2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Jockey: Smith

Trainer: Baffert

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.

Comments: Almost got there last time out in the G1 Haskell but fell a head short to finish 2nd behind Cyberknife. So he’s still NW3L eligible after 4 lifetime starts. His win in the SA Derby off a maiden victory in his previous start almost forced Baffert’s hand to run in the Derby off only two starts. And predictably, he struggled to overcome a wide post and the large field to finish a distant 12th. Opened at 30-1 in the Future Wager and closed at 14-1 so there’s still plenty of believers in his camp. He’ll have to show serious improvement if he’s going to win the Classic.

Jockey: Ortiz, Jr.

Trainer: Pletcher

Owner: CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC

Comments: Won his first three races for Baffert before he got entangled in the Medina Spirit Derby debacle and was stripped of his duties by CHC Inc and WinStar Farm LLC, the owners of this son of Into Mischief who has won 7 of 9 races lifetime. He was last year’s winner of the BC Dirt Mile at Del Mar to end his 3YO campaign. And came right back to start the new year with a wire-to-wire victory in the Pegasus World Cup. Finished 4th, two lengths behind Country Grammer and Hot Rod Charlie in the Dubai World Cup but made up for that loss with a LTO win in the G2 Nerud at Belmont going 7/8s. Running lines show he only knows one way to win – fast and furious – but he’ll have to carry his speed longer than he has in his previous starts against the best currently in training. Second choice at 6-1 in Pool 1.

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Pletcher

Owner: Wertheimer and Frere

Comments: 1 win in the past two years. Won the JCGC in ’20. Tries hard and has faced the best of his class. Appears Lasix is his long-lost friend. And he takes forever to switch leads in the lane.

Jockey: Prat

Trainer: Sadler

Owner: Hronis Racing LLC, Siena Farm LLC, Summer Wind Equine LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, LLC

Comments: Undefeated in 4 career starts, he’s the late blooming 4YO son of Tapit and the current favorite to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November at Keeneland. In his first three wins as a 3YO his margin of victory was a combined 37 1/2 lengths. He won his 4YO debut in the G1 Metropolitan Mile by six. But in 4 races he’s beaten a combined 21 other horses and will have something to prove as he progresses toward the Classic in November. He won’t bring as much racing experience to the starting gate against the younger horses he’ll line up against. But his age advantage and success at beating older horses will help beat back any challengers as he attempts to stretch out around two turns — maybe for the first time. 2-1 favorite at the close of Pool 1.

Jockey: Prat

Trainer: O’Neill

Owner: Boat Racing, LLC, Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck), Roadrunner Racing and Strauss, William

Comments: Hard knocking son of Preakness winner Oxbow was the choice of the talking heads on Derby Day ’21. Ultimately ended up second in the official order of finish for Kentucky Derby 2021 after the disqualification of the Baffert trained and recently deceased Medina Spirit. Almost got the distance next time out in the Belmont but came up short to finish behind the beaten Derby favorite Essential Quality. Could go on about his next out DQ from 1st to 7th in the Haskell but suffice it to say that despite winning the G1 Pennsylvania Derby and crushing the G2 Al Maktoum in the UAE in his first race at 4, he’s not a horse that can be relied upon to carry his connection’s colors into the winner’s circle on Breeders’ Cup Classic Day. Finished second at 95-1 behind Essential Quality in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile run at Keeneland. But that was going 1 1/6 miles. So, despite his apparent affinity for the Keeneland strip, the 1 1/4 miles distance should again prove too much for him. 24-1 to close Pool 1 seems generous to us.

Jockey: Rosario

Trainer: Asmussen

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

Comments: Has only faced 3YOs thru his G2 Jim Dandy win last time out. Runner up as the favorite in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Dam won 5 races at 1 mile all on the turf (0 wins on dirt in 17 starts). Sire won two of four career starts and retired after finishing second in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. Grandsire on his dam’s side was undefeated in six races for HOF trainer McAnally. This guy has smashed the meager performances of his immediate bloodline and we have a feeling he’s going to relish the Keeneland oval. Third choice at 7-1 in Pool 1.

Jockey: Alvarado

Trainer: Mott

Owner: Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable, LLC and LNJ Foxwoods

Comments: Opened at 9-2 in the BC Future Wager. Despite his current five race win streak early bettors couldn’t see past the strength of Flightline to bet this one down any lower than his 17-1 closing odds in Pool 1. Faced a field of 10 going 7 furlongs in a NW1X allowance at Keeneland last October with a running line comment that reads “cleared, game, tenacious” as he outpaced all others to the wire. That “home field advantage” should always be the top angle of handicappers. 17-1 might be a gift.

Jockey: Leon

Trainer: Reed

Owner: Red TR-Racing, LLC

Comments: Connections cried foul but not allowed after runner-up performance LTO in G2 Lukas Classic. Beat Epicenter in ’22 Derby at 80 to 1 . Critics want a new rider but they won’t get it here. Deep closer will get plenty of pace to run at in a short field. His affinity for CD was evident in last.