The Top Races To Watch At The Breeders Cup 2022

This championship, often referred to as the World Cup of thoroughbred racing, is a brilliant championship that is considered to be the highlight of the season

The inaugural Breeders’ Cup was hosted at the now-defunct Hollywood Park in 1984 but has since been hosted at many other racetracks across the country.

Since 2007, the event has expanded to cover two days of racing instead of just a single day. This means more races, even more horses, and a whole lot of excitement for fans everywhere.

With so many events to observe, it’s easy to see why this championship is a favorite event among horse racing bettors. You can find Breeders Cup odds for more precise information before the 2022 championship.

That being said, here are the top races to watch at the 2022 Breeders’ Cup.

Where Is the Championship Being Held In 2022?

In 2022, the championship will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. This is a designated National Historic Landmark in the US for its key role in the significant growth of horse racing over the years.

It’s also considered to be one of the best racehorse tracks in the entire world. So, it’s easy to see why fans are excited that the championship returns to this venue yet again!

How Do Horses Qualify?

Eligible racehorses can qualify in many ways. This includes a point ranking system that records big wins from previous races, or may even include being hand-picked by a panel of experienced judges working within the industry.

After all, the championship is designed to show off the best of the best racehorse talent!

How Many Horses Can Compete?

A maximum of 14 contenders can compete in each race — all except the Dirt Mile which allows just 12 racehorses. Contenders are chosen based on criteria such as a point system, judgment from industry experts, and Breeders’ Cup challenge races.

Which Are the Top Breeders’ Cup Races?

If you’re a fan of horse racing in general, we’d strongly encourage you to watch all the races throughout the two days if you can.

You’ll not only get the chance to watch your favorites go toe-to-toe with other talented racehorses but you may also be introduced to some underdogs who may pull through to the lead!

Of course, there are a few standout races to watch. These include the races with higher purses like the Turf and Classic, and also include races with a lower purse such as the Juvenile Turf.

The Breeders’ Cup championship comprises 14 exciting races for horses of all ages. Below, we have included the four major races you need to keep an eye out for during this showstopping championship.

Breeders’ Cup Races — Friday, November 4th, 2022

There are two races you should keep an eye out for on the first day of the championship. These are for two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses.

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Purse: $1 million

This is a grass course Grade I race that is open to both male and female two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses and is run at anywhere between 5 and 5 ½ furlongs. It’s limited to 12 starters but that doesn’t take anything away from the excitement of the fixture! It also has a purse of $1 million.

Juvenile Turf

Purse: $1 million

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf is typically raced on a dirt racetrack and features only two-year-old males. It has a $1 million purse and, as a result, is the richest competition in the world for two-year-old racehorses.

One thing that the Juvenile Turf is best known for is showing off the talents of up-and-coming stars. In fact, many of the racehorses return as three-year-olds in the following season.

Breeders’ Cup Races — Saturday, November 5th, 2022

Below, we have also included the two races you must watch on the second and final day of the Breeders’ Cup championship. Both of these are for Thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Turf

Purse: $4 million

The Breeders’ Cup Turf is a Grade I race and has the second-highest purse in the entire championship. Only Thoroughbred horses aged three years and up can compete.

It was initially designed for international fans and covers a total distance of 1.5 miles. This is the classic European distance. As a result of this, it’s one of the most appealing races in terms of its internationality.

A lot of the racehorses that have dominated the Breeders’ Cup Turf within the last couple of winners have originated from Europe. We can only assume that this lucky streak will continue

Classic

Purse: $6 million

Arguably the most anticipated race of them all is the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic. It’s easily the crowning moment of the weekend. In this race, 14 racehorses compete to win a share of the huge $6 million purse, making it the richest horse race on a global scale.

Because of this, it is also seemingly the most competitive race of them all.

To officially qualify for this race, a Thoroughbred horse must be at least three years of age. The classic is a pretty competitive race and only the best of the best are granted entry.

Where You Can Watch the Races

On Friday 4th November, the first day of the championship, the first race will be race #6 starting at 3 pm. The final race on the first day of the fixture will be race #10 at 5:40 pm.

Many channels will stream the events from the Breeders’ Cup championship in 2022. Some of these include FanDuel TV, Peacock, NBC, and USA Network which will be showcasing the opening day of the Breeders’ Cup between 2 and 6 p.m. on that day.

Summary

These are the top races you must watch at the Breeders Cup 2022. Of course, you should aim to watch all the races if you can as there are many notable racehorses participating this season. But if you’re simply looking for the most exciting races to watch during the two-day-long event, this is a great starting guide!

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes