Mixto has shown an affinity for the Del Mar main track. Besides his Pacific Classic victory, his only other win came in the maiden ranks over the Del Mar surface in November 2023.

Elsewhere, before his Pacific Classic breakthrough, he posted four stakes placings in the 2023 San Antonio Stakes (G2), and the San Pasqual Stakes (G2), California Stakes (G3) and Pleasanton Mile -- all in 2024. He was second in the San Antonio and Pleasanton Mile and third in the other two stakes.

Calumet Farm's Mixto is a 4-year-old son of 2017 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Good Magic out of the Concerto mare Musical Mystery.

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Seize the Grey

Seize the Grey seized his moment this spring when racing in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes (G1), taking command at the start and defeating Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Mystik Dan in the breakout performance of his 3-year-old season.

But the race was not his only stellar effort as a 3-year-old. In March, he ran third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park and his coming out party as a stakes-winning sophomore occurred in the Pat Day Mile presented by SAP (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.

The final leg of the Triple Crown did not go Seize the Grey's way as he faded to finish seventh behind Dornoch in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga after setting the pace.

Then in a return appearance at Saratoga July 27, he finished fourth in the Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (G2), this time after being rated early. He finished 12 lengths behind victorious Fierceness in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Seize the Grey is trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who is still flourishing his late 80s and showing the world he can win some of the most important races in North America. Seize the Grey gave him his seventh victory in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown and 15th Triple Crown win over his legendary career.

With Seize the Grey owned by the microshare partnership MyRacehorse, Lukas got to share the Preakness experience with hundreds of owners on-track, and even-more watching off-site. More than 2,500 MyRacehorse shareholders own a fractional interest in Seize the Grey.

A son of the late Arrogate out of the stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Smart Shopping, Seize the Grey's breeding rights were sold this summer to Gainesway, where he will stand at stud upon his retirement from racing.

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Skippylongstocking

Skippylongstocking, a $37,000 purchase by owner Daniel Alonso as an unraced 2-year-old, has enjoyed a fairy-tale racing career by becoming a multi-millionaire.

Winner of the West Virginia Derby (G3) and Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) as a 3-year-old in 2022, he has since developed into one of the top older horses in the country. Two races he won last year as a 4-year-old, the Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs and Charles Town Classic (G2), he also took again in 2024 -- plus he also won the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in the spring.

In taking this summer's $1 million Charles Town Classic, he ran a race remarkably similar to the one he produced in 2023. Taking charge early, he blew away the competition, crossing the wire 5 3/4 lengths in front. He similarly won in front-running fashion last year, though by a 5-length margin.

His time of 1:50.34 under Jose Ortiz was quicker than his 2023 clocking of 1:51.37, giving every indication that 5-year-old son of Exaggerator is faster than ever.

Skippylongstocking surpassed the $3 million mark in earnings with a runner-up finish in the Woodward (G2) at Aqueduct on Sept. 28. Racing over a muddy, sealed track, Skippylongstocking tired in the final sixteenth of a mile and finished three-quarters of a length behind Tapit Trice.

The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee has thrice been third in top-tier graded company -- beginning in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Belmont Park in 2022, continuing last year in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Santa Anita Park, and this year in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Though most of his experience has been in races at 1 1/8 miles or shorter, his show effort in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont would suggest he is not entirely limited to racing in short- and middle-distance routes. With a purse of $7 million, the 1 1/4-mile Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) is richer than the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Both two-turn races are Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Crupi

After winning two ungraded stakes to close out his 3-year-old season in 2023, late-developing Crupi has taken the next step as a 4-year-old to become a graded stakes winner.

Winner of the Suburban Stakes (G2) June 8 at Saratoga for owners Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, Crupi later finished second in both the July 5 Brooklyn Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct and in the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

Crupi did not race after the Whitney until Sept. 28 at Aqueduct in the Woodward (G2). Contested at 1 1/8 miles over a muddy, sealed track, Crupi tired late to finish third, 14 lengths behind the victorious Tapit Trice.

Also, he was third in the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Baccarat (G1) at Gulfstream Park in his season's kickoff race.

