The year 2025 has certainly been a blockbuster one in the world of horse racing. Britain’s Cheltenham Festival garnered headlines for all the wrong reasons – if you’re a punter, anyway – as the vast majority of well-backed favorites were all beaten. On the other side of the Atlantic, the American Triple Crown was a thrilling ride, with the two best three-year-olds on American soil going head to head.
However, as the clock ticks into the latter half of the year, all eyes begin to turn toward the most lucrative race in American racing: the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The storied showdown has been in the news recently following the announcement that the 2026 installment of the race will take place at Keeneland Park, before heading to Belmont the following year. This November, however, all eyes will be on Del Mar as four superstars of the track take center stage, each with dramatic narratives and profound ambitions.
So, which of them has the talent, temperament, and tenacity to capture this coveted crown? Let’s take a look.
Sovereignty
Dominant. Unyielding. Sovereignty has surged to the pinnacle of his generation, conquering both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 2025. Trained by Hall of Fame maestro Bill Mott, and with Junior Alvarado up in the saddle, his late-closing heroics have been a masterclass in perfectly measured aggression and stamina: a potent blend for the Classic’s mile-and-a-quarter crucible.
As such, it should come as no surprise to hear that the winner of two-thirds of the Triple Crown is the online betting sites’ pick to close the year with a bang. Websites offering online betting in Canada make Sovereignty the short-priced +350 favorite to win the Classic, and it’s clear to see why. Simply consider the evidence.
The Derby, run over a rain-soaked Churchill Downs surface, demanded nerve and navigation—Sovereignty had both in abundance, outgunning the heavily favored Journalism in the final strait to seize his moment. When Mott made the tactical gamble to skip the Preakness, critics circled, but Sovereignty silenced them with a conclusive, three-length assertion over Journalism again in the Belmont. The time? A blistering 2:00.69 for the 1¼ miles.
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What elevates Sovereignty is his adaptability. He stalks, pounces, and closes with the calculated menace of a champion not yet at his apex. Backed by multiple G1 wins, multiple million in earnings, and the highest speed figures of his cohort, he stands as the benchmark. On form and pedigree, he stares down the Classic as both favorite and target.
Journalism
Is Journalism the most battle-tested horse in training? The numbers certainly suggest so. Trained by Mike McCarthy, the son of Curlin brings a resume alive with grit and consistency. Second to Sovereignty in the Derby, he bounced back with a warrior’s resolve to seize the Preakness in Baltimore, showing lightning-quick adaptation and refusal to yield.
His subsequent encounter with Sovereignty— a narrow loss in a valiant effort in the Belmont—would have broken lesser horses. Not Journalism. His tactical speed allows him to claim a prominent spot or track the leaders, and his form figures are a testament to relentless pursuit rather than raw flash. Think about it: no major race has found him wanting for determination.
Critically, Journalism thrives when the stakes are highest, his constitution forged in the fires of fierce competition. At 1¼ miles, his ideal distance beckons—he’s never out of a fight and may just deliver his riposte in the shadow of Del Mar’s iconic palm trees. Should Sovereignty falter, few are as poised or deserving.
Fierceness
If drama fuels racing, then Fierceness is its perfect protagonist. The 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion and last year’s Classic runner-up has experienced a rollercoaster 2025: flashes of the sublime punctuated by sobering setbacks. His raw speed—once harnessed—can be overwhelming.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Fierceness returned from a winter of discontent with a rampaging second in the Jim Dandy, reminding the world of his two-year-old brilliance. His runner-up Classic finish and previous G1 victories confirm he belongs at the peak of the sport, yet there’s persistent intrigue around his temperament and flashpoint form.
What’s the analysis? If Fierceness puts it all together, few can match his sustained speed—there’s historical precedent for horses peaking at just the right moment. The Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar may be the very stage for a redemptive, headline-grabbing charge that reignites his championship flame. Ignore him at your peril.
Forever Young
International in scope, indomitable in spirit, Forever Young brings a breathtaking resume of globe-trotting supremacy to Del Mar. Currently ranked the world’s premier dirt horse, having conquered prestigious contests such as the Saudi Cup, Saudi Derby, UAE Derby, and Japan Dirt Classic. His third in last year’s Classic was no mere cameo; it was an emphatic audition for an encore.
What sets Forever Young apart is his unrivaled adaptability. He’s faced and beaten the world’s elite on different continents and surfaces, showing tactical intelligence and unflappable composure. His 2025 Saudi Cup win—routing older horses by open lengths—reinforced his legacy as a formidable danger to local favorites.
In a Breeders’ Cup Classic that loves a curveball, could Forever Young spring an upset? The data says the possibility is very real. His versatility, stamina, and proven record against the best mean he remains the lurking giant of the field, ready to ambush at a moment’s notice.
