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The Breeders’ Cup is considered the highlight of the horse racing calendar, attracts worldwide attention and presents the best equestrian athletes in the world.

Known for its prestigious races and high prize money, the Breeders’ Cup is the ultimate goal for many in the horse racing community. However, the road to this great event is paved with numerous crucial preparatory races that help shape the field and identify the top contenders.

These prep races highlight the talent of potential champions and offer fans and bettors insight into the horses that could shine on the big day.

Bing Crosby inserts

The Bing Crosby Stakes will take place on Saturday, July 27, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. Fans can tune in to FanDuel TV to watch the action live. This race is a major West Coast event and offers a coveted “win and you’re in” starting spot for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Its importance has grown since the early 1990s and has become a major fixture on the road to the Breeders’ Cup.

The Bing Crosby Stakes has produced several notable winners who have gone on to win the Breeders’ Cup. Horses such as Thirty Slews, Lit de Justice and Kona Gold have all won the Bing Crosby Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in the same calendar year.

Another outstanding horse, Roy H, finished second in the Bing Crosby in 2017 and 2018 but later won back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Sprints and earned Eclipse Awards. Among these champions is Kona Gold, who won the Bing Crosby repeatedly and secured the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2000. Trained by Bruce Headley, Kona Gold had an outstanding career with 14 wins from 30 starts and earned nearly $2.3 million.

Jim Dandy Missions

The Jim Dandy Stakes presented by Mohegan Sun is held at the historic Saratoga Race Course and serves as a prep race for the prestigious DraftKings Travers Stakes on August 24. This race for three-year-olds is a crucial event at Saratoga and sets the stage for horses aiming for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Although no Jim Dandy winner has ever won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year, several have finished second, showing the importance of the race as an indicator of form. Notable horses such as Louis Quatorze, Medaglia d’Oro, Flower Alley and Bernardini have all come close, making the Jim Dandy Stakes a crucial milestone.

The race often reveals potential stars and offers insight into which horses might do well in the Breeders’ Cup Classic later in the season.

San Diego Handicap

The San Diego Handicap has grown in importance over the years as an important prep race for West Coast sand horses on the Breeders’ Cup course. The race serves as an indicator of early-season form and potential and offers insight into the abilities of the horses competing.

Skywalker, the 1986 winner, later pulled off a surprise win in the third Breeders’ Cup Classic. Recent crossover successes include Dakota Phone’s victory in the 2010 San Diego Handicap, followed by a surprise win in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at 37.70-1.

In 2017, Accelerate showed his potential with a win in the San Diego Handicap. He finally reached his peak the following year, winning the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. These performances underscore the role of the San Diego Handicap in identifying future Breeders’ Cup winners.

Amsterdam Stakes

Held at Saratoga, the Amsterdam Stakes is a sprint race for three-year-olds that often sends the winners to success in the Breeders’ Cup. The race is held on Friday and has occasionally sent its winners to success in the Breeders’ Cup. Caleb’s Posse, for example, won the Amsterdam Stakes in 2011 and later triumphed in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

This race is an early indicator of sprinting talent and potential and provides a platform for young horses to showcase their abilities. The influence of the Amsterdam Stakes on the Breeders’ Cup Sprint is significant, with horses such as Elite Power, Speightstown and Orientate winning both the Amsterdam and Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2002, 2004 and 2022 respectively.

Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap

Another important prep race at Saratoga, the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, takes place on Saturday and is an important event for sprinters eyeing the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. This race has a history of producing top-notch sprinters who then go on to do exceptionally well in the Breeders’ Cup.

Standout winners such as Elite Power, Speightstown and Orientate have won both the Vanderbilt and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, underscoring the importance of the race as a preparatory event. The Vanderbilt provides valuable insight into the form and readiness of sprint candidates, making it a must-see for anyone following the road to the Breeders’ Cup.

Diploma

The road to the Breeders’ Cup is filled with excitement and anticipation, and these five prep races play a crucial role in building the field for the championship event. Each race offers unique challenges and opportunities for horses to showcase their skills and earn their place in the Breeders’ Cup. Fans and bettors can gain valuable insight into the potential contenders and track the road to the Breeders’ Cup by closely following these prep races.