The only time the Todd Pletcher trainee was off the board in 2024 was when he ran 10th when sent to the Middle East to race in the March 30 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan.

Although no match for either Next or Arthur's Ride when runner-up to those foes in the Brooklyn and Whitney, respectively, both races came against two of North America's best. He closed to finish 2 ¼ lengths behind Arthur's Ride in the Whitney, outfinishing Post Time by a neck for the place.

Having won at a Breeders' Cup Classic distance in the Suburban, he is a proven commodity at the 1 ¼-mile trip heading into the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar. A Claiborne Farm-bred son of Curlin, who had Classic success in 2007, Crupi is a late-running "horse that wants to make one late run," Pletcher said.

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Pyrenees

Late-developing Pyrenees exited his 3-year-old season with only a maiden victory in his fifth career start. But buoyed by that confidence-boosting victory in December and further development as a 4-year-old, the son of Into Mischief has become one of the top older dirt horses in North America.

Rising up the ranks, he won an allowance race Jan. 27 at Fair Grounds in his first start of 2024 before adding an allowance optional claiming victory at Keeneland April 12. Next, he established himself at the stakes level, capturing the May 17 Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) by defeating Kingsbarns by three-quarters of a length.

"He's been a horse that's been a challenge for us, and he faced a lot of adversity in that race," said Cherie DeVaux, who trains the homebred for Bonnie Baskin and Adam Corndorf of Blue Heaven Farm. "Didn't have a clear trip, had to sit back, and then they were going so slow, for him to close into that was really special."

A little more than a month later, Pyrenees and Kingsbarn would shine in the June 29 Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, though this time Kingsbarns came out on top, a 2 1/2-length winner over runner-up Pyrenees.

Then, heading to Saratoga for the historic Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1), Pyrenees again placed at the top stakes level with another second-place finish, 4 lengths behind Highland Falls.

"He ran a big race," jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. said. "Turning for home with the way those two hooked up down the backside, I thought they'd both come back to us, but Highland Falls kept going and kept finding, and my horse ran a big second. We're proud of him. For him to be second in two Grade 1s now, you've got to be proud of him."

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Il Miracolo

Il Miracolo has proven to be a bargain for owner Eduardo Soto (Alexandres, LLC). Offered three times at public auction, II Miracolo originally sold for $75,000 at Keeneland's Horses of All Ages Sale in January 2021. After failing to meet his reserve at Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale in 2021, Soto purchased Il Miracolo for a modest $70,000 at the OBS June Two-Year-Olds & Horses of Racing Age Sale in 2022.

Now 4, the son of 2017 Horse of the Year and super sire Gun Runner has bankrolled $777,135 in 22 lifetime races, almost 90 percent generated through 15 graded stakes starts. Il Miracolo is a two-time Grade 3 winner, claiming the Smarty Jones for 3-year-olds in August 2023 at Parx and the Ghostzapper for older horses March 30 at Gulfstream Park. Both races were 1 1/16 miles. Il Miracolo's other two victories to date (2022 maiden special weight and 2023 allowance) came in one-turn miles at Gulfstream Park.

Il Miracolo also ran third in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in September 2023 at Parx, second in the Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2) in October 2023 at Keeneland and sixth the Pegasus World Cup Invitational presented by Baccarat (G1) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/8-mile Fayette was Il Miracolo's first start against older horses.

Il Miracolo made his first trip west of the Mississippi for the Aug. 31 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar going 1 1/4 miles. The result was a last-place finish in the field of eight, 10 3/4 lengths behind the victorious Mixto.

Florida-based Antonio Sano trains Il Miracolo. Sano, after reportedly being kidnapped twice in his native Venezuela, moved his family to the United States in 2009. A training star in Venezuela, Sano finished second in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) with Gunnevera. Sano purchased Gunnevera, a multiple Grade 2 winner of $5,561,800, for just $16,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Kentucky-bred Il Miracolo is out of Tapit's World, a stakes-placed daughter of Tapit. World, a stakes-placed daughter of Tapit.

