The best equine stars on the planet were in action across two days of competition at Keeneland, and the Breeders’ Cup 2022 will live long in the memory. It was a two-day spectacle that exceeded expectations, and many of the bettors in attendance walked away from the course in Kentucky with heavier pockets. But, you can catch up on some of the biggest headlines from the event this year in this 2022 Breeders Cup recap.
Flightline Dominates Classic
The standout Breeders Cup race came in the form of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Expectations were high among those in attendance, with Flightline being the clear favorite in the horse racing odds. However, the John Sadler-trained runner wasn’t about to miss out on his opportunity to create more history. The four-year-old sat second after breaking quickly, as he chased Life Is Good.
However, once Flightline switched gears, the leader has no answer, and he sailed around the multiple-time Grade 1 winner with ease on the bend. From that moment, the only question was how far he was going to win by. The answer? A stunning eight-and-a-half lengths. Immediate questions were then asked about what comes next, and connections announced the following day that the unbeaten four-year-old would be sent to stud. Olympiad eventually took second, while Taiba finished in third.
Europeans Dominate Turf Races
We half expected to be writing this 2022 Breeders Cup recap after a couple of European victories on the turf at Keeneland, but the raiders were extremely dominant on the grass in Kentucky. For the first time in history, European raiders won five of the races on the turf, with the only exception coming in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which was won in shocking fashion by Caravel.
Aidan O’Brien enjoyed an excellent two days at Keeneland, as he claimed victory in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Juvenile Turf on Friday. That success would continue into Saturday, as Tuesday was one of the more impressive winners of the day in the Filly & Mare Turf. It wouldn’t be the Breeders’ Cup without victories for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, and the Godolphin train continued to roll in the U.S. with victories in the Juvenile Turf Sprint and Turf.
Modern Games also produced one of the performances of the meet, as he landed a second Breeders’ Cup win with victory in the Mile from Shirl’s Speight and Kinross. Rebel’s Romance won the Turf for Appleby, with five of the top six trained in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Malathaat Is The Queen
The distaff division has been one of the most difficult to predict throughout the season, and that was evident by the wide selection of horse racing picks for the Distaff at Keeneland. Fans were treated to one of the best races of the entire year at Keeneland, with the top three across the line separated by a nose.
However, it would be vindication for Malathaat and Todd Pletcher, as the four-year-old eventually got the decision, as she finished a nose clear of Blue Stripe and a cumulative nose clear of Clairiere. Nest was slightly disappointing in the strong field, as she finished back in fourth, over three lengths behind Clairiere in third.
Jackie’s Warrior and Golden Pal Disappoint
Aside from Flightline, two of the strongest contenders in the betting heading into the Saturday were Jackie’s Warrior and Golden Pal. However, both were extremely disappointing in their respective races. Jackie’s Warrior, who was making his final career start, finished over a length behind Elite Power, while C Z Rocket rolled back the years to take second in a thrilling renewal of the Sprint.
Not for the first time this year, Irad Ortiz was slow out of the gate with Golden Pal. Just like at Royal Ascot, the Wesley Ward-trained runner tired down the stretch and couldn’t finish any closer than tenth. The Turf Sprint also produced the biggest priced winner of the day, as Caravel won at odds of 43/1. Emaraaty Ana finished second, with Creative Force taking third. The Filly & Mare Sprint went the way of Goodnight Olive, who finished two lengths clear of Echo Zulu.
Cody’s Wish Creates Story Of The Meet
The best story at the Breeders’ Cup this year came in the form of William Mott’s Cody’s Wish. Despite beating Cyberknife by a head in the Dirt Mile, the best moment came after the race, as the horse and connections were reunited with Cody Dormer.
The horse was named in honor of the 16-year-old after the foal met the Dormer at Mott’s yard four years ago. Dormer suffers from Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, and on his visit to see the horses, Cody’s Wish was the only horse to go up to Dormer, as he set his head down on the child’s lap. It was a victory celebrated by those that didn’t even bet on Cody’s Wish to win the race.
Star Juveniles
The Breeders’ Cup isn’t all about crowning champions, as we get a first glimpse at some of the stars of tomorrow. This 2022 Breeders Cup recap was slightly disappointed with Cave Rock, as he had no answer for the speed boasted by Forte in the final couple of furlongs in the Juvenile.
Wonder Wheel was one of the star performers on the opening day, as she finished three lengths clear of Leave No Trace in the Juvenile Fillies. Meanwhile, there were victories for European raiders Mischief Magic, Meditate, and Victoria Road in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Juvenile Turf, respectively.
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