The 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland is one of the most eagerly anticipated races in the 39-year history of the BC World Championships.
The excitement is due to the presence of FLIGHTLINE, who brings a perfect 5-for-5 record and some of the fastest speed figures in history to the $6 million dollar, Grade 1 Classic.
FLIGHTLINE has taken the racing world by storm since last summer and enters the Classic as the clear favorite to Win the 1 ¼-mile race and consequently secure Eclipse Awards for both champion older dirt male and Horse of the Year.
FLIGHTLINE will face the toughest field of his brief racing career. His seven opponents have all Won Grade 1 races and earned more than $1 million on the track.
That said, here are the (brief) bios of the rest of the field.
1. TAIBA (ML 8-1) Jockey: Mike Smith Trainer: Bob Baffert Career Record: 5 starts – 3 Wins – 1 second – 0 thirds Career Earnings: $1,236,200 Earnings Per Start: $247,240 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 114 Age: 3 Running Style: Stalker
2. LIFE IS GOOD (ML 6-1) Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher Career Record: 11 starts – 9 Wins – 1 second – 0 thirds Career Earnings: $4,361,700 Earnings Per Start: $396,518 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 125 Age: 4 Running Style: Pacesetter
3. HAPPY SAVER (ML 30-1) Jockey: John Velazquez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Career Record: 12 starts – 5 Wins – 5 seconds – 1 third Career Earnings: $1,198,100 Earnings Per Start: $99,842 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 122 Age: 5 Running style: Stalker
4. FLIGHTLINE (ML 3-5) Jockey: Flavien Prat Trainer: John Sadler Career Record: 5 starts – 5 Wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds Career Earnings: $1,394,800 Earnings Per Start: $278,960 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 128 Age: 4 Running Style: Pacesetter/press the pace
5. HOT ROD CHARLIE (ML 15-1) Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Doug O’Neill Career Record: 18 starts – 5 Wins – 5 seconds – 4 thirds Career Earnings: $5,556,720 Earnings Per Start: $308,707 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 122 Age: 4 Running Style: Press the pace/stalker
6. EPICENTER (ML 5-1) Jockey: Joel Rosario Trainer: Steve Asmussen Career Record: 10 starts – 6 Wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds Career Earnings: $2,940,639 Earnings Per Start: $294,064 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 111 Age: 3 Running Style: Press the pace/stalker
7. OLYMPIAD (ML 10-1) Jockey: Junior Alvarado Trainer: Bill Mott Career Record: 12 starts – 8 Wins – 1 second – 1 third Career Earnings: $2,007,560 Earnings Per Start: $167,297 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 123 Age: 4 Running Style: Stalker
8. RICH STRIKE (ML 20-1) Jockey: Sonny Leon Trainer: Eric Reed Career Record: 11 starts – 2 Wins – 1 second – 3 thirds Career Earnings: $2,200,489 Earnings Per Start: $200,044 Age: 3 Running Style: Closer
The Breeders’ Cup Classic will be televised live nationally on NBC with a scheduled Post Time of 5:40.
