2024 Breeders' Cup Recap: Sierra Leone wins the Classic, Thorpedo Anna for HOTY, and more

[@NYRABets]

What were you big takeaways from Breeders' Cup Weekend? Thoughts on the Classic? Who is your HOTY winner? Let us know in the comments.

[@kareemmonzer7894]

I have to say, you’ve been such a phenomenal addition to horse racing on KZbin. Easily the best channel at the moment. Looking forward to growing this channel!

[@EduardoRodriguez-hd7wh]

Me too I lost on all 14 Cups.Boy Thorpedo Anna is a monster filly.

[@stephenmolaro2031]

Torpedo Anna is definitely horse of the year! I only wish she had beat fierceness! And my horse of the day won! More than looks!!!

[@ronaldguffee8696]

I totally bombed at Del Mar, Saturday I had a few horses but Sunday I couldn't pick my nose. Pratt had a great day, carried Leonne to victory.

[@dianab3768]

Matthew, thank you for all of your, what I find to be, extremely enlightening commentary. I agree with your point about COT and Next being entered in the race in that it made for terrific interest and betting opportunities.

[@courtneysaint4311]

Much respect to Fierceness. Should be top 3yr .

[@fabianprendergast1091]

Torpedo Anna horse of the year

[@carlosbillings4830]

Fierceness ran a big race to fight on and finish 2nd.

[@sancho8441]

I agree. Sometimes the winner isn't the best horse in the race. Fierceness pressed the hot pace 3 wide and only fade a 1/2 furlong out.

[@CarlCarlson-k5p]

Matt thks 4 yr shows and our discussions on each of sat.races that u answered me back. Said that in classic I was betting derma w.p.s. n sierra w.p. we discussed 3 horses I liked the most rousham park nakatomi and full Serrano. Only missed the dirt sprint in my pk6. Had 5 of 6. Don't remember if u had the sprint winner. Shout out to yr dad with s.b. who likes cooler weather. Horse of year is tough. Thks 4 all yr handicaping.

[@MrHhill2001]

I to tally agree on the merchandise. I’d love trading cards of the horses. Saddle cloths

[@NYRABets]

Thank you!! Glad someone else in on board with us!

[@terrydodson9884]

Exactly, I’d love to have some merc with my favorite horses on it!

[@terrydodson9884]

I was most impressed with Lake Victoria! She was awesome!

[@MargaretBortz]

In the Breeder's Cup there were horses I really liked - like Next and City of Troy. And there were really fast horses - we all know who they are. There was one horse I really didn't want to win -- Fierceness. I don't have anything against him except his earlier inconsistency and his rivalry with Thorpeda - so I really didn't want him to finish first. I thought: "which horse am I most sure will finish in the top three? So I bet on Sierra Leone to WPS. And he didn't disappoint.

[@MrHhill2001]

I thought next got hurt and pulled up. I definitely bet him hard. Oh well still enjoyed the race

[@NYRABets]

He definitely was pulled up and finished slow. Not sure if he got hurt. Waiting word from connections.

[@Greyedoutoo]

starting to believe that Christophe Lemaire is a closers bet friend , Derma and Crown Pride!

[@janetcameron4743]

How a Fan was Made: I had never watched a race in my 65 years until POTUS #45 posted drone footage of Rich Strike's Kentucky Derby win on his social media. It went viral, and eventually people like me saw it. I saw that footage just before the Saratoga meet, and have watched NYRA ever since. I saw YT creators... from rappers to NASCAR champs, getting hysterical watching that horse's smooth trip. Now I hear that he's gone from Bill Mott's barn to stud. Gone, with zero fanfare. God, don't let him end up discarded at an auction somewhere. We're losing track of waaay to many horses out there, even with their tattoos and microchips. I was glad to see Zoe Cadmon's "In Prat I trust," justified in the Classic, and the F&M Turf. Eclipse Award... ☑ McPeek also said that Zen master Mystic Dan will be running in '25! My only strong opinion of the 2 days was, "Brian, don't get boxed in again!" After the Travers (boxed in #1, or she would have won), the Cotillion (boxed in #2) gets my vote for most frustrating race of the year. Afterward, so many people wondered, "is she going off form?" Is that just 'broadcaster' mandatory drama, or did they really not SEE the race? Those of little faith couldn't believe she'd hold her form for an entire year. Why is that? Thorpedo Anna... horse of the year. Resume shouts it. My takeaway is that Del Mar is not a career-making-or-breaking track. It's too peculiar to give a "level playing field."

