A Beginner’s Guide For Betting On The Breeders’ Cup Classic 2022
There aren’t many bigger race days in the United States than the Breeders’ Cup. Friday may be all about the stars of the future, but Saturday is about the stars looking to become legends.
The biggest race of the two-day meet at Keeneland in November this year will once again be the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which brings together the finest horses aged three and older on the dirt. But, if you’re new to betting on horse racing and the race itself, what are the key factors you need to be aware of before making a wager?
What Is The Breeders’ Cup Classic?
While many Americans that follow racing for just the big races may argue that the Kentucky Derby is the biggest raceday of the year, for the ones that watch religiously, nothing is more important than the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The Grade 1 is staged annually in early November, and was previously the richest race to be run on the dirt. It is a prestigious race that offers a purse of $6 million, with the winner often going on to be named the U.S. Horse of the Year.
The field involved will cover a total distance of 1 ¼ miles, with both female and male horses aged three and older able to complete. It is now regarded as the fourth leg of the Grand Slam of Racing, following the three Triple Crown races run earlier in the season. However, only one horse has won all four in the same calendar year- American Pharoah in 2015.
You can find the current odds here: https://www.twinspires.com/breeders-cup/odds
How Do Horses Gain Entry To The Breeders’ Cup Classic?
Unlike other horse races staged across the planet, entry to the many championship races run at the Breeders’ Cup is dependent on success. In order to qualify for a place in the Classic, a horse must first win a Challenge Series race to earn their spot. The Breeders’ Cup Challenge starts in early January, with qualifying races taking place around the world.
The first runner that earned their spot in the Classic this year was Café Pharoah, as the February Stakes took place in Japan earlier this year. However, unsurprisingly, many of the leading challengers for the race this year won their qualifying race in the United States. The first to book their spot was Olympiad, who landed the Stephen Foster, before Cyberknife joined him with a qualifying win in the Haskell Stakes.
However, one of the first big names to earn their spot was Life Is Good, who came out on top in strong fashion in The Whitney in August. Regardless, many believe that we saw the likely winner of the Classic emerge from the Pacific Classic in early September, as Flighline stormed to victory.
Trainer/Jockey Records
One of the key trends to consider before landing on a Classic pick is the records of jockeys and trainers in the race. Bob Baffert is the most successful trainer in the history of the race, as the Hall of Famer has had the winner on four previous occasions. His latest win came in 2020 with Authentic.
Meanwhile, he was also responsible for the winner with the biggest margin, as American Pharoah sailed home by six and a half lengths in 2015. There are two jockeys tied for the most wins in the race, with Chris McCarron and Jerry Bailey both landing five victories. Joel Rosario is the most successful recent winner, as he has landed two wins in the previous four editions of the race.
Who Will Win The Breeders’ Cup Classic 2022?
Many believe that we could see a second winner for John Sadler in the race this year, as Flightline has looked very impressive throughout the season. The four-year-old stepped up imperiously back in September, as he landed the G1 Pacific Classic from Country Grammer and Royal Ship on his first attempt over 1 ¼ miles.
However, there could be a strong bid made by Life Is Good, while this year’s Triple Crown contenders are likely to be headed by Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter.
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Source: igaming
