Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile 2026 Picks, Odds, Leading Contenders, Betting Insights & Analysis
Championships Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup gets underway with a high-quality renewal of the G1 Dirt Mile. Some of the last memories of the Breeders’ Cup in recent years have come in this race, including Cody’s Wish winning in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023.
You can find out more about the leading contenders based on the odds at the best horse racing betting sites and our Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile picks here.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile 2026 Odds
| Horse | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Knightsbridge | William Mott | +175 |
| Bishops Bay | Brad Cox | +650 |
| Bracket Buster | Victoria Oliver | +650 |
| Further Ado | Brad Cox | +700 |
| Plutarch | Bob Baffert | +900 |
| Crude Velocity | Bob Baffert | +1000 |
| Napoleon Solo | Chad Summers | +1000 |
| Chunk Of Gold | Ethan West | +1600 |
Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook. Check back to find the latest BetOnline odds for the Breeders’ Cup.
How to Bet On The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
These are the best sportsbooks for U.S. bettors to place wagers on the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile:
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Race Information
| Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| Time | 1:10 PM ET |
| How to Watch | NBC, Peacock, FanDuel TV |
| Distance Covered | 1 Mile |
| Prize Money | $1 Million |
| Most Successful Trainer | William Mott, Todd Pletcher, Jerry Hollendorfer (2) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Joel Rosario (3) |
ALSO SEE: Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli Picks, Vegas Odds & Betting Preview (Oct 31)
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Betting Trends
- Nine of the last 12 winners of the BC Dirt Mile have been aged four or older, with only three winners aged three.
- Seven of the last 12 winners of the race have been the starting time favorites.
- Recent winning form is a strength, with seven of the last 12 winning on their last start.
- Nine of the last 12 victors have had at least three previous career starts over a mile.
- Only half of the last 12 winners have previously won a Grade One, but eleven of the last 12 have secured at least Grade Three honors.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey/Trainer | Starting Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nysos | Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert | -143 |
| 2024 | Full Serrano | Joel Rosario/John Sadler | +1340 |
| 2023 | Cody’s Wish | Junior Alvarado/William Mott | -125 |
| 2022 | Cody’s Wish | Junior Alvarado/William Mott | +108 |
| 2021 | Life Is Good | Irad Ortiz Jr/Todd Pletcher | -143 |
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile 2026 Leading Contenders
Knightsbridge (William Mott)
William Mott will be targeting a third win in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile since 2022 this year. Knightsbridge arguably brings the best form into this race, having won the G3 Monmouth Cup and G1 Pacific Classic on his last two starts.
He was a winner over a mile at Gulfstream Park earlier in the season, beating notably weak fields in the G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes and G3 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes. Only blemishes have come over distances of a mile or less in Grade One company, taking sixth in the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes over seven furlongs and he was beaten four lengths by Nysos in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap.
Bishops Bay (Brad Cox)
Brad Cox will have a leading chance in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, with Bishops Bay set to take his chance. The six-year-old started his season by chasing home BC Classic favorite Forever Young in the G1 Saudi Cup, before finishing second on back-to-back starts in the G3 Westchester Stakes and G3 Salvator Mile.
Has since got back in the winning groove, landing the G3 Philip H. Iseline (beating Chunk Of Gold) and outstaying Coal Battle to land the G3 Ack Ack. Proven over a mile, and capable of getting involved based on his consistency over the distance.
Bracket Buster (Victoria Oliver)
There’s a strong case to be made that Bracket Buster would be a significantly shorter price had he be trained by a more recognized trainer. However, Victoria Oliver has done an excellent job with the Vekoma colt, winning three stakes races. He lost little in defeat when narrowly touched off in the Parx Dirt Mile in September, which looked like a stepping stone with the Dirt Mile in mind.
Dominated the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes in August to win by a yawning 15-length margin. Has mixed it with the best, including finishing second behind Sovereignty in last year’s G1 Travers and taking fourth in the G1 Haskell. Interesting over a mile based on his last two efforts and will largely be overlooked based on connections alone.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Dark Horse to Consider
A couple of horses are interesting at bigger odds for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. If landing here, Caldera will have a massive chance for the Saffie Joseph Jr stable.
The four-year-old was only narrowly touched off over 1 1/8 miles by Forged Steel in the G1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita in September, and this drop back to a mile would suit. Set dazzling speed figures throughout the summer over the distance at Colonial Downs (127) and Gulfstream (122). Certain chance of a place if traveling to Keeneland.
Crude Velocity could also be a red-hot contender if lining up at Keeneland. The three-year-old has been a standout three-year-old throughout the season, notably seeing off the hugely talented Englishman in the G2 Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs in May.
That form was reversed over seven furlongs in the G1 Woody Stephens, but the distance suited the current BC Dirt Sprint favorite more so than Crude Velocity, who will be better suited to a mile or further based on being a son of Beau Liam.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile 2026 Picks
I would be very against Knightsbridge for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, as his best performances have come over further, and this race seems like an afterthought due to the stable also having Sovereignty, who is considered a better chance for the team than Knightsbridge for the Classic.
Therefore, Iron Man Cal could be a very interesting option for the savvy Philip D’Amato. The four-year-old has been an excellent operator as a four-year-old this season, showing his ability over a mile to record a speed figure of 119 at Santa Anita on the turf in July. Has proven back class on the grass, having finished second in the BC Juvenile Turf in 2024.
However, his runs on the dirt this season have been hugely progressive. He was only beaten three lengths on dirt debut by Preakness winner Journalism in the G2 San Diego Handicap over an extended mile before his stamina reserves were on full display to get him over the line to score in the G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes in August.
Still has untapped potential on the dirt and is massively overlooked for a yard that typically gets their runners to peak at the optimal time.
- Iron Man Cal to Win the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
- Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Trifecta Box: Iron Man Cal, Caldera, Knightsbridge, Owen Almighty
