breeders' cup classic | Horse Racing Free Tips

Coach Calipari to Draw BC Classic

University of Kentucky men's basketball head coach John Calipari will draw the post positions for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at the Rood & Riddle Breeders' Cup post position draw Monday, Oct. 31 at Rupp Arena, beginning at 2:45 p.m. ET. The draw will offer free admission to the general public with no ticket required.

It will be hosted by racing broadcasters Britney Eurton and Rishi Persad and feature a special appearance by renowned University of Kentucky men's basketball head coach John Calipari. Coach Cal will draw the post positions for the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

The post positions for all 14 World Championships races will be drawn and announced live on FanDuel TV and streamed on the Breeders' Cup website, Official Mobile App, and Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels. A special FanDuel TV preview show will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET.

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Unbeaten Flightline Headlines 205 Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entries

With unbeaten sensation Flightline (Tapit) leading the way, 205 horses, including 45 from overseas, and seven former or returning Breeders' Cup champions, have been pre-entered for the 39th Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Nov. 4 & 5. The Breeders' Cup will be televised live domestically on NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and FanDuel TV. Click here to view all of the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships Pre-Entered Fields.

Nine horses were pre-entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. In addition to the record-setting GI Pacific Classic winner Flightline, the $6-million centerpiece has also attracted last term's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt hero Life Is Good (Into Mischief) as well as standout sophomores Epicenter (Not This Time), GI Kentucky Derby upsetter Rich Strike (Keen Ice) and Taiba (Gun Runner). Fellow 3-year-old Cyberknife (Gun Runner) has a first preference in the Dirt Mile.

“We're gonna be in with really great horses, this is what makes this so special. If you look at that field in the Breeders' Cup Classic, it's going to be a really dynamic race,” said Flightline's trainer John Sadler, who won the 2018 Classic with Accelerate.

The GI Breeders' Cup Distaff will feature a highly anticipated showdown between Todd Pletcher-trained heavyweights champion Malathaat (Curlin) and leading 3-year-old filly Nest (Curlin). Six additional fillies or mares have been pre-entered in the star-studded Distaff, including GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath (Arrogate), MGISW Clairiere (Curlin) and runaway GI Cotillion S. winner Society (Gun Runner).

“We're super excited about the way both of them are coming up to it,” Pletcher said. “Two really top- class fillies. I kinda hate running the two of them against each other, but it's certainly what both of them deserve.”

Champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music), a disappointing sixth as the favorite in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, will take on the race's defending winner Aloha West (Hard Spun) once again while Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) will shoot for his third straight Breeders' Cup victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Defending GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) will be back to defend her title as well. Pre-entries for the F&M Sprint also include last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) and streaking GI Ballerina H. winner Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper).

Talented MGISW sophomore Jack Christopher (Munnings), pre-entered in both the Sprint and Dirt Mile, has a first preference in the former. Cody's Wish (Curlin) and Laurel River (Into Mischief) will both stretch out to two turns for the Dirt Mile following eye-catching wins going seven furlongs in the GI Forego S. and GII Pat O'Brien S., respectively.

Classy 5-year-old mare War Like Goddess (English Channel) will take on males in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, including a powerful one-two punch from Godolphin's German MG1SW Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}); last year's Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}); and 2021 Saudi Cup winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}).

A wide-open GI Breeders' Cup Mile pre-entered field of 18 includes: GI Coolmore Turf Mile S. winner Annapolis (War Front); streaking MG1SW Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}); last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}); G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. upsetter Bayside Boy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}); cross-entered G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp heroine Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}); comebacking MGISW Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}); 2020 Mile winner Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}); and last year's runner-up Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute).

Last out Chad Brown-trained GISWs In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) and European invaders Above the Curve (American Pharoah), Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) are among 15 pre-entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Standouts on the 'Future Stars Friday' program include: GISWs Cave Rock (Arrogate), Forte (Violence) and Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile; and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies-bound Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke), Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) and And Tell Me Nolies (Arrogate).

Friday's featured GI Breeders' Juvenile Turf has drawn 18 pre-entries, including the streaking Californian Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause), GII Pilgrim S. winner Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), GII Bourbon S. winner Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance) and European invaders Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road), Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf has 23 pre-entries, including GII Miss Grillo S. top three Pleasant Passage (More Than Ready), Free Look (Tapit) and Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}); GI Natalma S. upsetter Last Call (English Channel); GII JPMorgan Chase Jessamine S. winner Delight (Mendelssohn); and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never).

