The 10-furlong Breeders\u2019 Bowl Classic has the richest purse of all the Bowl races, with $6 million up for grabs. The purse heavy race also has the largest Breeders\u2019 field with 20 runners aimed to fight it out to win this big race, a race that may determine the winner of the Horse of the Year. Ironically, entered into this field is last year\u2019s Horse of the Year winner, Thewayof The Force. He has amassed over $13 million in winnings, the most in the field. Three other entrants, Nightborne, Jamison Again and Seattle War Front have won in excess of $5 million each with the rest of the field looking to add to their bankroll and joining these with high purse winnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The race is on a fast track and looking at the extended weatherwoman\u2019s forecast, her prediction is for some clouds with a 5% chance of a passing shower. In other words, we should expect a fast track with a minimal chance it may become wet, so we will handicap on that theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before looking at the field, I\u2019d like to dedicate this article to fellow game player Itch. Itch has been a longtime player of our sim horse game and a contributor of many articles to the BTB. Itch\u2019s articles are skillfully composed and the writings told a story of each horse that was covered in the article giving a lovely recap of the runner\u2019s career and often included in depth owner commentary. I do not think that Itch\u2019s talent can be replicated, it’s an art that he has mastered and it\u2019s impossible to outdo a master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Itch is dealing with serious health issue and my thoughts and prayers are with him. Itch has a horse that recently ran it\u2019s final grade level, with the sim community giving support for the horse on the game boards, however, the win did not come. The horse is named The Itchmeister and has won 12 races over 26 races and well over a half million in career earnings. Itch was planning to put the horse into the auction after it\u2019s final race. However, Itch has decided to give everyone an equal shot at ownership and it\u2019s entered in a $2,000 claimer in West Virginia on December 2nd<\/sup>, his way of giving a champ back to our community. I would not be surprised if a record number of claims are made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m dedicating this article to Itch in recognition for all of the support he has offered to other players in the chat room and on the boards and all the time and effort he put into the game with his articles. Articles that add such a wonderful dimension to the game and take a lot of time, effort, and research to assemble. His dedication to the game is appreciated and I wish you the best Itch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, here\u2019s a look at this year\u2019s Breeders\u2019 Bowl Classic field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. 14\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n BATTLE WRECKAGE (owned by MTK76)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 5-1-1-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Deep Impact x Smart Strike x Storm Cat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This five year old is out of he-mare Clash of Battle who was an 8 time winner with much of his success coming in the allowance level. Battle Wreckage<\/a> has started four times in G1 races this year with one allowance appearance. His first outing was in the Glenn Kegasus Tradition Killer where he ran close to the lead for the majority of the race, keeping within a stride of the leader but eventually could not keep up and dropped back to fourth with a nice 117 speed, and beat out by Seattle War Front (1st<\/sup>) and Lemon Drop Ghost (3rd<\/sup>), both who are entered in the Classic race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Charles Town Classic was his next race, and he would meet Lemon Drop Ghost once again. Battle Wreckage got away third and settled several strides off the lead and would gain a small amount in the stretch and finished second with a 115 speed, and out running Lemon Drop Ghost who ended up in 7th<\/sup>. Battle Wreckage would then meet again with Seattle War Front in the Barry Foster. Battle would run off the lead in fourth and start advancing after the half. He took the lead briefly past the third call but late runners, headed by Joseph the Pioneer (winner) would over take him. Battle Wreckage would conclude the race in fourth, this time ahead of Seattle War Front who was two spots back in sixth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Battle Wreckage then swapped the dirt for the grass and ran in an allowance race which he won with ease and a very good 111 speed. He returned to the dirt, with hopes that the dirt-grass-dirt shuffle would rattle a G1 win out of Battle in the Turning Point. It would not. He ran rather flat in the race finishing fifth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Battle Wreckage has earned a paycheck in each of his starts this season but none have been a winning grade race. His speeds have been competitive and is being asked to run 10-furlongs for the first time. He continues to seek that elusive G1 victory but takes on a very tough field to make the break thru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. 50\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n NIGHTBORNE (owned by Kaner)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 7-4-1-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Justify x Aptitude x Rubiano<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nightborne is a scratch-bred young three-year-old who will be competing with older horses for the first time. He is a mid-field runner who yields a strong late run. He is captured four wins this year which include three in graded races with one sandwiched in between in the allowance class. His 2022 season started off with a G2 victory in the Minnie Minoso Derby where he fought his way to the lead and held off a late closer from the back by a mere head and hitting his first 100+ speed (103). In February, he ran a non-competitive 7th<\/sup> in the G1 Funky Buddha but was able to rebound in a listed stake run in April where he finished second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nightborne