Rowan Ward
The richest and most prestigious race of the Breeders’ Cup is the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), a $6 million race for the world’s best two-turn dirt horses. The race covers a mile and a quarter, the American Classic distance, on the dirt at Keeneland Race Course. It is the most eagerly awaited betting horse race of the entire Breeders’ Cup meeting.
The heavy favorite is going to be Flightline, who was nothing short of brilliant when dismantling his foes at the Pacific Classic this summer. However, he will have to face top older horses like Hot Rod Charlie, Olympiad, and Life Is Good, as well as leading three-year-olds like Epicenter, Taiba, and Rich Strike.
The list of Breeders’ Cup Classic winners is a who’s who of top horses over recent years: Curlin, Zenyatta, Sunday Silence, Cigar. Who will join this list in 2022? Keep reading to find out, and also to find out the best places to bet the race online!
Where to Bet the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Picking the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic matters, but it also matters to pick the right place to bet the Breeders’ Cup Classic online. You have many choices for online sportsbooks, but our experts are here to help make that decision easy. They know the best online sportsbooks, and their expertise can help you make the best choice quickly.
Every sportsbook we recommend has the basics of a great wagering experience: a smooth user interface, trusted deposit and cash-out features, and real Las Vegas odds. Every site also offers its own slate of bonuses, and different incentives suit different bettors best.
Our experts can help you figure out which sportsbook bonuses are best for your betting style, including deposit and sign-up benefits, referral incentives, and horse racing rebates. Take a few minutes now to find the best ones for you, and get ready for the most profitable Breeders’ Cup ever!
Breeders’ Cup Classic Horses and Odds
This is the official field for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning lines:
- Taiba (Bob Baffert/Mike Smith) – 8/1
- Life Is Good (Todd Pletcher/Irad Ortiz, Jr.) – 6/1
- Happy Saver (Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez) – 30/1
- Flightline (John Sadler/Flavien Prat) – 3/5
- Hot Rod Charlie (Doug O’Neill/Tyler Gaffalione) – 15/1
- Epicenter (Steve Asmussen/Joel Rosario) – 5/1
- Olympiad (Bill Mott/Junior Alvarado) – 10/1
- Rich Strike (Eric Reed/Sonny Leon) – 20/1
Remember that these morning lines are just the track’s best guess of post time odds. If you bet at the track, you cannot guarantee yourself these odds. They will fluctuate until post time.
Your smartest bet is to wager at an online sportsbook. Not only do they let you wager in advance, but you lock in the best odds at the moment you place your bet. That way, when you see an overlay you can ensure that great price is the one you get when your horse wins the race!
 |  |  |
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| Flightline | -225 | -230 | -225 |
| Epicenter | +600 | +650 | +550 |
| Life Is Good | +800 | +850 | +700 |
| Taiba | +1200 | +1200 | +800 |
| Hot Rod Charlie | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Olympiad | +2800 | +1200 | +1400 |
Free Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks
Now that you know how to find the best places to play the race, let’s get to know the best horses in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Favorite
Flightline is the deserving favorite heading into the Breeders’ Cup. Though he had not tried two turns before the Pacific Classic, he not only stayed the trip, but looked stronger than ever as he powered away from the field down the lane. Not only does he have a high cruising speed, but he has proven that he can stalk, and also proven that he can handle some trouble and run an excellent race.
Expect Life Is Good to take the early lead, with possibly Hot Rod Charlie to keep him honest. But, Life Is Good’s distance limitations have been exposed. Flightline will be close behind, tactical speed plays well at Keeneland, and the favorite should have the right running style to oblige.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders
Other than Flightline, the runner with the most upside is Epicenter. The leader of the three-year-old division all year long, he finally got his Grade 1 in the Travers, covering a mile and a quarter just like the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His pace versatility should help him carve out a trip, and he has been able to run to his company in every two-turn try of his career.
Taiba also has upside in this spot. Trainer Bob Baffert often shows up in the Breeders’ Cup, and Taiba’s tactical speed is an asset. Jockey Mike Smith often shows up in big races, as well. The biggest question for Taiba is the mile and a quarter, as his only attempt came in the Kentucky Derby. But, he is a more mature horse now.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Longshots
The aforementioned Hot Rod Charlie is a long shot to win, but has a good chance to find his way into the exotics. He consistently shows up at the top level, and ran a good second in the Dubai World Cup over a mile and a quarter this year. He has tactical speed, and Gaffalione broke a string of second-itis when he rode this horse to victory last out at Churchill Downs.
Happy Saver is another who can find a piece of the action at a price. the mile and an eighth at Churchill last out might have been a little too short, but he is a Grade 1 winner at a mile and a quarter and is a horse who improves with distance. Though he has not won in a year and a half, he has been a consistent presence in exotics and he gets experienced big-race jockey John Velazquez back in the irons.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Free Picks
Now that you know the best online sportsbooks and the most important contenders, here are the best bets for Sunday’s 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic:
- $20 to win – #4 Flightline
- $1 exacta key – #4 Flightline with #1 Taiba, #6 Epicenter
- $0.50 trifecta key – #4 Flightline with #1 Taiba, #5 Hot Rod Charlie, #6 Epicenter
- $0.20 superfecta key – #4 Flightline with #1 Taiba, #3 Happy Saver, #5 Hot Rod Charlie, #6 Epicenter