Unbeaten Iowa-bred Tyler's Tribe (Sharp Azteca), pre-entered in both the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and Juvenile, has a first preference in the former.

Headliners for the Juvenile Turf Sprint (26 pre-entries) include: G1SW The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), unbeaten Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) and Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag), who could provide trainer Wesley Ward with a fourth straight win in the race. The Platinum Queen defeated older horses in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines at ParisLongchamp.

“Once again we could not be more proud with the outstanding quality of horses from around the world that have been pre-entered for this year's World Championships for a spectacular two days of racing with our host track partner Keeneland,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders' Cup President and CEO. “We applaud the men and women across the globe who are preparing these magnificent Thoroughbreds for their ultimate tests of competition on Nov. 4-5. It is also important to recognize our breeders and nominators and their support and commitment in funding the purses and awards for the World Championships.”

Race Order and Wagering Menu Announced…

The official order of races and wagering menu for the 2022 Breeders' Cup were also announced Wednesday. There will be a total of 10 races (five Breeders' Cup races) on the first day of the Championships–“Future Stars Friday”–and 12 races on the Saturday program (nine Breeders' Cup races). The Friday program begins at 11:55 a.m. ET with five undercard races. Championship Saturday's first post is 10:30 a.m. ET and begins with two undercard races.

The 2022 wagering menu will include a Breeders' Cup All-Turf $3Pick 3 on Friday. The three races, in order, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Race 6), the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Race 8), and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Race 10).

The Breeders' Cup All-Turf Pick 4 on Saturday is a $.50 minimum wager and will package four of the best turf races in the world together. The four races, in order, are the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Race 4), Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Race 6), Breeders' Cup Mile (Race 8), and the Breeders' Cup Turf (Race 10).

Championships Race Order (All Times Eastern)…

The first Championship race on “Future Stars Friday” will be the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (3:00 p.m.) followed by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (3:40 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (4:20 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (5:00 p.m.) and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (5:40 p.m.).

Championship Saturday begins with two undercard races followed by the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (11:50 a.m.), the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (12:29 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (1:10 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (1:50 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Sprint (2:30 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Mile (3:10 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Distaff (3:55 p.m.), the Breeders' Cup Turf (4:40 p.m.) and the Breeders' Cup Classic (5:40 p.m.).

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‘Hats and Halters’ To Benefit PDJF, TJC Safety Net Foundation

'Hats and halters,' an online auction in which racing fans will have an opportunity to bid on and win halters and hats of this year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic entrants, will raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. The fundraiser opened Oct. 25 and runs through Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. ET.

The auction winner of each halter gets a meet and greet with the horse by January 2023, and if they select the halter of the Classic winner, they receive $5,000. There will also be a limited number of Breeders' Cup hats of all Classic entrants provided by the Breeders' Cup and signed by the jockey slated to ride the horse in the Classic that will be offered for $200. Displays will be featured at Jock Tales, Fashionable Fillies, and A Call to Post.

'Hats and Halters' Gold Sponsors include WinStar Farm and CHC (Life Is Good); Lane's End, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, Hronis Racing, and Summer Wind Equine (Flightline); Gainesway, LNJ Foxwoods, Grandview Equine,and Cheyenne Stable (Olympiad); Gainesway, Strauss Bros. Racing, and Roadrunner Racing (Hot Rod Charlie); Zedan Racing Stables (Taiba); Wertheimer and Frere and Airdrie Stud (Happy Saver); Red TR Racing (Rich Strike); and Spendthrift Farm.

“Our heartbeat is for the people who work so hard to care for our beloved athletes,” said Shannon Kelly, Executive Director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. “Thanks to all the owners and bidders who will participate.”

“We are always grateful for the support of our beloved jockeys by the owners,” said Nancy LaSala, PDJF President. “Their support means the world to our recipients.”

For more information and to participate in the online halter auction, visit 32Auctions.com/BCHatsandHalters2022. For the hats, visit https://pdjf.org/shop/.

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Bringing Back Flightline at Five and Why It Makes Sense

The Week in Review, by Bill Finley

Even on a day when he merely worked out, Flightline (Tapit) was front-page news after his early morning breeze Saturday at Santa Anita. That's how much he has captivated the sport; it's the reason why everyone is so hopeful that his career does not end after the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and that his owners can resist immediately cashing in on the hundreds of millions he will make at stud.