had accumulated enough points and earned a spot in the G1 Bluegrass Derby. He entered the huge 20-horse field at 15-1 and quickly found himself in the mid-field 10ths spot, some 8-lengths back at the half. He accelerated and as the pack turned into the stretch, he rolled past horse after horse, getting to the top and pulling off to a two-length victory. This put Nightborne in a position to pursue the Triple Crown, so off to the Middle Jewel he was sent. The short two-week break, as it often does, proved to be too much to overcome and the Derby champion would not be at his best, finishing 10th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nightborne was pointed to the Travelers Stakes and to fill the gap between starts, he ran in an allowance race, going on the turf for the first time. Here, on an off-track, Nightborne was able to easily beat a small field and the refreshener worked well for him. In the G1 Travelers, he entered the gate at 12-1. He quickly took the fifth spot and was patient as he gradually made up ground leading into the stretch. He made things look effortless as Nightborne powered his way to the lead and drew away by 2 strides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming into the Breeders\u2019 Classic, Nightbourne looks to be in top shape as he hit a 116 speed in the Travelers. Although this youngster has not raced against older horses before, he has the ability to beat them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. 13\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n HUDDLED MASSES B (owned by Jakematt)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 6-3-2-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Ghostzapper x Corinthian x Seeking the Gold<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Huddled Masses B is a 5-year old gelding that was bred out of he-mare Surf the Turf II, who was an allowance winner in his racing days and won over half his starts (9 out of 17). While Huddled Masses B has not won at the same clip, he has done well with 7 career wins in 22 starts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming into 2022, Huddled Masses B had not won a stake race. He started the season with a near-miss second in a listed race going 8.5 furlongs, just short by half a stride and a strong 115 speed. He was super sharp in his next listed stake appearance, recording a 119 speed and galloping to capture his first stake win by a length and a quarter advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Off this very nice win, Huddled Masses B was pointed into his first grade level race, the G3 Billy Donald. Huddled is pretty much a mid-field runner and took comfort in that spot in this race, settling into the eighth slot. After trailing by a half dozen strides at the midpoint, he picked up the pace, closed ground, and finished second with a 116 speed, missing the top spot by a mere quarter length. Huddled Masses B<\/p>\n\n\n\n Returned to the listed stake level and had a dismal outing in June, finishing way back in 12th<\/sup> and never a serious threat in the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This outcome was a minor setback as Huddled Masses B rebounded bigtime in his next start, which was another listed event. He stayed closer to the lead, more of a stalking style this time, and he closed very nicely and stole the win by three-quarters of a length and popping a 120 speed. He returned to grade level racing and took on the field in the G2 Brookline Handicap. Huddled Masses B cushioned himself in the fifth spot early on, moved up to fourth by the half, and took off from there. He mastered the field by just shy of a length with another triple-digit speed, this time a 118. Huddled Masses B\u2019s speeds have been solid this year except for the one listed race he had a terrible trip in. He will probably be overlooked by the bettors, but those who back him may be smiling at the end of the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. 12\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n EQUINE ETIQUETTE (owned by MTK76)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 5-1-2-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Curlin x War Front x Street Cry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The mother to 5-year-old Equine Etiquette is War Etiquette, who is a G1 winner, an Eclipse winner and a member of the Hall of Fame. She has bred five horses, with three becoming G1 winners, one winning at the listed stake level and the remaining one being a 2-year-old who has only raced twice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Equine Etiquette<\/a> took a two month winter break and upon returning the raceway, he kicked things off in an allowance race which he won easily by more than two lengths and a 116 speed. After that refreshener, he ran in the G1 California Handicap where he started slowing, running 9th<\/sup> in the full field, and made a move in the second half of the race. It wasn\u2019t enough as he could only make it to the fifth spot, losing by over four lengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Equine Etiquette took another two months break and returned to compete in the G2 West Coaster. He took it easy in the first half of the race, running 10th<\/sup> out of 11 and fell over eleven strides back at the half. He started to chip away at this gap and knocked it down a few to nearly 8 back at the third call. He had a solid stretch run and nearly got the top spot, but missed by a quarter stride with a 115 speed Equine Etiquette returned to the G1 level in the Movieland Shiny Cup and took his normal spot on the back side of the field, running 13th<\/sup> out of 14. After the halfway point, he chipped away and cut his dozen length deficit in half. Running hard in the stretch, he advanced further, but ran out of track as he finished second once again, with a very nice 118 speed. Beating him out was Outback Cardinal, but Equine Etiquette did finish ahead of Mandalore (3rd<\/sup>), Thewayof The Force (4th<\/sup>) and Exceleratsu (7th<\/sup>) who are all entered into the Classic race field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his last start, the G1 Western Ocean CA Classic, he ran his typical race starting off slow and moving late but did not make up enough ground as he finished sixth with a 113 speed. The Pornstar Way, Thebridegroomretur and TheWayof The Force finished in the top three and will be his competitors in the Classic. Equine Etiquette has been competitive this year but comes off an outing that could have been better. He finished third in last years running of the Breeders\u2019 Bowl Classic, and looks to improve upon that. He has the opportunity to do so if he can bounce back from his last outing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. 51\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n LONGING FOR CHANGE (owned by Tenpoint)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 5-1-0-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Medaglia D\u2019Oro x Seattle Slew x Kingmambo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The front running Longing for Change is a young three-year-old and is a scratchbred colt. At the end of 2021, he concluded the season appearing in three stake races (two were G1 events) where he was off the board in one race and finished second and third in the other two. The race that he was off the board in was the Breeders\u2019 Bowl Juvenile and he couldn\u2019t get to the front and faded off to 10th<\/sup> at the end of the race. He\u2019s making a return appearance in hopes to get a Breeders\u2019 Bowl win in this year\u2019s Classic race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 started off very nicely as Longing for Change raced in the VT is 4 Lovers (G1) and he easily got to the front and wired the field with a promising 110 speed and beat second place finisher Grizzlehide (also entered in this Classic race) by two and a quarter strides. The victory helped him earn enough points to enter into the Bluegrass Derby but Longing for Change was never a factor, never got near the lead and just disappeared to the back, finishing 15th<\/sup> out of 20 and losing to Nightborne, the winner and also Breeders\u2019 Bowl Classic entrant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Clerk of Scales, Longing for Change got off to a very good start, moving straight to the lead, and drawing out to a decent distance early on. He wore a target on his back and the field pointed their arrows at him and as the field came off the final turn, he was swarmed by many runners and would be overtaken and pushed back to finish 7thwith a 109 speed. The prestigious Travelers Stakes would be his next outing and again he motored out to the lead, building a comfy lead before showing signs of tiring through the stretch. He had enough this time to hold onto the second position (with a 114 speed), outrun by Nightborne who beat him by two lengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Longing for Change\u2019s last start was in the G2 South Bend Derby. His start was not his best for this front runner, who broke away in fourth. Unable to get to the lead, he would eventually drift back to a mid-field 7th<\/sup> place finish. Longing for Change has an established race history of his best outcomes being delivered when he takes command of the early lead and finish in-the-money. In races where he does not get the lead, he has failed to deliver. The key to his success in this race will be seen quickly when the gate doors open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. 14\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n EXCELERATSU (owned by Given)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 6-3-1-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Exceed and Excel x Awesome Again x Seeking the Gold<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Exceleratsu has had success on both the turf and grass winning 5 of 12 on the grass and 3 of 6 on the soil. He is four years old and is the son of G1 winning mare Amaterasu and is the only child out of 8 that has won a graded race. Exceleratsu<\/a> started the 2020 year on the turf and this established pace setter took off and never looked back, winning an allowance race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He then was asked to run on the dirt for the second time in his career and ran in a listed stake race. He quickly galloped out to the lead and never looked back, winning by three and a 116 speed that bested all of his turf races. Exceleratsu moved into the G2 Sure Thang and had no problem taking the lead. He drew off to a 5 length advantage at the half and added another stride to his lead by the third call. From here, he coasted through the stretch and won by 2 and a half strides, outrunning Outback Cardinal who finished second and has entered this Breeders\u2019 Bowl race. Exceleratsu nailed an amazing speed rating of 122 and further solidified his dirt ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In May, Exceleratsu ventured into the G1 California Synthetic Championship. Immediately, he went to the lead unchallenged but was unable to wire the field, beaten by a little more than a length and finishing third. He returned to the dirt in the G1 Movieland Shiny Cup and got engaged in a fight for the top spot. The fight would eventually take its toll as he would finish 7th<\/sup>, well behind Outback Cardinal who took the win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The G1 Bob Woodward Memorial is Exceleratsu most recent start and he would once again get into an early fight for the lead. This time, Casual Blue (also a Breeders\u2019 Classic entrant) would challenge him. They fought all the way from the chute to the wire but Casual Blue would eventually take a small lead and build upon it, winning by only a stride with Exceleratsu finishing second (118 speed). Exceleratsu has early speed ability that does last the duration of the race and he has an honest shot in this race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. 