The most potentially lucrative two days of horse racing wagering are this weekend in Lexington, Kentucky, when the 37th annual Breeders’ Cup Championships are run at Keeneland race course.
The loaded fields in the event feature the winners of all three of this year’s Triple Crown races, as well as two past Kentucky Oaks winners and five Breeders’ Cup (BC) champions.
Breeders’ Cup schedule and where to watch
The event opens Friday with Future Stars Friday, with five races on the day’s overall race card. Each race welcomes the world’s top 2-year-old runners, highlighted by race 10 — the Juvenile — at 5:10 p.m. That race is often known as the potential Kentucky Derby preview, as many of its entrants are assumed to be on the 2021 Derby trail.
Friday’s BC action begins at 2:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). Saturday kicks off at noon on NBCSN and switches to NBC after 3 p.m.
Spectators are not allowed this weekend at Keeneland, considered the most beautiful horse-racing venue in the United States. The weather over the two days is expected to be good: dry and with temperatures in the 60s.
How to bet the Breeders’ Cup races online in Pennsylvania
Whether you are a seasoned horse bettor or new to the races, getting in on the horse betting action has never been easier. If you live in Pennsylvania, simply download the TVG app (PABets) to your iOS or Android mobile device or access the TVG website on your computer.
Right now, TVG is offering a 50% bonus of up to $250 on your first deposit. You can sign up with our exclusive LSRTVG promo code and deposit $500 to get the maximum bonus of $250.
Also, look out for various Breeders’ Cup promos surrounding specific races that may include:
- Money-back specials: You can get cash back on a horse you bet to win if it finishes second or third
- Exacta and pick four insurance: You can get money back for getting close
- Win bonuses: Winning bets get a profit boost
- Free play contests: Allow you to bet on certain races for free with no risk
Saturday highlight: The Classic packs a punch
Saturday offers nine BC races on the day’s overall card, beginning with race 4 at 12:02 p.m. The climax is race 12, the Classic, which has an anticipated field that includes two of this year’s Triple Crown race winners: Tiz the Law (Belmont) and Authentic (Kentucky Derby).
Also in the mix is Maximum Security, the horse that first crossed the finish line in the 2019 Kentucky Derby before being disqualified about 20 minutes later because of a racing infraction in a highly controversial decision.
The favorite in this year’s Classic is Improbable, who is ranked No. 1 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s latest poll. He, Authentic and Maximum Security are esteemed trainer Bob Baffert’s entries in this $6 million race that includes 10 entries.
Race 12: Breeders’ Cup Classic favorites
History says to not expect a big long shot to win here in this 10-furlong battle of 10 horses. Seven straight Classic winners have gone off at 6/1 or less with an average win payoff of $8.34 since 2013.
Improbable (5/2 ML favorite), with impressive victories over top horses such as Maximum Security, By My Standards, Tom’s d’Etat and Higher Power in three consecutive Grade 1 scores, is the Morning Line favorite.
Former super-horse Tiz The Law (3/1), who failed as a prohibitive favorite in the Kentucky Derby, bypassed the Preakness and will be fresh on Saturday. His only losses were at Churchill Downs, so lining up at Keeneland could help him return to top form.
Maximum Security (7/2) is a clear contender. He’ll look to go out to the lead and see how far that carries him.
Potential value plays on Saturday
For a price, look to Tom’s d’Etat (6/1), who has been sharp all year. He has wins over Improbable and By My Standards, and his recent loss Aug. 1 in the Whitney at Saratoga was due to a stumble out of the gate.
Authentic (6/1) is another front-runner who won the Kentucky Derby and had a very tough race last month when battling down the stretch with the eventual winner, the filly Swiss Skydiver, in the Preakness.
By My Standards (10/1) regains his favorite jockey Gabriel Saez and will attract interest. But this horse’s four Grade 2 wins have come against lesser fields.
Lightly raced Global Campaign (20/1) stands a chance to improve. If he does, he would bring a high payout.
2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic morning line odds
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taiba | M. Smith | 8-1 |
| 2 | Life Is Good | I. Ortiz Jr. | 6-1 |
| 3 | Happy Saver | J. Velazquez | 30-1 |
| 4 | Flightline | F. Prat | 3-5 |
| 5 | Hot Rod Charlie | T. Gaffalione | 15-1 |
| 6 | Epicenter | J. Rosario | 5-1 |
| 7 | Olympiad | J. Alvarado | 10-1 |
| 8 | Rich Strike | S. Leon | 20-1 |
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Ed Reinke
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