The Breeders’ Cup is one of the most prestigious events on the horse racing calendar, as the world’s best emerge to tracks in North America to compete for the top prizes.
The event is held at different tracks every year, with Keeneland hosting the event this year, which is also a synonym for 2022 Breeders’ Cup betting.
It’s an event that attracts runners from around the world, as there are different types of races available. In total, there are 14 races staged across the two-day meet, with the most lucrative of prizes available on the second day. But, what are the races that are staged during the Breeders’ Cup?
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Friday at the Breeders’ Cup is all about the emerging stars of the future, with horses aged two competing in some of the most prestigious races. The most important of those comes in the form of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which offers points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf is another standout race on the opening day of the meet, as the brightest two-year-olds on the turf compete for the top prize. This race could offer an early look at contenders for huge international races in 2023, including the Epsom Derby.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
As well as the Juvenile Turf, there is also the Juvenile Fillies Turf, which is only open to fillies aged two. This has been a wide-open race in recent seasons, but it could offer an early glimpse at some potential superstars targeting massive races in 2023.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
While the Fillies Turf and Juvenile Turf are both run over distances exceeding a mile, those better over a shorter trip will be pointed towards the Juvenile Turf Sprint. This race has only been contested since 2018, but one of the most famous winners was Golden Pal in 2020.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
One of the most lucrative races on Friday comes in the form of the Juvenile Fillies, which offers a purse of $2 million. This is contested at the dirt, and vital points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks are up for grabs. There have been some famous winners of this race throughout its history, including Beholder and Songbird.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
The Breeders’ Cup is one of the first races staged on the Championship Saturday, and it has been a solid event to consider contenders for the following year’s Classic. Knicks Go won the race in 2020, before winning the Classic in 2021, while Life Is Good won the race last year and is among the favourites to land victory in the Classic this year.
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint will pit horses aged three and older over seven furlongs. This race is only open to fillies and mares, and it is competed on the dirt. It has been staged since 2007, and recent winners of the race include Ce Ce and Gamine.
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint has been a Grade 1 since 2012, and it is competed over a distance of around six furlongs. Horses aged three and older can run in this race, and a purse of $1 million is available. This year’s race looks set to be an exciting edition, as Golden Pal looks to be a firm favourite to successfully defend his title for trainer Wesley Ward.
Breeders’ Cup Sprint
There is also sprint action on the dirt at the Breeders’ Cup, as the Sprint pits together the fastest horses aged three and older over a distance of six furlongs. It has been a regular fixture at the Breeders’ Cup since its introduction in 1984, and a purse of $2 million is available. Last year’s winner was Aloha West, but a repeat of that looks extremely unlikely, according to the latest odds.
Breeders’ Cup Mile
One of the most interesting betting races at the Breeders’ Cup comes in the form of the Mile. As the name suggests, this race is run over a distance of a mile, with turf horses competing. It has been competed since 1984, and has been won by a British or Irish trainer in three of the previous four years.
Breeders’ Cup Distaff
One of the most exciting races at the Breeders’ Cup this year looks set to be the Distaff. This race is open to fillies and mares aged three and older, and will feature multiple Grade 1 winners such as Malathaat, Lestruska and Clairiere. Further intrigue will also be their, as Nest and Secret Oath look like three-year-olds that are more than capable of posing a threat.
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
The big race on the turf for the fillies and mares is run over a distance of 1 3/16 miles at Keeneland. Horses aged three and older can compete in this race, which has been staged annually since 1999. There was a famous victory for Japan in this race last year, as Loves Only You produced a shock victory.
Breeders’ Cup Turf
The featured race on the grass comes in the form of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which is also the second-most lucrative race at the event. This race offers a purse of $4 million, and the field will compete over a distance of 1 ½ miles. It has been competed annually since 1984, and it was won by Charlie Appleby-trained Yibir in 2021.
Breeders’ Cup Classic
The big race of the meet is the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This is one of the most lucrative races in the world, as it offers a purse of $6 million. It has been staged since 1984, with the field of horses aged three and older competing over 1 ¼ miles on the dirt. It is the fourth leg of the Grand Slam of Racing, but only one horse has managed to win all four in the same calendar year- American Pharoah. This year’s race could see the emergence of a new superstar, as Flightline is a commanding pick at the top of the betting.