24\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n JAMISON AGAIN (owned by James34)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 7-0-1-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Ghostzapper x Lemon Drop Kid x Seattle Slew<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year, Jamison Again finished second in the Breeders\u2019 Bowl Classic and was beat by Thewayof The Force who will be competing in this race again this year. Despite winning over $5 million in his career, the scratchbred five-year-old Jamison Again has struggled throughout the 2022. He started the year in the G3 Khartoum Challenge III, a race he finished second in during 2021. Well that did not change, as he would finish second again with a 121 speed, a tough speed figure to leave the track without the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jamison Again followed that nice outcome with a revisit to the Sand Castle Classic (G1), a race he finished 6th<\/sup> in last season. The race would turn awful on him as he was never a threat and finishing 19th<\/sup> out of 20 was a horrible outcome. Jamison would move from this race to the G1 Charles Town Classic and although he would run a triple digit 110 speed, he finished the race in a mid-field 8th<\/sup> place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outcomes would not improve. In the G2 Cornhusker Handicap, Jamison Again would run a flat tenth through the entire race and disappoint connections as well as those waging on him. In July, he dropped a level to the listed stake class, trying to make a turnaround. It would not come as he would start the race in the 10th<\/sup> spot and fade back to 12th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In October, Jamison Again dropped another notch in class to the Allowance group, and ran in a pair of races, finishing fourth and most recently third, with his speeds following and dropping to 99 in his last start. Jamison Again seems to have lost his stride. He won fours grade races last season and has been unable to make it to the top spot this year. It\u2019s hard to see the horse make a quick turnaround to the form he enjoyed last year, which is what he will need to do to take the Classic race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. 12\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n SEATTLE WAR FRONT (owned by Stockswami)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 4-2-0-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: War Front x Seeking the Gold x Seattle Slew<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seattle War Front<\/a>, a 6-year-old horse and winner of nearly $6 million is making a return trip to the Breeders\u2019 Bowl Classic. Last year, he entered as the third betting choice and ran roughly 4-strides off the lead until the third call where he lost ground and finished sixth, losing to Thewayof The Force who is returning this year to defend his championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 started off promising for Seattle War Front as he engaged in a battle on the front end of the G1 The Gleen Kegasus Tradition Killer. He was relentless and just after the half-way point, he was able to take control of the lead and won the race with a beautiful 120 speed and a length and a half margin of victory. In that race, Lemon Drop Ghost was closing late, finished third, and will also compete in the Bowl Classic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seattle War Front\u2019s next race was in March in the big $6 million Sand Castle Classic. Seattle would again duke it out on the front end and would eventually bully his way to the lead, taking a near 4-stride lead around the final turn. He galloped to the line, easing up a bit as he secured the win by well over a length, holding off Mandalore who was second and also a Bowl Classic entrant. The 118 speed was top notch and brought him to the G1 Barry Foster. This time, Seattle did not engage in a fight for the front of the field but relaxed back into 6th<\/sup>. As the field pushed past the half, he was asked to run, but resisted and maintained his 6th<\/sup> spot positioning right to the line, losing by more than 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, things did not improve for Seattle War Front in the G1 Bob Woodward Memorial as this time he would drop to the back quarter of the field early on and would be able to make up a few strides to eventually finish 6th<\/sup>, losing to the winning Casual Blue and behind Exceleratsu (2nd<\/sup>) who are both entered into this field. Seattle War Front was on fire when the season started but things have cooled off considerably. His form is in question and his chances to get the Breeders\u2019 Classic win that evaded him last year look to be in jeopardy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. 43\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n GRIZZLEHIDE (owned by Lenny271)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 6-1-2-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Ghostzapper x Medaglia D\u2019Oro x Dixieland Band<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Grizzlehead is a young three-year-old that is one of three children out of stake winning mother Lope D\u2019Oro. Grizzlehide took a winter recess and started racing in February of this season kicking things off in the VT is 4 Lovers G1 race. He likes to run on the front end of the field and sat in a stalking position early on, and for the most part, stayed about two back from the front runner. And that\u2019s where he finished too, a little more than two lengths back and in second place. This finish got him an entry into the All Saints Derby, a race where he secure a free pass into the Bluegrass Derby. Grizzlehide, this time, opted to go to the lead and steadily grew a four-length lead as the field turned into the stretch. From here, he put things into cruise control and secured the win by over a stride, and his first grade level win with a 109 speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the free pass into the Bluegrass Derby secured, he would head directly into that race and position in the fifth spot in the huge 20-horse field. Unfortunately, he had nothing to offer and finished 9th<\/sup>, a good 11 behind Nightborne (who is also in this Breeders\u2019 race). Not deterred by the outcome, Grizzlehide would run in the Middle Jewel and have a better outcome, taking a third place finish and not wavering much from the position he held for most of the race. He finished third, this time ahead of Derby winning Nightborne who was a well-back 10th<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Eddie Haskell was his next stop and Grizzlehide would be caught in a three-horse battle royale for the lead. The threesome would go head-to-head right up the halfway point when Grizzlehead finally broke away and took the lead. He galloped off to a two-stride lead but he would get caught late in the stretch and was beaten by less than a length, finishing second. Despite finishing second, he did hit his career best speed of 119.