Breeders’ Cup
When: November 4 & 5, 2022.
Where: Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky.
Not only is it the most popular US horse racing event of the Autumn months, but the Breeders’ Cup is also one of the most sought-after meetings for horse fans to watch from the calendar year. And it isn’t just North American runners who partake in the event, as the competition focuses on America’s best horses and the most talented runners from across the globe.
More than forty years ago, John Gaines had a vision. He wanted to produce a year-end horse racing championship where the world’s best runners could settle an age-old question, “who’s the best of them all? Yearning for an event that celebrates the best of the best on a national platform can assist the market growth of racing and breeding. And so, the Breeders’ Cup was born.
This year’s Breeders’ Cup will see some of the world’s best horses, trainers, and jockeys assemble on Lexington’s Keeneland Racetrack – with over $27 million in the prize pool.
The main event of the two-day schedule is the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Ran over 1-1/3 miles with male and female horses three years and older, this Grade 1 spectacular has evolved into one of the most competitive thoroughbred horse races globally.
Top 3 Betting favorites for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic as of October 24, 2022:
Flightline 1/2
Life is Good 5/1
Epicenter 11/2
Clark Handicap
When: November 27, 2022.
Where: Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
Churchill Downs racetrack is primarily known for its hosting of the most popular event in US horse racing, the Kentucky Derby. The Clark Handicap is a legendary Grade I race hosted since 1875. Open to horses aged three and older, it holds a $500,000 prize and is one of the oldest horse races in North America that is still actively running.
You aren’t likely to see Drake or Jack Harlow shooting a music video during the winter months in Kentucky, but there’s no denying the importance of this Grade I meeting.
Betting favorites for the 2022 Clark Handicap:
The betting odds for the 2022 Clark Handicap aren’t available, but our betting advice would suggest that you pay attention to the weather before placing your wager. Fast runners often find success if the weather conditions are okay, but if the conditions are poor, look for the horses with the best stamina.
Cigar Mile
When: December 3, 2022.
Where: Aqueduct racetrack in Queens, New York.
For the latter months of 2022, horse racing in New York has an epic schedule as the 29-day Aqueduct fall meet will run from Nov.4 through Dec.31. With 33 stakes, and ten graded events totaling $6.375 million, the Empire State has a lot to offer for race fans.
Located adjacent to JFK Airport at South Ozone Park in Queens, New York, Aqueduct is one of the more popular tracks in North America. As one of the oldest thoroughbred facilities in the United States, Aqueduct has actively hosted race events since 1984.
The highlight of the Aqueduct fall meet is unquestionably the $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (Grade 1). Formerly known as the New York Racing Association Mile Handicap, the rebranded name of the Cigar Mile was inspired by Cigar, a horse who won six successive races between 1994 and 1996. Welcoming runners aged three or older, the race, as its name states, is contested over one mile.
Betting favorites for the 2022 Cigar Mile:
Betting odds for the 2022 Cigar Mile have yet to be released; however, exclusive New York sportsbook promos for bettors can be found while you wait.
Honorable mention: La Brea Stakes
When: December 26, 2022.
Where: Santa Anita in Arcadia, California.
The La Brea Stakes in California is closing out the 2022 US horse racing Grade I calendar. If you have any dollars left the day after Christmas, you can wager on the three-year-old and over fillies that will race over seven furlongs, each looking for a piece of the $300,000 prize.
There's more interesting articles in our section on Horse Racing.