Next

Next was a solid performer during the early part of his career before he was claimed for $62,500 in April 2022 by owner Michael Foster and trainer William "Doug" Cowans. Since then, many of his efforts, particularly those over a marathon distance on dirt, have been "Next" level.

He notched two blowout stakes wins in such races in late 2022, taking the off-the-turf Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park by 18 1/4 lengths and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2) at Keeneland as a Breeders' Cup undercard race by 6 1/4 lengths.

Returned in the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes the following May, he ran third, but he has been spectacular since. He racked up victories in the Brooklyn Stakes (G2), Birdstone Stakes (listed) and Greenwood Cup (G3) to complete his 2023 campaign.

This year, he captured the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes before romping in the Brooklyn and Birdstone once again, taking the latter race by 22 1/4 lengths.

Next continued his domination of the marathon ranks on Sept. 21 at Parx as he repeated in the Greenwood Cup. Taking command on the final turn at odds of 1-20, Next cruised to a 10-length victory while not being asked for his best.

His performance in capturing the 1 3/8-mile Brooklyn by 9 1/4 lengths raised interest that the naturally speedy runner could have the ability to cut back to a classic distance and be effective. Still, the quicker pace that develops in shorter races, particularly at the highest level, has given his connections pause, along with his effectiveness as a long-distance runner.

But there are 7 million reasons -- specifically dollars -- for his connections to explore running Next in the lucrative Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles. Marathon dirt races are typically contested for purses of $200,000 or less.

His 1 1/4-mile split in the Brooklyn at Aqueduct was 2:01.79 -- faster than White Abarrio's winning time of 2:02.87 in the Breeders' Cup Classic last fall at Santa Anita Park.

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Rattle N Roll

After finishing third in the Sept. 28 Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs following almost a year layoff, Rattle N Roll could make a return to top-level stakes company in the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

The Kenny McPeek trainee, a 5-year-old son of Connect, has appeared in upper-tier stakes previously, capturing the 2021 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland as a 2-year-old. Then after winning three stakes in 2022 as a 3-year-old, two minor stakes race and a Grade 3, he enjoyed a banner season as a 4-year-old in 2023.

That year he won three Grade 3s in the spring before he ventured into top company, running second in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1), and a sixth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). His season concluded with a fourth in last year's Lukas Classic.

He would not resume racing until this fall's Lukas Classic, and he performed well after his extended break. Though Hit Show and Cookie Creek, the top-two finishers, were well in front, Rattle N Roll was brave to show, outrunning Disarm by a neck for that spot.

Rattle N Roll races for the Lucky Seven Stable, whose stable name is a reference to the seven founding members of the stable: Ginny and Leo Mackin -- both now deceased - and their children Mike, Jeff, Kim, Jay and Craig.

Rattle N Roll and the now-retired graded rakes winner Smile Happy are two of the partnership's top horses of recent years. McPeek bought Rattle N Roll for Lucky Seven Stable for $210,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

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Derma Sotogake

Before Japan's Forever Young (JPN) raced successfully in the Middle East before racing in this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Derma Sotogake (JPN) took that path a year earlier.

After winning three of six starts in Japan in 2022, Derma Sotogake ran third in the 2023 Saudi Derby Presented By Boutique Group (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and won the UAE Derby Sponsored By Atlantis The Royal (G2) in Dubai at Meydan Racecourse.

Then he took his talents to the United States, finishing sixth in the last year's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and after a six-month layoff, returned to finish second in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park, beaten a length by White Abarrio. Fourth early, he followed the winner's advance to take command but could not gain enough ground late to catch White Abarrio.

This year, Derma Sotogake also has competed on the international stage against much of the world's fastest dirt horses, running fifth in the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1) and sixth in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) at Meyda on March 30.

The 4-year-old chestnut was then given the rest of the first half of 2024 off in preparation for races later in the year, which could result in a return appearance at the World Championships, taking place this year at Del Mar. The Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic is a target for the Hiroyuki Asanuma-owned runner, who is trained by Hidetaka Otonashi.