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, his last start was a disappointment. In the G2 Bettis Handicap, Grizzlehide sat two off the leader early on, stalking the front runner. But when asked to run, there was no response and stronger horses would overtake Grizzlehide who finished ninth. Grizzlehide will be facing older horses for the first time and will need an effort like he had in the Eddie Haskell to take down this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. 8\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n OUTBACK CARDINAL (owned by VYZ)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 6-2-3-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Giant\u2019s Causeway x Kingmambo x Tapit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At 6-years-old, Outback Cardinal is one of the oldest horses in the race. The scratchbred horse has raced exclusively in grade level races all season. His racing style will generally have him positioned in the middle of the field or in the back third. His first start this season was in the G2 Toilet Scrubbers Anonymous Handicap, a race in which he parked himself in 7th<\/sup> early on. He waited quite a while to move forward but the results were fine as he finished second with a 115 speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This start was followed with a shot in the G1 California Handicap, but Outback Cardinal would run flat, finishing 7th<\/sup> and never a serious threat. That changed in the G2 Sure Thang where Outback made a monster move after passing the third call and 11-lengths off the lead as he popped out his cardinal bird wings and flew to the wire, finishing second and a bit over 2-strides off the winner and posting a solid 120 speed. Outback Cardinal would replicate that same 120 speed in his next outing in the G3 Peach State Classic where this time he had better results and made it to the front of the field and become a winner of his first grade level race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another grade level victory would be captured as Outback Cardinal was entered into the G1 Movieland Shiny Cup. Outback found himself running back in 10th<\/sup> place by the half, almost 10 strides off the leader. He easily chipped away at this deficit and was a much closer three-strides behind going to the \u00be-pole. He stayed on his mission and bullied his way to the lead and ran away to win by more than two lengths, and a 121 speed while leaving behind him Equine Etiquette (2nd<\/sup>), Mandalore (3rd<\/sup>), Thewayof The Force (4th<\/sup>) and Exceleratsu (7th<\/sup>), all of which are also entered in the Classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outback Cardinal entered into the Jockey Guild Gold Cup (G1), seeking three-in-a-row graded wins, but his late run would not be enough as he was 10 back at the third call and he closed hard, but finished two lengths short, beat by Thebridgegroomretur who he will face again in the Classic. His speed of 120 in this race made it a rare four races in a row that he Outback eclipsed the 120-speeds. Outback has beat several of his foes before and as long as the streak of 120-speeds has not worn him out, he has a shot of taking the Classic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. 28\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n OMAHA AT DAWN (owned by Baggio)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record 6-1-1-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Omaha Beach x Seattle Slew x Pleasant Colony<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Omaha at Dawn is a four-year-old scratchbred that has had mixed results in 2022 in allowance and stake races. The year started in February where this front runner battled in an allowance race trying to get t he lead. The battle wore him down and he eventually faded back to finish 7th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He took on a listed stake field a month later racing on a wet surface. Omaha at Dawn was unable to get to the top spot and raced a further back fourth during the first half of the race but had nothing left in the fuel tank and collapsed to ninth. Moving back to the allowance level in Apirl, Omaha was able to bolt out of the gate and take the early lead and held the top spot for most of the race but was run down in the stretch and finished fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly two months later, another allowance try came Omaha at Dawn\u2019s way and he broke from the gate sharply. He ran a solid race but did get caught in the final furlong but managed to finish second with a 113 speed. This very good speed earned him a promotion as he jumped way up into the Washington Drive G3 race. He took out to the lead but could not break away from a horse that pressured him and that took it\u2019s toll as Omaha would fade well back in the final quarter to finish tenth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not deterred by that outcome, Omaha at Dawn moved into the G2 Bluegrass Cup Classic, his most recent race. He got challenged early but broke away from the challenger by the half. By the three-quarter pole, he grew a lead of over three strides. Unlike his previous starts this season, he had stamina that carried him to the wire and Omaha at Dawn claimed his first grade level victory with a 116 speed. Omaha will be racing with G1 company for the first time and will encounter a handful of horses that love the top position. He\u2019s going to have to fight extra hard to get the spot and have the ability to survive the 10-furlong distance, which will be his longest distance to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12. 