Breeders' Cup Classic 2025: Win, place and trifecta picks from horse racing guru

North America's richest horse race takes place on Saturday when the starting gate opens in the $7 million 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner Sovereignty was originally made the 6-5 morning-line favorite for the race, but he spiked a temperature on Monday and was eventually scratched. Pacific Classic winner Fierceness has inherited the role of the favorite, listed at 5-2 in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic odds. Defending champion Sierra Leone (7-2), Saudi Cup hero Forever Young (7-2), Preakness Stakes champ Journalism (5-1) and two-time Grade 1 winner Mindframe (6-1) round out the top five favorites among the nine horses in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic field. Post time for the Breeders' Cup Classic 2025 is 6:25 p.m. ET.

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Before locking in any 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic bets, you NEED to see what longtime horse racing guru Jeff Hochman has to say.

Hochman has shown a profit in 22 of the past 39 Triple Crown races. One example of his best picks was Big Brown in the 2008 Kentucky Derby at odds of 2-1. More recently, he swept the 2022 Triple Crown, capped off by Mo Donegal's easy win in the Belmont Stakes. In 2023, he cashed the Preakness with National Treasure. In 2024, he successfully tabbed Straight No Chaser to win, place and show in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at odds of 3-2.

Hochman delivered exceptional handicapping results during the summer 2025 racing season at two of the country's premier tracks, Saratoga and Del Mar. His combined 65.7% win rate across the two tracks represents elite-level performance that significantly exceeds industry benchmarks for professional handicappers. Join here to see what he's picking for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic.

While a slew of horses could hit the board in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic, Hochman has studied the field and revealed his picks. 

One surprise: Hochman is high on Journalism, even though he is not one of the top three favorites! "Journalism is one of only six horses in history to win one Triple Crown race and finish second in the other two, demonstrating remarkable consistency against the best 3-year-olds," he says. Hochman is including Journalism in his wagers.

However, Hochman's top pick is a horse who is "truly elite." He's also high on a double-digit longshot who "enters on an upward trajectory" and is a "dangerous outsider!" 

You ABSOLUTELY NEED to see which horses they are before making any 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic picks of your own.

So which horse wins the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic? Which double-digit longshot is a must-back? And how has Hochman constructed his wagers? ... Join SportsLine now to get Jeff Hochman's Breeders' Cup Classic picks, all from the expert who was red-hot at Saratoga and Del Mar this summer!

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