Three years ago, when Del Mar last hosted the Breeders' Cup, the Japanese-trained Loves Only You (JPN) and Marche Lorraine (JPN) scored victories. Loves Only You won the Makers Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and Marche Lorraine the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Derma Sotogake is a 4-year-old son of Mind Your Biscuits, an American runner who ran second in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in 2016, third in the same race at a year later, and 11th in the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2018.

Derma Sotogake made his return to the races at Funabashi on Sept. 25 in the Nippon TV Hai Stakes (Listed) going 1 1/8 miles. He pressed the pace but weakened to finish fifth, 8 1/2 lengths behind the victorious William Barows (JPN).

OCTOBER 21 - The horses below are most likely shifting to other Breeders' Cup races. More to come...

Facteur Cheval

Victorious in late March in the Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1), Facteur Cheval (IRE) is under consideration for another top-level stakes target this fall, though on dirt in the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

A 5-year-old gelding owned by Gary Barber and Team Valor International, Facteur Cheval returned from his success in Dubai to run sixth in the June 18 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and third in the July 31 Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood. Those races, like the Dubai Turf, came on grass, though over a shorter distance of a mile.

In the Sussex, he was beaten just 1 3/4 lengths after a poor start, losing to Notable Speech (GB) and Maljoom (IRE).

Earlier in his career, Facteur Cheval won the 2022 Prix Perth (G3) at Saint-Cloud in France.

Bred in Ireland by McCracken Farms, Facteur Cheval has a grassy pedigree being by Ribchester (IRE) out of the Shamardal mare Jawlaat (IRE). But Team Valor founder and CEO Barry Irwin regards Facteur Cheval as having the size and look of an American dirt horse.

Team Valor has experienced success by shifting its top runners to dirt, notably with the Graham Motion-trained Animal Kingdom in the 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1) that was his initial start on dirt.

Though the 1 1/4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic would be the longest race of Facteur Cheval's career, he stayed 1 1/8 miles in the Dubai Turf over an international field.

Without the turn of foot necessary to take down top company on firm turf, Facteur Cheval prefers give in the ground when racing on turf. This grinding style could point to him being a horse that can handle dirt. A workout on dirt at Meydan prior to the Dubai Turf also encouraged trainer Jerome Reynier about his main-track ability.

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National Treasure

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert narrowly missed winning his first Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) last year when National Treasure, in his final start at 3, was beaten a nose by eventual Horse of the Year Cody's Wish.

If 2024 is a redemption tour, National Treasure is off to a bullish start with Grade 1 stakes victories in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational presented by Baccarat at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park and the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (aka Met Mile) June 8 at Saratoga. National Treasure was favored in both races.

In his only other 2024 start, National Treasure finished fourth beaten 1 3/4 lengths in the Saudi Cup (G1) at about 1 1/8 miles Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia. National Treasure was a front-running 6 ¼-length winner of the Metropolitan Handicap, moved to Saratoga because of construction at Belmont Park. National Treasure's winning time for a mile over a fast track,1:35.12, was just off the track record (1:34.72), set in 1992 by Key Contender.

The Metropolitan Handicap was National Treasure's third career Grade 1 victory. He also won the 2023 Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown. National Treasure, by top sire Quality Road, races for a high-profile ownership group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables.

National Treasure was purchased for $500,000 in 2021 at Fasig-Tipton New York's Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. National Treasure has bankrolled $5,372,000, which, through July 23, ranked 72nd in North American history, according to Equibase. Overall, National Treasure has a 4-2-2 record from 13 starts.

National Treasure was bred in Kentucky by Peter Blum. Blum also bred the Baffert-trained Authentic, who capped his 2020 Horse of the Year campaign with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Blum bred and raced National Treasure's dam, Treasure, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro.

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Senor Buscador

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

A precocious, stakes-winning juvenile whose 3-year-old campaign was derailed by setbacks, Senor Buscador has excelled as an older horse.

Now 6, Senor Buscador is enjoying his finest campaign while competing in some of the richest races around the world. In January, he was second, beaten a neck by National Treasure in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes presented by Baccarat (G1) at Gulfstream Park, with his customaryl late rally falling just short.

