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As the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar get closer on October 31 and November 1, the excitement around the “Win and You’re In” qualifiers is really heating up. For Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, this event is a great opportunity to build on his already impressive record, which features four wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and six in the Juvenile. But before he can get to this year’s championships, he has to tackle a big challenge at Santa Anita. We’re gearing up for an exciting showdown at the Grade 1, $300,000 Goodwood Stakes, which is a crucial qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Baffert changed his game plan for the race just a few moments before it, after his horse, Gaming, was scratched. Baffert kept it straightforward, saying, “Not a good spot for him. We’ll look for something else.” The trainer now has to work with two other three-year-old colts, Privman and Nevada Beach, who he says are still figuring out their potential. They’re going to be up against a tough competitor in Brad Cox’s First Mission, who’s the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the Goodwood. The five-year-old, by Street Sense, has demonstrated Grade 1 talent but hasn’t landed a top-level win yet, so this race is a key goal for Cox. According to Horse Racing Nation, when discussing his horse, Cox mentioned, “We’re trying to win a Grade 1 with him, and obviously that’s our focus, so we’ll see. We’ve always thought he was a Grade 1 talent. He’s come up short when given the opportunity at that Grade 1 level. Hopefully, we can break through on Saturday.” Cox really has faith in First Mission. He’s 10: 6-3-1 in races below Grade 1. Well, the horse just has to replicate the perfect trip he had in his Oaklawn Handicap win in April, where he stalked the pace before finding room to take the lead.