9\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n THEWAYOF THE FORCE (owned by Lenny271)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 6-1-0-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Pioneerof The Nile x Danzig x Kingmambo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thewayof The Force is the 2021 Breeders\u2019 Bowl Classic returning champion and the 2021 Horse of the Year. He is a five-year-old scratch bred and has won an amazing $13 million over his career. Following a 2021 season where he won five graded races and was in second once over six starts, the current 2022 season has not been so kind. He started the year off in fine form, winning the February running of the 2022 Equinics by nearly two -lengths after moving from the eight spot to get there with a 117 speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After that win, Thewayof The Force returned to the G1 Sand Castle Classic, a race he won in 2021 but things went sour as he ran 14th<\/sup> out of 20 early on and failed to make up any ground, passing a handful of tiring horses to finish 9th<\/sup> with a 109 speed, which is his slowest speed since July, 2020. In 2021 he also won the Movieland Shiny Cup and would look to defend his championship in the 2022 running of the event, but the try would turn to be unsuccessful as he finished fourth (with a 117 speed) behind Outback Cardinal (winner), Equine Etiquette (2nd<\/sup>) and Mandalore (3rd<\/sup>). He will meet these three again in this Breeders\u2019 Classic race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next outing was a shot to get a win in the Western Ocean CA Classic. In 2021, he was denied the win, finishing second and was hopeful to make amends. Thewayof The Force did find a bit of improvement as he ran a 119 speed (improved from 116 the prior year) but this time finished third behind winner The Pornstar Way and second place finisher Thebridegroomretur, both of which have been entered into the Classic race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2022 race season has been replicating Thewayof The Force\u2019s 2021 season, as he has raced in the same G1 races. His last start was in the Jockey Guild Gold Cup, one that he won last year. This time, he would finish fourth with a 112 speed and a good 10 behind winning Thebridegroomretur, Outback Cardinal (2nd<\/sup>) and Otto Belmont (3rd<\/sup>). On paper, it looks like Thewayof The Force may have lost an edge. He will be facing many horses that have beat him this season. Still, he\u2019s able to fire off decent speeds and has been relatively close to those who have finished ahead of him. Don\u2019t be surprised if The Force rebounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13. 17\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CASUAL BLUE (owned by Given)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 6-5-0-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Archipenko x Galileo x Lyphard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Casual Blue is a four-year-old and is the only child out of sire Archipenko that has won a G1 race. He is one of two children out of mare Casual Consent who was an allowance winner in her racing days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Casual Blue has had a very good 2022 season thus far with the speed numbers flying upward throughout the season. His first three starts were all in the allowance level and he was able to wire the competition in each outing with speeds in the 107 to 112 range. Two of those victories were by small margins with one by about \u00be-stride and the other a photo finish win by a head. A win is a win and this guy was ready to move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He left allowance competition in June and entered into his first stake race in a listed event. Casual Blue<\/p>\n\n\n\n Took off for the lead and was not challenged. He led the field by almost four lengths as the field circled around the final turn. Alas, he would be lassoed in by a pair of late runners, finishing third, and with a very nice 116 speed. Off this race, he tried again to secure a stake win in another listed race in July. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After an early fight to take the lead, he would win the battle and drew away from the field to win by two lengths and his career best speed of 120.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The G1 Bob Woodward Memorial was Casual Blue\u2019s first grade level race and his most recent start. He took battle with Exceleratsu (also entered in this Breeders\u2019 race) and the two of them fought hard, trying to outdo the other for the lead. Casual Blue would not only win this battle, but would cross the line in first with a 119 speed with Exceleratsu only a stride back in second. Casual Blue is in very good shape and looks to be in peak form at the right time, making him a threat to win the Classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14. 12\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n OTTO BELMONT (owned by Kaner)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 5-2-0-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Medaglia D\u2019Oro x Tiznow x Mr. Prospector<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Otto Belmont is the son of game mare Umerez who was a G2 winner during her career. She has six children, two have won races at the G2 level with another being a listed stake winner. Otto Belmont, who is a front running five-year-old, took on the 2022 season aggressively as he took off for the lead in a January listed stake event, secured the spot and never looked back to win by a controlling two and a half length margin and a 118 speed, his best at that point of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He jumped into the February running of the G2 Jai Alai Park Handicap and replicated the same outcome with a two length winning gap and a 115 speed. This was Otto Belmont\u2019s first grade level win and he stepped up into the G1 Sand Castle Classic. His front running speed was not evident this time and he ran off the lead for the race, finishing sixth in the huge 20 field race, and finishing 6th<\/sup> and nearly 6 lengths behind Seattle War Front (winner) and Madalore who was second. Both of these runners are entered in the Classic race. