Breeders Cup 2022 : Post position | Friday schedule

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships is the 39th edition of the premier event of the North American Thoroughbred horse racing year.

Breeders Cup 2022 : Post position | Friday schedule

A maximum of 14 horses (12 in the Dirt Mile and Juvenile Turf Sprint) are allowed to start in each race.

Horses can automatically qualify by winning one of the designated races in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, which provide “Win and You’re In” berths in a specified division of the Breeders‘ Cup. Other pre-entries are ranked by a points system and the judgement of a panel of experts.

On October 26, 205 horses were pre-entered in the various races, 46 of which qualified via the Challenge series. The entries include 73 Grade/Group 1 winners and 45 horses from overseas.

Breeders Cup 2022 post position 

Epicenter’s trainer Steve Asmussen called the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic field back in August, as his athlete won the Travers at Saratoga, or more accurately, in addition to Epicenter, he was composing the field in his mind, somewhat like a fantasy football team “owner” would cherry-pick an offensive line.

Here’s what Asmussen said immediately after Epicenter’s commanding win by 4-plus lengths, putting Cyberknife into the shade: “When you think of the horses that are running (now) and how excellent they are, what a great Breeders’ Cup Classic it’ll be if we can get them all lined up.”

Here, the freshly-drawn post positions and morning line odds from Keeneland:

(Post Position, Horse, Odds)

1) Taiba, 8-1

2) Life Is Good, 6-1

3) Happy Saver, 30-1

4) Flightline, 3-5

5) Hot Rod Charlie, 15-1

6) Epicenter, 5-1

7) Olympiad, 10-1

8) Rich Strike, 20-1

That noted, it’s a long way until post time on Saturday, but Epicenter seems right as second-favorite in the odds, separated if only by a nose from Life Is Good. 

Flightline is mighty hot, and Life Is Good is not far off that, so, despite the number and quality of Epicenter’s recent wins, it seems he might be better used in a few creative exotics.

Friday schedule 

The Breeders’ Cup, horse racing’s final major event of the year, is set to begin Friday, Nov. 4 with the Juvenile Turf Sprint and continue into Saturday. The event includes 14 races, including nine on Saturday leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Friday, Nov. 4

Coverage begins Friday on USA Network from 2 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET.