Jockey Club Gold Cup Picks, Odds, and Preview (Aug 31)
A fascinating weekend of racing action that could shape the market for the Breeders’ Cup Classic concludes at Saratoga on Aug 31, as the Jockey Club Gold Cup headlines the card. Saturday’s action includes the G1 Pacific Classic, but which runners will shorten in the Breeders’ Cup odds this weekend? You can find our Jockey Club Gold Cup picks here.
How To Watch
- When: Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 1:45 PM ET
- Where: Saratoga, New York
- How To Watch: FanDuel TV
Jockey Club Gold Cup Odds
| Horse | Moneyline Odds |
|---|---|
| Sierra Leone | +137 |
| Mindframe | +175 |
| Highland Falls | +800 |
| White Abarrio | +900 |
| Antiquarian | +1600 |
| Disarm | +1600 |
| Banishing | +3300 |
| Phileas Fogg | +3300 |
| Contrary Thinking | +6600 |
Recent Winners of Jockey Club Gold Cup
| Year | Winning Horse |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Highland Falls |
| 2023 | Bright Future |
| 2022 | Olympiad |
| 2021 | Max Player |
| 2020 | Happy Saver |
Race Preview
Sunday’s horse racing action will be headlined with a fascinating renewal of the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. This race has been won by countless Hall of Fame horses throughout history, including Cigar, Affirmed, Man o’ War, and Whirlaway. But, which runner will add their name to the high-quality roll of honor?
Two previous Breeders’ Cup Classic winners collide in the race this weekend, but it is challenging to foresee White Abarrio rolling back the years following his disappointing runs in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap and G1 Whitney. In the latter, he was four lengths behind the other Classic winner in the field- Sierra Leone.
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Chad Brown’s four-year-old has held his form excellently throughout this season, winning the Whitney by a length from Mindframe on his last start. His consistency is remarkable, and he should prove difficult to beat now back up to his preferred distance of a mile and two.
Mindframe has a win over Sierra Leone this term after getting the better of his reappearing rival over a mile and one in the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs. However, it remains to be seen whether he can confirm that form now up another furlong.
It would be impossible to dismiss Highland Falls for trainer Brad Cox, as the five-year-old won the Jockey Club Gold Cup last year by four lengths. However, he was 14 lengths behind Sierra Leone in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and beaten straightforwardly enough in the Whitney last time.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Picks
The distance is key for Sierra Leone, and I’m a huge fan of the runner over this weekend’s trip. He stays well, and that could be the key to reversing the form with Mindframe.
The top two in the betting appear to be the obvious Exacta angle, while I wouldn’t be put off taking Antiquarian to complete the Trifecta.
Todd Pletcher’s four-year-old has been progressive this season, finishing a close second behind Mystik Dan in the G3 Blame, before coming an unlucky second behind Phileas Fogg last time over course and distance in the G2 Suburban.
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