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Otto Belmont returned to the listed stake level and ran near the lead early in the May race, but several others passed by him and he concluded the event in seventh with a 111 speed. After the nice start to the season, his speeds had been dropping and Otto was sidelined for four months. He made his return in the G1 Jockey Guild Gold Cup and engaged in an early battle for the lead with Thebridegroomretur (a Breeders\u2019 Classic entrant) but after a strong fought battle, Thebridegroomretur would take the lead and eventually win the race. Otto put in a fine effort, finishing third and 2-1\/2 strides behind the winner with Outback Cardinal finishing just ahead in second and Thewayof the Force just behind him in fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Otto Belmont boasted a 120 speed in the Jockey Guild, a solid improvement from his prior two starts where he was off the board and speeds heading southward. The rest break looks to have worked and his second start off the break could be even better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15. 10\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n JOSEPH THE PIONEER (owned by Doodlegbs)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 7-2-3-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Pionnerof The Nile x Unbridled x Ghostzapper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This entrant is a five-year-old scratchebred horse who will often be seen in the rear of the field at the start of the race, but once in a while, he will take a mid-field slot in the early fractions. Such was the case in the January running of the G3 Willing and Able Stakes. In the 14-horse field, Joseph the Pioneer took the sixth seat, held it to the half and made up a ton of ground in the final quarter to finish second, missing the top spot by 1-1\/4 lengths and a very hot 119 speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He followed this up by dropping to the backside of the G2 Spurs Handicap and made a lukewarm move late in the race, but could only advance to the 10th<\/sup> spot. After this poor outing, Joseph the Pioneer was put into an allowance race where he went for a mid-field position, go it, and made a nice late move to get second, missing by a quarter stride and with a very nice triple digit speed of 115.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After getting his confidence back from the allowance outing, Joseph the Pioneer was back to the graded competition in the G3 Mohammed Ali Stakes. He ran on the back side of the field for the first half and worked his way to fifth at the three quarter pole, but still 10 behind the leader. He dug in and powered himself to the lead and drew away from the field, winning by over three lengths and once again hit a 119 speed. In May, he ventured into the G1 Barry Foster and put in a masterful effort, leaving the gate in 10th<\/sup>, advancing nicely to 4th<\/sup> by the \u00be-pole and charging to the line to be the winner by a stride and a strong 117 speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the G1 Hit Me Handicap, Joseph the Pioneer made a valiant move in the final quarter to slash his deficit from the front from 10 strides down to over 3 lengths but only mustered a fifth place finish. His most recent start was on a sloppy track in the G1 GoodyGood. It\u2019s the only time he has competed on a wet surface and he put a nice effort. He left the gate as the trailer, some 15 strides behind by the midpoint. He sliced this down a smidge to 11 at the third call and came on hard in the stretch, missing by 2 and charting a 118 speed. Joseph the Pioneer has only raced 10-furlongs once in his career and that came as a maiden. He\u2019s being going 9-furlongs for a long time and he shouldn\u2019t have an issue adding that extra flank, in fact, it may turn out to be the winning recipe for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 16. 11\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n MANDALORE (owned by Canyongait)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 4-1-1-1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: <\/strong>Union Rags x Carson City x Secretariat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mandalore is a scratchbred five-year-old and makes his way into the Breeders\u2019 Classic race with only four starts this season. His first outing occurred back in February where he ran in the G2 Khartoum Challenge III. Mandalore was sent into the starting gate as the 9\/2 favorite and he would find himself in the fifth spot in the early stages of the 10-furlong race. He was a good 10-lengths off the lead at the half, something he could handle\u2026.and he did. He chipped away at this deficit and made his way forward. Running in the stretch, he cranked things up to a higher gear and strutted to the lead. He would draw off to win by two lengths and netting a 123 career best speed in the process. And this came after a three-month break between starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next start came a little more than a month later and Mandalore was entered into the G1 Sand Castel Classic. This time, he was the third betting choice at 8\/1 and would leave the gate in a mid-field ninth position, a field that had 20 runners entered. Despite being 9th<\/sup>, he was a much closer four strides off the leader at the half. He would hold this gap and pass tiring horses rounding the turn and start pursing the top spot in the stretch. He would get within 2-strides of winner Seattle War Front and chart a 116 speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mandalore would have another long 3-month rest when he next appeared in July in the G1 Movieland Shiny Cup. This time, he would drop to the back quarter of the field during the first half of the race before starting his charge. He moved from 9 back at the half to 4 off the lead at the third call. But gaining ground from here stalled out as he did move up position wise to finish third, but only chipped off one more stride, finishing behind winning Outback Cardinal and Equine Etiquette (2nd<\/sup>) but just ahead of Thewayof the Force (4th<\/sup>), competitors that are entered in the Breeders\u2019 Classic race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After hitting a speed of 118 in the Movieland race, the speed figure would descend to 108 in his most recent start, which was a listed stake race in mid-September. He finished fourth in the race and it could be possible that he used this race more as a workout prep for the Breeders\u2019 race. A conditioning race to be in best of form for the big race. If that theory is correct, he will be a threat in this race. If it turns out he just choked in the listed start, he may be in trouble in this outing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OWNERS COMMENTARY: I wouldn\u2019t mind seeing Mandalore and Thewayof The Force finish 1-2 for a nice Star Wars exacta. He was a fairly inexpensive scratch bred and I believe the first horse I have run in the Classic. He\u2019s never won a GI and, by looking at his prep, my expectations are not high but hopeful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 17. 