Breeders' Cup Classic Picks and Predictions 2021

The Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Racetrack is this weekend. Monique Vág previews the 2020 Breeder's Cup and gives her picks and predictions. The winner of the Classic will take home $6 million.

Tripoli won the TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar two starts back. He has a big jockey upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr. and is going to need to race substantially better than he has in the past to have a chance at the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Express Train is well beaten in all of his Grade 1 tries throughout his career. Victor Espinoza is the new jockey on board for the first time at Del Mar.

Hot Rod Charlie has been very consistent this year. He was disqualified from the TVG Haskell Stakes for causing interference down the lane. The colt's versatility makes him appealing.

Essential Quality was the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Champion at two. He's won eight of nine career races. Essential Quality is trained by Luis Saez and ridden by Brad Cox. The only blemish on Essential quality's record is a wide trip in the Kentucky Derby.

Joel Rosario and Brad Cox are going to train Knicks Go. Knicks is undefeated in two races and has won three straight Graded Stakes races. He's never raced longer than a mile and a half.

Art Collector has won three straight races under trainer Bill Mott. He draws one post outside of Knicks Go and will try to secure position upfront early. Art Collector can be a danger if he doesn't press the pace.

7. Stilleto Boy (Kent Desormeaux, Ed Moger Jr.) - 30/1. Last time out he won the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita at a huge price.

8 Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert) is a winner of two straight races. Trainer Bafert has won Breeders' Cup Classic four of the last seven years.

Max Player has won twice at this distance in his two most recent starts. He's shown a lot more speed in recent races. There's a smaller field of only eight other rivals.