On the surface, handicapping the Breeders Cup is almost impossible. Horses come from all over the world, having run at different distances against different competition and we are supposed to figure out how they will run on the biggest day in racing against huge, very good fields. With some work it's not as hard as that, but it can be intimidating. If you don't want to do all that handicapping, though, you can hatch whatever crazy theory you want to find a winner. Three of the last four Distaff winners have had names starting with A, so you might like Asi Siempre. An American born jockey hasn't ridden a Turf winner since 1998, so you might want to do some passport checking before you buy your ticket in that race. There have been five back-to-back winners, so maybe you'll like Shirocco in the Turf, the only returning winner.
To help you come up with a theory that works for you, here are all the past winners of the races since the Breeders' Cup started in 1984. When you are looking at past victors, keep in mind that the races in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998 and 2000 were all on the same Churchill Downs track as they will be this year.
Breeders' Cup Winners with margin of victory, time, Jockey and Trainer.
Juvenile
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Stevie Wonderboy | 1:41.64 | G. Gomez | D. O'Neill |
| 2004 | Wilko | 1:42.09 | F. Dettori | J. Noseda |
| 2003 | Action This Day (21/4) | 1:433/5 | David Flores | Richard Mandella |
| 2002 | Vindication (23/4) | 1:493/5 | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
| 2001 | Johannesburg (21/4) | 1:421/5 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
| 2000 | Macho Uno (ns) | 1:42:00 | Jerry Bailey | Joe Orseno |
| 1999 | Anees (21/2) | 1:421/5 | Gary Stevens | Alex Hassinger Jr. |
| 1998 | Answer Lively (hd) | 1:44:00 | Jerry Bailey | Bobby Barnett |
| 1997 | Favorite Trick (51/2) | 1:412/5 | Pat Day | Patrick Byrne |
| 1996 | Boston Harbor (nk) | 1:432/5 | Jerry Bailey | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1995 | Unbridled's Song (nk) | 1:413/5 | Mike Smith | James Ryerson |
| 1994 | Timber Country (1/2) | 1:442/5 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1993 | Brocco (5) | 1:424/5 | Gary Stevens | Randy Winick |
| 1992 | Gilded Time (3/4) | 1:432/5 | Chris McCarron | Darrell Vienna |
| 1991 | Arazi (43/4) | 1:443/5 | Pat Valenzuela | Francois Boutin |
| 1990 | Fly So Free (3) | 1:432/5 | Jose Santos | Scotty Schulhofer |
| 1989 | Rhythm (2) | 1:433/5 | Craig Perret | Shug McGaughey |
| 1988 | Is It True (11/4) | 1:463/5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1987 | Success Express (13/4) | 1:351/5 | Jose Santos | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1986 | Capote (11/4) | 1:434/5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1985 | Tasso (ns) | 1:361/5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Neil Drysdale |
| 1984 | Chief's Crown (3/4) | 1:361/5 | Don MacBeth | Roger Laurin |
Juvenile Filly
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Folklore | 1:43.85 | Edgar Prado | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 2004 | Sweet Catomine | 1:41.65 | C. Nakatani | J. Canani |
| 2003 | Halfbridled (21/2) | 1:423/5 | Julie Krone | Richard Mandella |
| 2002 | Storm Flag Flying (11/2) | 1:493/5 | John Velazquez | Shug McGaughey |
| 2001 | Tempera (11/2) | 1:412/5 | David Flores | Eoin Harty |
