The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the holy grail of competition for Thoroughbred racehorses, will occur October 31st November 1st this year at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California. While I won’t be there in person, I’m excited to watch the many contenders who raced this summer at Saratoga Race Course, my hometown race track, as well as Keeneland and Churchill Downs, which I visited earlier this year. In this post, I’ll share some photos of many of those contenders and what race they will run in. I shot many of these images for The Saratoga Special. Click here to read my other Breeders’ Cup posts.
Cy Fair is a contender in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. The George Weaver trainee broke her maiden then finished second in the Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga this summer. Most recently, she won the Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine.
Intricate Spirit is a contender in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Miguel Clément trainee broke his maiden at Saratoga this summer. Most recently, he won the Grade III Futurity Stakes at Belmont at the Big A, earning him an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Obliteration is a contender in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Steve Asmussen won the Grade III Sanford Stakes on the dirt then finished second in the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes, both at the Spa this summer, before switching to turf in subsequent races.
Royal Testament is a contender in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. The George Weaver trainee did not race at Saratoga, but she finished second in the Grade III Matron Stakes at Belmont at the Big A this fall.
Bobrovsky is an also eligible in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Dale Romans trainee broke his maiden and then won the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Time to Dream is a contender in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. The Todd Pletcher trainee broke her maiden then won the P.G. Johnson Stakes at the Spa this summer.
Bottas is a contender in the Juvenile Turf. The Miguel Clément trainee broke his maiden at Saratoga this summer, then won the Grade I Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont at the Big A this fall, earning him an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Heeere’s Johnny is a contender in the Juvenile Turf. The Ray Handal trainee is still a maiden, but finished second in a pair of races at Saratoga this summer.
Iron Orchard is a contender in the Juvenile Fillies. The Danny Gargan trainee broke her maiden then won the Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga this summer. Her most impressive win, though, was the Grade I Frizette Stakes at Belmont at the Big A this fall. Although not a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, it is nonetheless an important prep race for two-year-old fillies.
Percy’s Bar is a contender in the Juvenile Fillies. The Ben Colebrook trainee finished second in the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Tommy Jo is a contender in the Juvenile Fillies. The Todd Pletcher broke her maiden then won the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga this summer before also taking the Grade I Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland, earning her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Comport (outside) is a contender in the Juvenile. The Eddie Kenneally trainee did not race at Saratoga, but I photographed him at Churchill Downs in April.
Ted Noffey is a contender in the Juvenile. The Todd Pletcher trainee broke his maiden then won the Grade I Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga this summer before taking the Grade I Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, earning him in automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Chancer McPatrick is a contender in the Dirt Mile. The Chad Brown trainee ran three times at Saratoga this year, winning the Curlin Stakes in July.
Citizen Bull is a contender in the Dirt Mile. The Bob Baffert trainee finished fourth in the Grade I Woody Stephens Stakes at Saratoga in June.
Dry Powder is a contender in the Dirt Mile and the Distaff. The Chad Summers trainee was third in the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga this summer, the only time in her six careers starts that she finished worse than second.
Mystik Dan is a contender in the Dirt Mile. The Kenny McPeek trainee didn’t race at Saratoga this year, but he trained here in between his two wins, the Grade III Blame Stakes and the Grade II Lukas Classic Stakes, both at Churchill Downs.
White Abarrio is a contender in the Dirt Mile. The Saffie Joseph trainee, who won the Classic in 2023 for trainer Rick Dutrow, finished fourth in three straight Grade 1s at Saratoga this year: the Met Mile, the Whitney, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Ag Bullet is a contender in the Turf Sprint. The Richard Baltas trainee won the Grade I Jaipur Stakes at the Spa in June, earning her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Bring Theband Home is a contender in the Turf Sprint. The Mark Casse trainee won the Harvey Pack Stakes and the Grade III Troy Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Governor Sam is a contender in the Turf Sprint. The George Weaver trainee won the Grade III Quick Call Stakes then finished second in the Grade III Mahony Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Shisospicy is a contender in the Turf Sprint. The José D’Angelo trainee didn’t race at Saratoga, but she did train here this summer.
Yellow Card is an also eligible in the Turf Sprint. The Michael McCarthy trainee hasn’t raced at Saratoga since finishing sixth in the Mahony Stakes last year.
Nobals is an also eligible in the Turf Sprint, a race he won in 2023. The Larry Rivelli trainee hasn’t raced at Saratoga since finishing fourth in an allowance optional last year.
No Nay Hudson is an also eligible in the Turf Sprint. The Wesley Ward trainee hasn’t raced at Saratoga since finishing fifth in an allowance optional last year. He is pictured here after winning an allowance race at Keeneland in April.
Hope Road is a contender in the Filly & Mare Sprint. The Bob Baffert trainee won the Grade I Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga this summer, earning her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Majestic Oops is a contender in the Filly & Mare Sprint and the Distaff. The Dan Ward trainee finished third in the Ballerina this summer.
Praying is a contender in the Filly & Mare Sprint. The Robbie Medina trainee won the Grade III Prioress Stakes at Saratoga before taking the Grade II Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland, earning her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Race.
Vahva is a contender in the Filly & Mare Sprint. The Cherie DeVaux trainee hasn’t raced at Saratoga since finishing third in the Ballerina last year.
Zeitlos is a contender in the Filly & Mare Sprint. The Steve Asmussen trainee finished second in the Grade III Caress Stakes on the turf at the Spa this summer.