The following month, he traveled to the Middle East, where he rallied from far back to win $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), capitalizing on a fast pace and a long stretch at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh that suited his hard-charging style.

Under Junior Alvarado, Senor Buscador passed most of the field in the final 300 meters, defeating Japanese star Ushba Tesoro (JPN) by a head. With his rewarding victory in the 1 1/8-mile race, he avenged prior defeats to such high-class horses as White Abarrio, National Treasure, Derma Sotogake (JPN), and Hoist the Gold -- none of whom could keep pace with him late.

Trainer Todd Fincher then took him to Dubai to compete in the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) for Sharaf Mohammed S. Al Hariri and Joey Peacock. The son of Mineshaft would again run well, finishing third behind blowout winner Laurel River and just a neck behind Ushba Tesoro in second.

Following that March 30 race, Senor Buscador was given a break. He resumed breezing in late May at San Luis Rey Training Center in Southern California.

A start in this year's Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), taking place Nov. 2 at Del Mar, would mark his third outing at the World Championships. He was eighth in the 2022 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and seventh in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic.

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Dr. Venkman

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Dr. Venkman has options after a 1-length victory in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) July 27 at Del Mar, a 1 1/16-mile race that marked the two-turn debut for the lightly raced 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper. The San Diego marked the fifth career start for Dr. Venkman, who finished second in his 2024 debut, the $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes (G2) for older horses at 7 furlongs June 1 at Santa Anita.

Dr. Venkman closed 2023 with a second-place finish in the $250,000 Perryville Stakes (Listed) for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs on Oct. 21 at Keeneland. The Perryville, to date, is the only start outside California for Dr. Venkman, who is campaigned by trainer Mark Glatt and owners Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, Mark Cohen and James Hailey.

Dr. Venkman began his career with consecutive victories at the 2023 Del Mar summer meet. Dr. Venkman, a Kentucky bred, is named for actor Bill Murray's character in the 1984 hit movie, "Ghostbusters."

Ghostzapper capped his 2004 Horse of the Year campaign with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). He has three Breeders' Cup victories as a sire. Dr. Venkman is the second stakes winner for his dam, Theory of Change, a daughter of 2011 Arkansas Derby champion Archarcharch. Glatt, as an agent, purchased Dr. Venkman for $105,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the consignment of Hidden Brook Farm, which bred the gelding in partnership with Ghostzapper Syndicate.

Glatt is winless in eight Breeders' Cup starts, but he finished second in the 2021 Sprint (G1) with Dr. Schivel, third in the 2017 Mile (G1) with Blackjackcat and third in the 2020 Dirt Mile (G1) with Sharp Samurai.

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Dornoch

SEP 28 - Dornoch, a leading 3-year-old colt with impressive wins in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1), has been diagnosed with bone bruising, which will force him to miss his planned final start in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). As a result, Dornoch has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career at Spendthrift Farm next year.

Dornoch, owned by a group of partners that includes retired major league baseball all star and World Series champion Jayson Werth, hit it out of the park in early summer.

Rebounding from a couple off the-board finishes in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) this spring, the speedy and determined 3-year-old took the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Then a month and a half later, he added the July 20 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.

"I'll put this up there with anything I've ever done," Two Eight Racing's Werth said after the Belmont.

R. A. Hill Stable, West Paces Racing, Belmar Racing and Breeding and Pine Racing Stables co-own Dornoch with him.

Werth's involvement has increased media exposure to the sport and spotlighted the thrills of horse ownership.

Dornoch's speed and determination were on display in both races, with the colt gamely turning back the talented Mindframe after being passed by that rival in early stretch. He similarly won last fall's Remsen Stakes (G2) as a juvenile, beating Sierra Leone in a photo finish after that late-closing runner-up edged in front of him midway down the lane.

The victory in the Haskell was his third graded stakes win of the year, which began with him winning the March 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

The Haskell served as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), resulting in him receiving an expense-paid, automatic starting berth in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

His sire, Good Magic, won the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar in 2017 on his way to championship honors. Out of the stakes-winning Puca, Dornoch is a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage.

2024 BREEDERS' CUP RACE SCHEDULE