Breeders’ Cup 2017 Longshot Selections

The Breeders’ Cup meeting is as exciting as horse racing meets get, always posting big-price winners across the two days, so don’t be put off if you look for something at the bottom end of the betting for any of the World Championship races.

Here’s a look at the best longshot selections that may cause a surprise at Del Mar.

Seventh Heaven – Breeders’ Cup Turf

It’s been an incredible season so far for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who recently chalked up his 25th Group/Grade One winner worldwide in 2017. The Ballydoyle trainer has picked up a lot of success at the Breeders’ Cup over the last couple of decades and could have more joy this year. Seventh Heaven looks a little underpriced in the betting for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, where she is available at +2000. It’s been a consistent season so far for the 4-year-old filly, as she was second behind Jack Hobbs in the Dubai Sheema Classic at the World Cup meeting at Meydan back in April, while more recently, she won the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

On her most recent outing in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, she was way below her best and finished down the back of the field. However, if you forgive that run, it’s been a good year, one that can end on a positive at Del Mar. One of the leading horse racing previews for the Breeders’ Cup Turf will rightfully build up the chances of Ulysses and Highland Reel, but O’Brien’s filly is much bigger in the betting than her rivals and is worth taking a chance.

Queen’s Trust – Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Whenever legendary British trainer Sir Michael Stoute sends a horse over to the Breeders’ Cup meeting, you have to take note. He won this contest last year with Queen’s Trust, and the filly is returning once again to defend her crown and is +1000 to do so.

Queen’s Trust is a consistent filly who has run in a number of Group 1 races in Europe this season. She will be patiently ridden and could pick off the front runners just like she did in 2016 at Santa Anita  The clear dangers to Queen’s Trust’s chances are Lady Eli and Rhododendron, both of which are now very short in the betting.

West Coast – Breeders’ Cup Classic

Many pundits expect the Breeders’ Cup Classic to be a match-off between Gun Runner and last year’s winner, Arrogate, who shocked California Chrome in 2016. West Coast, who is +600 in the market for this race, is more than capable of spoiling the party. The 3-year-old has won his last two races by a combined distance of 10 lengths, one of which was the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. His trainer, Bob Baffert, knows all about training Breeders’ Cup winners, so it would be no surprise if this horse upsets the top two in the betting and becomes the latest star in American racing.

Good luck with all your Breeders’ Cup bets for 2017!