Leading Contenders for Breeder's Cup 2020

The 37th Breeders’ Cup World Championships is finally on its way. The anticipated race includes fourteen Championship races and eight undercard races.  It will take place at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

The thoroughbred race will begin on November 6. It will feature the Breeders’ Cup World Championships races for 2-year-olds. Then, followed by undercard races. On November 7 is the awaited 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is open to fourteen starters. Winners of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge races are automatic qualifiers. Others can qualify based on their rankings and performances in graded stakes races.

Here are the current leading contenders for the Breeders’ Cup.

Improbable

Improbable is one of the top-ranked horses of 2020. This colt qualified for the Breeders’ Cup after winning three straight Grade 1 races.

He started his 2020 season at the Oaklawn Mile Stakes and placed second after Tom’s d’Etat. He regained the lead at Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes on June 6. Improbable won by 3 1/4 lengths over Higher Power.

Two months after, Improbable handled and broke well in the Grade I Whitney Stakes. He went off and won against Mr. Buff, By My Standards, and Tom’s d’Etat.

He also won the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes last September. Improbable started being the last and circled the field to take the lead. He gained a victory by ​4 1⁄2 lengths in a final time of 1:49.01.

Trainer Bob Baffert is confident that Improbable will take the lead at the 2020 Breeders’ Cup. They are hopeful that the colt will continue to improve until November.

Tiz the Law

There’s no double that Tiz the Law qualified for the Breeders’ Cup. He remained to be the top colt this year after winning the Belmont and Travers Stakes.

Tiz the Law swept to victory in the Triple this year at the Belmont Stakes. He won 3 ¾ lengths, with the reduced distance of 9 furlongs in the time of 1:46.53. He also gave a mind-blowing performance at the Travers Stakes. He covered the mile-and-a-quarter distance in two minutes and 95-hundredths of a second.

Sackatoga Stables announced that the colt is skipping the Preakness Stakes. The decision will give the colt enough time to prepare and dominate the Breeders’ Cup.

Maximum Security

Maximum Security qualified for the Breeders’ Cup after winning the Pacific Classic Stakes. He also won the Saudi Cup and San Diego Handicap.

He began his 2020 season in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Cup last February. He trailed the pace of his opponents during the start. He may have difficulty in surpassing them but succeeded in leading in the final yards. His next race was at the San Diego Handicap in July. It was also a challenging race, but he was able to defeat his formidable opponents.

His next race was at the Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack. He started at a moderate pace for the first quarter-mile. Then, he took the lead for the next half mile. His opponents failed to match his speed throughout the race. After winning by ​1 1⁄2 lengths, he immediately qualified for the Breeders’ Cup.

It’s evident that this colt starts at a slow pace, but regains the speed to overshadow his adversaries. We are sure that he will carry the same tactic to the Breeders’ Cup.

By My Standards

By My Standards continues his elite status after three consecutive victories. He won the Oaklawn Handicap, New Orleans Classic Stakes, and Fair Grounds. He qualified for the Breeders’ Cup after winning the Alysheba Stakes.

By My Standards earned his first career victory at Fair Grounds last February. He made a robust finish and won by four ¼ lengths. He pursued with another dominant win at the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes by March. His third win was in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap May 2 at Oaklawn.

His next race was at the Stephen Foster Stakes and Whitney Stakes. He finished second place for both races. He returned to the winner’s circle when he won the Alysheba Stakes.

By My Standards’ constant supremacy at the top spot will play to his advantage. He is one of the leading experts picks this season. You can view more TVG picks and know who to watch out during the 2020 Breeders’ Cup.

Tom’s d’Etat

Tom’s d’Etat qualified for the Breeders’ Cup after winning the Stephen Foster Handicap.

Tom’s d’Etat had disappointing races in the past two years. But, he was able to set an outstanding career start this year. He won the Oaklawn Mile Stakes by three-quarters of a length in April. He followed it with a powerhouse feat and dominant victory in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes.

He succeeded with two more race wins before his winning streak halted in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes. He only rallied for third. Despite this, Tom’s d’Etat still has the potential to conquer the Breeders’ Cup.

Takeaway

These thoroughbreds overpowered their opponents in different racetracks. They deserved their top spot for the Breeders’ Cup. Watch this year’s Breeders’ Cup at NBC and nbcsports.com/live.