The 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships isn’t too far away, and things are getting heated. The hopes of seeing the rivalry between Sovereignty and Journalism culminate at Del Mar on November 1 make the horse racing fans wait eagerly. However, it looks like the 2025 Haskell Stakes winner has some serious competition, and it’s not just the Bill Mott trainee!

The legendary racehorse trainer Bob Baffert rightfully calls the Breeders’ Cup “…like an All-Star game.” From his words, it’s easy to comprehend how the event is one of the most important ones in the sport. With Sovereignty winning two jewels of the Triple Crown this year, the colt is easily among the favorites to win in California in November. But the 13-horse field has some big names, and the bettors believe that the son of Into Mischief will have his work cut out for him.

On September 21, the official NYRA (New York Thoroughbred Racing Association) took to X to test the waters before the upcoming rumble. “If the @BreedersCup Classic was today, who are you picking from this list?” ponders the social media post, and the community didn’t take long to share who they will be placing their money on.

Unsurprisingly, Sovereignty seemed to evoke a lot of faith among the connoisseurs, who posited that the 2025 Kentucky Derby winner will trounce all foes to claim the Breeders’ Cup Classic title this year. However, Sierra Leone, the race winner from last year, also had many fans rallying behind him. The reason? Heading into the Classic in 2024, the Chad Brown-trained horse won both the Derby and the Belmont Stakes, just like Sovereignty will enter the November race this year. Naturally, the parallels aren’t hard to fathom.

However, the Equibase Figures would make it hard to differentiate between these racing Behemoths. In 2024, Sierra Leone earned a 109 Equibase Speed Figure in the Kentucky Derby, even though he didn’t win, while in 2025, Sovereignty won the Derby and earned a 103 Equibase Speed Figure. The gulf in quality remains distinct.

Naturally, separating the two by a large margin before the Breeders’ Cup is difficult, and the fans are equally divided. “It’s either going to be Sovereignty or Sierra Leone,” one fan seemed to have their feet on both boats. Many others tried to follow suit, while others had their own takes.

Fans and bettors pick their Breeders’ Cup winners

Sovereignty has dominated the prediction charts for quite some time. Given how Mott’s poster boy won the Jim Dandy Stakes (Grade 2) and the Travers Stakes (Grade 1) in the months after the Triple Crown, it’s not difficult to understand why many bettors and fans are delighted to put all their eggs in Sovereignty’s basket. But then again, the field is staked, and it’s not possible to suspect that Sovereignty might have to work extra hard to win in Del Mar.

“Sierra don’t make me lose my money. Letsgoooo!” yet another fan seemed to pledge their allegiance to Camp Brown, wholeheartedly believing that Mott & Co. won’t find themselves at the winners’ circle come November. Another bettor seemed even more desperate to see Sierra Leone win at the Breeders’ Cup Classic this year. “Betting my life’s savings on Sierra Leone. If the horse loses, my wife and kid are sleeping in the streets,” announced the fan, and we hope, for the sake of their family, that this fan’s prediction comes true!

Along with these two aforementioned horse racing giants, Journalism, the 2025 Preakness Stakes winner, will also enter the Breeders’ Cup Classic with all guns blazing. It goes without saying that ignoring his chances to win would only be foolish. “I know it’s risky but betting my money on Journalism,” one fan isn’t up for letting slide the opportunity to make a pretty penny by betting on Journalism.

Baeza, the Pennsylvania Derby (Grade 1) winner, Antiquarian, the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (Grade 1) winner, and Fierceness, the Pacific Classic (Grade 1) winner, will make things more contentious at the Breeders’ Cup. They all have loyal fans who vehemently proclaim their victories in Del Mar. But another sprinter seems to stay under the radar for most. “Mindframe without an question,” one fan took it upon themselves to remind others that the 2024 Haskell Stakes second-place finisher will make sure to keep up with the likes of Sovereignty and Baeza.

Who is your pick for the Breeders’ Cup Classic? Tell us!