Be Your Best is a contender in the Filly & Mare Turf. The Saffie Joseph trainee finished third in the Grade II Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Bellezza is a contender in the Filly & Mare Turf. The Miguel Clément trainee won the Grade II Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga this summer, earning her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Gimme A Nother is a contender in the Filly & Mare Turf. The Graham Motion trainee finished seventh in the Grade I New York Stakes at Saratoga in June.
She Feels Pretty is a contender in the Filly & Mare Turf. The Cherie DeVaux trainee won the New York in June and finished second in the Grade I Diana Stakes here in July.
Mission of Joy is a contender in the Filly & Mare Turf. The Phil D’Amato trainee hasn’t raced at Saratoga since finishing sixth in the Grade I Diana Stakes last year for trainer Graham Motion.
Stellify is a contender in the Filly & Mare Turf. The Brad Cox trainee did not race at Saratoga, but she did train her this summer.
Johannes is a contender in the Mile. The Tim Yakteen trainee finished an uncharacteristic ninth in the Grade I Fourstardave Stakes this summer at Saratoga.
Program Trading is a contender in the Mile. The Chad Brown trainee finished second in the Bernard Baruch Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Rhetorical is a contender in the Mile. The Will Walden trainee won a pair of races at Saratoga this summer before taking the Grade I Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland, giving his conditioner his first top-level victory and earning the horse an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Bentornato is a contender in the Sprint, a race he finished second in last year. The José D’Angelo trainee did not race at Saratoga, but he trained here leading up to his victory in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Imagination is a contender in the Sprint. The Bob Baffert trainee hasn’t raced at Saratoga since finishing seventh in the Grade I Woody Stephens Stakes last year.
Mullikin is a contender in the Sprint. The Rodolphe Brisset trainee ran in a trio of graded stakes at Saratoga this year, but hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since taking the Grade I Forego Stakes here last year.
Nakatomi is a contender in the Sprint. The Wesley Ward trainee ran in a pair of graded stakes at Saratoga this year before winning the Grade II Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland, earning him an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Dorth Vader is a contender in the Distaff. The George Weaver trainee won the Grade I Ogden Phipps Stakes at Saratoga in June before ending up on the wrong side of a photo finish with reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes in August.
Gin Gin is a contender in the Distaff. The Brendan Walsh trainee did not race at Saratoga, but she trained here leading up to her victory in the Grade I Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, earning her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Gun Song is a contender in the Distaff. The Mark Hennig trainee finished fourth in the Grade II Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga this year.
Nitrogen is a contender in the Distaff. The Mark Casse trainee won an off-the-turf Grade III Wonder Again Stakes at Saratoga in June, then finished a close second in the Grade I Belmont Oaks in July, and finally, took the Grade I Alabama Stakes in August.
Scottish Lassie is a contender in the Distaff. The Jorge Abreu trainee finished third in the Grade I Acorn Stakes at Saratoga in June, then won the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks in July.
Scylla is a contender in the Distaff. The Bill Mott trainee hit the board in a trio of graded stakes at the Spa this year, but failed to win any.
El Cordobes is a contender in the Turf. The Charlie Appleby trainee won the Grade I Sword Dancer Stakes at the Spa this summer, earning him an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Hill Road is a contender in the Turf. The Chad Brown trainee ran in the Grade I Belmont Stakes and the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes on the dirt at Saratoga this year before switching to turf in subsequent starts.
Rebel Red is a contender in the Turf. The Cherie DeVaux trainee finished a close second in the Grade I Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Rebel’s Romance is a contender in the Turf, a race he won in 2022 and 2024. The Charlie Appleby trainee hasn’t raced at Saratoga since unseating his rider during the running of the Grade II Bowling Green Stakes in 2023.
Redistricting is a contender in the Turf. The Chad Brown trainee didn’t race at Saratoga, but he did train her this summer.
Tawny Port is a contender in the Turf. The Miguel Clément trainee finished seventh in an off-the-turf Grade III Belmont Gold Cup at Saratoga in June.
Antiquarian is a contender in the Classic. The Todd Pletcher trainee finished second in the Grade II Suburban Stakes and won the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga this summer.
Baeza is a contender in the Classic. The John Shirreffs trainee hit the board in the Belmont and the Jim Dandy at Saratoga this summer.
Contrary Thinking is a contender in the Classic. The Chad Brown trainee, who is being entered as a pacesetter for stablemate Sierra Leone, finished off the board in two Grade 1s this summer at Saratoga.
Fierceness is a contender in the Classic. The Todd Pletcher trainee ran in the Grade I Met Mile and the Grade I Whitney Stakes at Saratoga this year before winning the Grade I Pacific Classic Stakes, earning him an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Journalism is a contender in the Classic. The Michael McCarthy trainee finished second in the Belmont in June before winning the Grade I Haskell Stakes at Monmouth, earning him an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup race.
Mindframe is a contender in the Classic. The Todd Pletcher trainee ran in the Jockey Club Gold Cup this summer, but he unseated his rider and did not finish the race.
Sierra Leone is a contender in the Classic, which he won last year. The Chad Brown trainee won the Whitney and finished second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup this summer.
Sovereignty, who by this point needs no introduction, is a contender in the Classic. The Bill Mott trainee, among his five graded wins this year, took the Belmont, the Jim Dandy, and the Travers at Saratoga.
Who do you like in the Breeders’ Cup this year?
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
Liked this post? Subscribe by email below to receive future posts!
One thought on “From Saratoga (and Beyond) to the Breeders’ Cup 2025”
Comments are closed.
Great photos and commentary!