[@tbl4r126]

5:43 Because horseracing isnt a sport anymore, its a business. Horses are worth more in the breeding shed, and owners aren't going to risk an injury or a loss that would devalue their investment.

[@RoxE22]

My biggest disappointment in the Classic was Ushba. He should have been coming late alongside with Sierra Leone. I wonder if the stirrup getting stuck in his mouth caused some issues. I noticed after that incident they started galloping him earlier in the mornings.

[@rudseldelima3816]

Matthew once again excellent analysis of the breeders cup. My disappointment for some old professionals horse racing analyzers misleading betters with some non professional betting tips. Horses like Next, city of Troy, cogburn etc.its different as giving a longshot horse which as for gambling perspective is very different

[@NYRABets]

Thanks! You need to provide value to players. The first thing you should always do when handicapping is poke holes in favorites and in the case of both of those there were plenty of holes.

[@bobbernhardt6751]

@@NYRABets I was bummed about Cogburn .... Financially and maybe even more so as a fan. ( Although the money would have been nice lol )

[@tupi005]

@@bobbernhardt6751you like to see great horses run big on big days but was skeptical about the competition he faced this year.

[@bobbernhardt6751]

How about those 3 yo's ...wow

[@NYRABets]

A really nice group. Now, if they could all come back at 4 that would be awesome!

[@MargaretBortz]

Come on. Who could say anyone deserves horse of the year more than Thorpeda Anna? After the Distaff? After the Travers, when the only reason she didn't put Fierceness away was because she was boxed in on the rail? We both know if she'd had six more strides he would have been second. You must be joking. I thought you were a smart guy:-(

[@MargaretBortz]

FYI, I made good money at the Breeder's Cup.

[@nasirfazal5440]

I bet Siera in every race but classic he had lost his credibility but l made big bet to show and cashed and double my money.

[@CarlCarlson-k5p]

Thinking about what u asked 4 h.o.t.y. I think u have to give it to her. Unfortunately she didn't run against idiomatic but that not her fault. She didn't duck anyone like some horse ducked out of prkness n belmont almost beat fierceness n was ahead of s.l. in travers. So that's it. Trainer did what was good 4 racing even with his k.d. winner ran in all 3 triple crown races. Ducked no one.

[@nasirfazal5440]

Troy ran like a claiming plug so much for the greatest trainer in the world . Trainers are the greatest charlatans they really screw the betting public, Shameless. Dr Nasir Fazal Cambridge USA

[@alcw625]

Derma Sotogake, was that a team plan to burn out Arthur's Ride and Fierceness setting up Forever young? that was un real fractions. Or did we have a jockey just lose control, there's no way he could have thought that he could run and hide at that pace. Fierceness dug in but couldn't hold off SL. Fierceness still my horse of the year with more G1 wins, in the money all but 1 overcrowded Kentucky Derby (yes please limit it to 14)...and as for COT...what a ridiculous joke to play on the UK betting market...that horse had no chance, no training and not the right breeding to compete in a dirt race..it would have been a much more interesting turf rematch. Outside that, some bombs ruined my pick 5s. Sad to see Seize the Grey be so tired. On Friday, I had some good wins and made more $$ than Saturday

[@lj291261]

Lost in all 14 races. 🫣🤮🤬👎🤮

[@NYRABets]

Well that stinks! BC races are notoriously hard to handicap and bet.

[@AndyMcVay]

I had three winners and cashed seven doubles. Zero p3,p4 or pick 5. Those are SO tough. Sticking with exactas, doubles & W’s in the future big days. Lessen well-learned! Enjoy your work. Thank You