| 2000 | Caressing (1/2) | 1:423/5 | John Velazquez | David Vance |
| 1999 | Cash Run (11/4) | 1:431/5 | Jerry Bailey | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1998 | Silverbulletday (1/2) | 1:433/5 | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert |
| 1997 | Countess Diana (81/2) | 1:421/5 | Shane Sellers | Patrick Byrne |
| 1996 | Storm Song (41/2) | 1:433/5 | Craig Perret | Nick Zito |
| 1995 | My Flag (1/2) | 1:422/5 | Jerry Bailey | Shug McGaughey |
| 1994 | Flanders (hd) | 1:451/5 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1993 | Phone Chatter (hd) | 1:43:00 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Richard Mandella |
| 1992 | Eliza (nk) | 1:424/5 | Pat Valenzuela | Alex Hassinger |
| 1991 | Pleasant Stage (nk) | 1:462/5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Chris Speckert |
| 1990 | Meadow Star (5) | 1:44:00 | Jose Santos | LeRoy Jolley |
| 1989 | Go for Wand (23/4) | 1:441/5 | Randy Romero | Wm. Badgett Jr. |
| 1988 | Open Mind (13/4) | 1:463/5 | Angel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1987 | Epitome (ns) | 1:362/5 | Pat Day | Phil Hauswald |
| 1986 | Brave Raj (51/2) | 1:431/5 | Pat Valenzuela | Melvin Stute |
| 1985 | Twilight Ridge (1) | 1:354/5 | Jorge Velasquez | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1984 | Outstandingly | 1:374/5 | Walter Guerra | Pancho Martin |
SPRINT
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Silver Train | 1:08.86 | E. Prado | R. Dutrow Jr |
| 2004 | Speightstown | 1:08.11 | J. Velazquez | T. Pletcher |
| 2003 | Cajun Beat (21/4) | 1:073/5 | Cornelio Velasquez | Stephen Margolis |
| 2002 | Orientate (1/2)) | 1:084/5 | Jerry Bailey | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 2001 | Squirtle Squirt (1/2) | 1:082/5 | Jerry Bailey | Bobby Frankel |
| 2000 | Kona Gold (1/2) | 1:073/5 | Alex Solis | Bruce Headley |
| 1999 | Artax (1/2) | 1:074/5 | Jorge Chavez | Louis Albertrani |
| 1998 | Reraise (2) | 1:09:00 | Corey Nakatani | Craig Dollase |
| 1997 | Elmhurst 1/2) | 1:081/5 | Corey Nakatani | Jenine Sahadi |
| 1996 | Lit de Justice 11/4) | 1:083/5 | Corey Nakatani | Jenine Sahadi |
| 1995 | Desert Stormer (nk) | 1:09:00 | Kent Desormeaux | Frank Lyons |
| 1994 | Cherokee Run (nk) | 1:092/5 | Mike Smith | Frank Alexander |
| 1993 | Cardmania (nk) | 1:083/5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Derek Meredith |
| 1992 | Thirty Slews (nk) | 1:081/5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Bob Baffert |
| 1991 | Sheikh Albadou (nk) | 1:091/5 | Pat Eddery | Alexander Scott |
| 1990 | Safely Kept (nk) | 1:093/5 | Craig Perret | Alan Goldberg |
| 1989 | Dancing Spree (nk) | 1:09:00 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Shug McGaughey |
| 1988 | Gulch (3/4) | 1:102/5 | Angel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1987 | Very Subtle (4) | 1:084/5 | Pat Valenzuela | Melvin Stute |
| 1986 | Smile (11/4) | 1:082/5 | Jacinto Vasquez | Scotty Schulhofer |
| 1985 | Precisionist (3/4) | 1:082/5 | Chris McCarron | L.R. Fenstermaker |
| 1984 | Eillo (ns) | 1:101/5 | Craig Perret | Budd Lepman |
Mile
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Artie Schiller | 1:36.10 | G. Gomez | J. Jerkins |
| 2004 | Singletary | 1:36.90 | D. Flores | D. Chatlos |
| 2003 | Six Perfections (3/4) | 1:334/5 | Jerry Bailey | Pascal Bary |
| 2002 | Domedriver (3/4) | 1:364/5 | Thierry Thulliez | Pascal Bary |
| 2001 | Val Royal (13/4) | 1:32:00 | Jose Valdivia | Julio Canani |
