Who Has Qualified for the Breeders' Cup® Classic So Far?

By Evan Chronis | August 02, 2018

With the Breeders' Cup® 2018 quickly approaching in November, the Breeders' Cup® Challenge series is heating up! The series consists of races from around the world and presents the unique opportunity for a horse to punch its ticket to the Breeders' Cup World Championships® with an automatic and free entry. So far, three horses have earned their place in the Breeders' Cup® Classic, with four spots still up for grabs before we head to Churchill Downs® in November. Let's take a look at the path so far and where we currently stand!

Who's qualified so far: Nonkono Yume & Pavel

Good Magic

Before Justify was crowned the darling of the thoroughbred horse racing world after becoming the 13th steed to complete the Triple Crown™, it was Good Magic who was predicted to be the leading 3-year old going into the 2018 Kentucky Derby®. However, fate held different cards and it was Justify who usurped Good Magic in both success and notoriety. 

But with Justify now officially retired after the treble triumph, the door is open for Good Magic to take back command of his age group — and he took the first steps to that at the Haskell Invitational. The Kentucky Derby® runner up secured his spot in the 2018 Breeders' Cup® with a three-lengths victory in the 51st running of the Haskell Invitational on July 29. 

Good Magic looked fully rejuvenated at Monmouth Park after getting a much needed break period following the running of the Preakness Stakes in May. With this victory, Jockey Jose Ortiz sees his horse as a front runner for November's race. 

 

Remaining Road to the 2018 Breeders' Cup®!

 There are still five spots left for the Breeders' Cup® Classic by way of the Challenge Series. Here are the remaining fixtures:

  • Whitney Stakes -- August 4 at Saratoga
  • TVG Pacific Classic -- August 18 at Del Mar
  • Awesome Again Stakes -- September 29 at Santa Anita Park
  • Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes -- October 7 at Belmont Park
breeders-churchill-downs-1

Derby-Experiences-Racing-040-2

Secure your Spot at the Breeders' Cup® 2018

You don't need to win a race to find yourself at the 2018 Breeders' Cup®! Breeders’ Cup Experiences is the Official Package Provider for the Breeders' Cup World Championships®, offering a variety of Official Ticket Packages with different seating options located around the track at Churchill Downs®! So while these horses are vying for their tickets to punch, you can gets yours today!

Take Me to the Breeders' Cup