The 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic, the crown jewel of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships, is set for Saturday at approximately 6:16 p.m. ET at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, hosting the event for the fourth time.
The race features a showdown between veteran contenders Sovereignty and Forever Young and the 3-year-old Golden Tempo, who won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes this year. Forever Young is the 2-1 morning-line favorite, followed by Sovereignty at 5-2 and Golden Tempo at 5-1.
SportsLine handicapper Michelle Yu, who has a strong recent track record including correct predictions in the Saudi Cup, Arkansas Derby, and Kentucky Derby exacta, has released her picks for the Classic. Yu is not high on Golden Tempo as a win contender at 5-1, citing concerns about his come-from-behind style on a typically forward-friendly Keeneland surface. She places him in exotics but not among her top four win choices.
Yu's top pick is a horse she says "has looked in excellent spirits" this week at Keeneland, and she also highlights a longshot with "high cruising speed." Her full predictions are available on SportsLine.
The post positions and odds are as follows: 1. T O Passwod 30-1; 2. Sovereignty 5-2; 3. Golden Tempo 5-1; 4. The Puma 10-1; 5. Forever Young 2-1; 6. Magnitude 6-1 (scratched); 7. Knightsbridge 9-2; 8. Napoleon Solo 15-1.