| 2000 | War Chant (nk) | 1:343/5 | Gary Stevens | Neil Drysdale |
| 1999 | Silic (nk) | 1:341/5 | Corey Nakatani | Julio Canani |
| 1998 | Da Hoss (hd) | 1:351/5 | John Velazquez | Michael Dickinson |
| 1997 | Spinning World (2) | 1:323/5 | Cash Asmussen | Jonathan Pease |
| 1996 | Da Hoss (11/2) | 1:354/5 | Gary Stevens | Michael Dickinson |
| 1995 | Ridgewood Pearl (2) | 1:433/5 | John Murtagh | John Oxx |
| 1994 | Barathea (hd) | 1:342/5 | Frankie Dettori | Luca Cumani |
| 1993 | Lure (21/4) | 1:332/5 | Mike Smith | Shug McGaughey |
| 1992 | Lure (3) | 1:324/5 | Mike Smith | Shug McGaughey |
| 1991 | Opening Verse (21/4) | 1:372/5 | Pat Valenzuela | Dick Lundy |
| 1990 | Royal Academy (nk) | 1:351/5 | Lester Piggott | M.V. O'Brien |
| 1989 | Steinlen (3/4) | 1:371/5 | Jose Santos | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1988 | Miesque (4) | 1:383/5 | Freddie Head | Francois Boutin |
| 1987 | Miesque (31/2) | 1:324/5 | Freddie Head | Francois Boutin |
| 1986 | Last Tycoon (hd) | 1:351/5 | Yves St.-Martin | Robert Collet |
| 1985 | Cozzene (21/4) | 1:35:00 | Walter Guerra | Jan Nerud |
| 1984 | Royal Heroine (11/2) | 1:323/5 | Fernando Toro | John Gosden |
Distaff
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Pleasant Home | 1:48.34 | C. Velasquez | S McGaughey |
| 2004 | Ashado | 1:48.26 | J. Velazquez | T. Pletcher |
| 2003 | Adoration (41/2)) | 1:491/5 | Pat Valenzuela | David Hofmans |
| 2002 | Azeri (5) | 1:483/5 | Mike Smith | Laura de Seroux |
| 2001 | Unbridled Elaine (hd) | 1:491/5 | Pat Day | Dallas Stewart |
| 2000 | Spain (11/2) | 1:473/5 | Victor Espinoza | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1999 | Beautiful Pleasure (3/4) | 1:472/5 | Jorge Chavez | John Ward Jr. |
| 1998 | Escena (ns) | 1:494/5 | Gary Stevens | Bill Mott |
| 1997 | Ajina (2) | 1:471/5 | Mike Smith | Bill Mott |
| 1996 | Jewel Princess (11/2) | 1:481/5 | Corey Nakatani | Wallace Dollase |
| 1995 | Inside Information (131/2) | 1:46:00 | Mike Smith | Shug McGaughey |
| 1994 | One Dreamer (nk) | 1:503/5 | Gary Stevens | Thomas Proctor |
| 1993 | Hollywood Wildcat (ns) | 1:481/5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale |
| 1992 | Paseana (4) | 1:48:00 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally |
| 1991 | Dance Smartly (1/2) | 1:504/5 | Pat Day | Jim Day |
| 1990 | Bayakoa (63/4) | 1:491/5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally |
| 1989 | Bayakoa (11/2) | 1:472/5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally |
| 1988 | Personal Ensign (ns) | 1:52:00 | Randy Romero | Shug McGaughey |
| 1987 | Sacahuista (21/4) | 2:024/5 | Randy Romero | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1986 | Lady's Secret (21/2) | 2:011/5 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1985 | Life's Magic (61/4) | 2:02:00 | Angel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1984 | Princess Rooney (7) | 2:022/5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale |
Turf
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Shirocco | 2:29.30 | C. Soumillon | A. Fabre |
| 2004 | Better Talk Now | 2:29.70 | R. Dominguez | G. Motion |
| 2003 | Johar* (DH) | 2:241/5 | Alex Solis | Richard Mandella |
| 2003 | High Chaparral* (DH) | 2:241/5 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
| 2002 | High Chaparral (113/4) | 2:301/5 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
| 2001 | Fantastic Light (3/4) | 2:241/5 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