The group has collectively said that no decision will be made until after the Breeders' Cup while hinting that they are leaning toward running him next year. One owner, Kosta Hronis, said there is a “great possibility” that Flightline will race as a 5-year-old. Co-owner Bill Farish, who will eventually manage his stud career at Lane's End, said “we are all racing fans and we all want to do what is good for the sport,” which makes it sound like he would have no problem with Flightline racing next year.

Most people see it this way, that the decision comes down to “doing what is good for the sport” versus cashing in, indeed a tough choice.

That said, “the good for the game” reasoning is somewhat weak. Flightline did not run in the Triple Crown races and the mainstream media all but ignores racing unless there is a juicy controversy. For those reasons, he is largely unknown outside of racing circles, making it very difficult for him to attract new fans to the sport. While one more year would thrill existing fans, a Flightline campaign in 2023 would do little to increase handle or raise racing's profile.

But there's another factor to consider, and it's a big one. What price do you put on the priceless? What price do you put on the thrills, the excitement, the glory and everything else that comes with owning a once-in-a-lifetime horse, the type of horse none of these owners, no matter how lucky they might be, will ever have again? And whatever that price is, is it worth more than the money to be made from Flightline's first year at stud?

I don't think that the decision to bring Flightline back will come down to the money to be made at stud or doing what's right by the sport. If they bring him back, it will be because the owners can't let go of the thrills and they want to come back for more.

“All the owners love racing,” Farish said. “There's nothing more fun than what happened at Del Mar the other day in the Pacific Classic. Everybody is a fan at heart.”

Exactly.

The owners are Farish, Hronis, Anthony Manganaro, Jane Lyon and Terry Finley and his partners at West Point Thoroughbreds. I can't imagine that any of them need the money, a new boat or a private jet. Yes, they are in the business to make money, but neither would they be in racing if they didn't love the sport.

Before Flightline came around their goals were no doubt pretty much the same as everyone else's who race and breed horses. They wanted to be involved with good horses, win major races and then develop them as sires or broodmares. That's the formula and, normally, the decision to keep racing or retire a horse isn't that difficult. All five owners play the game at the highest level and are always capable of coming up with another very good horse to replace the very good horse they just retired.

But this is different. The Flightline 5 will never have another Flightline because this is a horse that has extended the boundaries of what we all thought was possible. He wins the GI Pacific Classic by 19 1/4 lengths and it looks like he isn't even trying. He's never been tested or challenged. He's yet to have a race where he didn't dominate the competition. He will be going against some exceptional horses in the Classic, but will be such an overwhelming favorite that the oddsmakers have pegged him at 3-5 in their morning lines. Every time he runs, you're expecting him to do something you used to think was beyond expectations.

The rest of us can only imagine what it must be like to own this horse. He is the horse all five owners have dreamt of since getting in the business, the horse they have worked their lifetimes for, but the horse they never possibly thought would come their way. Yet, the owners have enjoyed the experience only five times and it will be only six if he retires after the Breeders' Cup. How can they not want more or let go so easily?

Whether or not Flightline runs at five, the owners will still make boatloads of money when he does go off to stud. Why not have your cake and eat it too? This story is too good to end in less than two weeks at the Breeders' Cup. Bring him back next year and do it because there are things in life more valuable than money.

No Stakes at Santa Anita

Bundling major stakes races on one day is all the rage. Where top stakes races used to be spread throughout a track's dates, now many of them wind up being run on the same day. And the formula is working. These super-cards attract the bettors and the handles are significantly higher than on a normal Saturday.

This Saturday, Santa Anita will offer seven stakes races. On the surface, it's a smart move. The Saturday before the Breeders' Cup is normally a quiet one and what will be a standout card at Santa Anita will grab the attention of the wagering public.

But there's already been a price to pay.

There were no stakes on last Saturday's card at Santa Anita, which is something that never happens. There wasn't even an allowance race on the nine-race card. It didn't feel like a Saturday at the “Great Race Place.” It was more like a quiet Thursday afternoon. It's not just Santa Anita. There have been plenty of cards at major tracks where there was nothing special on a humdrum menu.

Big-event days are here to stay and that's not a bad thing. But couldn't Santa Anita have taken just one of the seven stakes slated for Saturday and run it a week earlier? The card sure could have used it.

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