| 2000 | Kalanisi (1/2) | 2:264/5 | John Murtagh | Sir Michael Stoute |
| 1999 | Daylami (21/2) | 2:243/5 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
| 1998 | Buck's Boy (11/4) | 2:283/5 | Shane Sellers | Noel Hickey |
| 1997 | Chief Bearhart (3/4) | 2:24:00 | Jose Santos | Mark Frostad |
| 1996 | Pilsudski (11/4) | 2:301/5 | Walter Swinburn | Michael Stoute |
| 1995 | Northern Spur (nk) | 2:42:00 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally |
| 1994 | Tikkanen (11/2) | 2:262/5 | Mike Smith | Jonathan Pease |
| 1993 | Kotashaan (1/2) | 2:25:00 | Kent Desormeaux | Richard Mandella |
| 1992 | Fraise (ns) | 2:24:00 | Pat Valenzuela | Bill Mott |
| 1991 | Miss Alleged (2) | 2:304/5 | Eric Legrix | Pascal Bary |
| 1990 | In The Wings (1/2) | 2:293/5 | Gary Stevens | Andre Fabre |
| 1989 | Prized (hd) | 2:28:00 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale |
| 1988 | Gt. Communicator (1/2) | 2:351/5 | Ray Sibille | Thad Ackel |
| 1987 | Theatrical (1/2) | 2:242/5 | Pat Day | Bill Mott |
| 1986 | Manila (nk) | 2:252/5 | Jose Santos | Leroy Jolley |
| 1985 | Pebbles (nk) | 2:27:00 | Pat Eddery | Clive Brittain |
| 1984 | Lashkari (nk) | 2:251/5 | Yves St.-Martin | de Royer-Dupre |
Filly & Mare Turf
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Intercontinental | 2:02.34 | R. Bejarano | R. Frankel |
| 2004 | Ouija Board | 2:18.25 | K. Fallon | E. Dunlop |
| 2003 | Islington (nk) | 1:59:00 | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute |
| 2002 | Starine (11/2) | 2:033/5 | John Velazquez | Bobby Frankel |
| 2001 | Banks Hill (51/2) | 2:001/5 | Olivier Peslier | Andre Fabre |
| 2000 | Perfect Sting (3/4) | 2:13:00 | Jerry Bailey | Joe Orseno |
| 1999 | Soaring Softly (3/4) | 2:134/5 | Jerry Bailey | James J. Toner |
CLASSIC
| Year | Winner (Margin) | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2005 | Saint Liam | 2:01.49 | J. Bailey | R. Dutrow Jr |
| 2004 | Ghostzapper | 1:59.02 | J. Castellano | R. Frankel |
| 2003 | Pleasantly Perfect (11/2) | 1:594/5 | Alex Solis | Richard Mandella |
| 2002 | Volponi (61/2) | 2:012/5 | Jose Santos | Philip Johnson |
| 2001 | Tiznow (ns) | 2:003/5 | Chris McCarron | Jay Robbins |
| 2000 | Tiznow (nk) | 2:003/5 | Chris McCarron | Jay Robbins |
| 1999 | Cat Thief (11/4) | 1:592/5 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 1998 | Awesome Again (3/4) | 2:02:00 | Pat Day | Patrick Byrne |
| 1997 | Skip Away (6) | 1:591/5 | Mike Smith | Hubert Hine |
| 1996 | Alphabet Soup (ns) | 2:01:00 | Chris McCarron | David Hofmans |
| 1995 | Cigar (21/2) | 1:592/5 | Jerry Bailey | Bill Mott |
| 1994 | Concern (nk) | 2:022/5 | Jerry Bailey | Richard Small |
| 1993 | Arcangues (2) | 2:004/5 | Jerry Bailey | Andre Fabre |
| 1992 | A.P. Indy (2) | 2:001/5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale |
| 1991 | Black Tie Affair (11/4) | 2:024/5 | Jerry Bailey | Ernie Poulos |
| 1990 | Unbridled (1) | 2:021/5 | Pat Day | Carl Nafzger |
| 1989 | Sunday Silence (1/2) | 2:001/5 | Chris McCarron | C. Whittingham |
| 1988 | Alysheba (ns) | 2:044/5 | Chris McCarron | Jack Van Berg |
| 1987 | Ferdinand (ns) | 2:012/5 | Bill Shoemaker | C. Whittingham |
| 1986 | Skywalker (11/4) | 2:002/5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | M. Whittingham |
| 1985 | Proud Truth (hd) | 2:004/5 | Jorge Velasquez | John Veitch |
| 1984 | Wild Again (hd) | 2:032/5 | Pat Day | Vincent Timphony |