13\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n LEMON DROP GHOST (owned by Stockswami)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 4-1-0-1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Ghostzapper x Lemon Drop Kid x Seattle Slew<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the older horses in the race, at age 6, Lemon Drop Ghost <\/a>is a he-mare bred out of G2 winning Seattlelemondrop. He is lightly this raced in 2022 and wrapped up 2021 with his career best speed of 120 in the G3 Mr. Hooper Handicap which he won in the final stride by a head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Off of that win, Lemon Drop Ghost kicked off his 2022 campaign in his first G1 effort, the Glenn Kegasus Tradition Killer. He likes the mid-field spot early on, and took to that spot for the first half of the race. He was about two strides off the lead, and pretty much held that position throughout the race and finished third with a 118 speed, losing to Seattle War Front but ahead of fourth place finisher Battle Wreckage, both of whom are entered into the Breeders\u2019 Classic race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The G1 Charles Town Classic would be the next challenge for Lemon Drop Ghost as he would be racing against Battle Wreckage once again. A flat run would come out of Lemon as he finished a disappointing 7th<\/sup>, well behind Battle Wreckage who ended up second and this time ahead of Lemon. Luck would not be with Lemon Drop Ghost in the next outing, the G2 Gotta Fix the Sprinklers Classic where he put in another regretful outing finishing 6th<\/sup>, and well behind Thebridgegroomretur who was second and entered to run in the Classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After two poor outings, things turned around for Lemon Drop Ghost in the G2 Hoffa Cup, his most recent race. He again ran the mid-field position he\u2019 most comfortable with and moved smoothly from there and hit the line for a photo finish. His nose would turn out to be on the line first, gaining him the win with a 118 speed. This turn of events may have occurred at the right time and the win could be indicative of bigger things coming his way in the very near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18. 54\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CREATOR\u2019S CHOICE (owned by Checkmate14)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 6-2-0-2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Creator x Redoute\u2019s Choice x Diesis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fade Knocker who earned one stake win over her career has mothered four children with Creator\u2019s Choice the only one to win a stake race. Creator\u2019s Choice is a three year old who moved into stake competition at the start of 2022 in the Minnie Minoso Derby (G2). He got off to a slow start, drifting to the backside of the field in the early stages and made a fine move late in the race to finish third, a bit more than two strides behind Nightborne who won the race and is also running in this Breeders\u2019 race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After this race, Creator relocated into a listed stake race where he ran a mid-field position this time in the start of the race to rally nicely and collect his first stakes win. The late closing runner sought a spot in the Bluegrass and was able to secure it as he put in a splendid run in the Derby Lock Wooden Indian (G1) race. He easily rallied in the stretch and pulled away from the field taking the victory by two-lengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the free pass secured, Creator\u2019s Choice popped into the Bluegrass Derby and ran 16th<\/sup> out of 20 throughout the first half of the race. He drifted 11 back from the leader by the half and made a move to thrust forward. The thrust was mediocre and he would only advance a few strides and spots finishing fifth and more than 7-lengths behind Nightborne, who would beat him once again. Creator would make a small improvement in the G1 Clerk of Scales Stakes where he finished fourth and a bit under 3-lengths off the winner, but notched his career best speed of 113.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leading into the Breeders\u2019 Classic race, Creator\u2019s Choice ran in the Travelers Stakes and would again square off against Nightborne. Nightborne would own the race and win it convincingly leaving the late runner Creator\u2019s Choice to finish third and this time 6 strides behind in his dust and a 110 speed. The big Breeders\u2019 Bowl Cup will be a challenge to Creator. He\u2019ll have to figure out a way to finally beat Nightborne and will be facing older horses for the first time, some that are capable of better speeds than he has produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 19. 10\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n THEBRIDEGROOMRETUR (owned by Willyam13)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 Record: 8-5-2-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedigree: Candy Ride x Sunday Silence x Blushing Groom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thebridegroomretur is a 5-year-old scratchbred horse that is a late bloomer. It wasn\u2019t until this year that he competed in the upper levels of racing and he accelerated through several classes during the year starting with the allowance group where he won his first pair of starts in the season easily with speeds of 109 and 116. This horse is a front runner and after notching the 116 speed, and winning by almost 5 strides, he leaped into a pair of listed stakes with the first being a win where he took a 4-stride lead through the stretch that quickly evaporated but he held on by a head. In April, he had a much better margin at the line, winning by just under three-lengths. In these races, speeds of 118 and 116 were recorded and Thebridgegroomretur fired off a quick four race win streak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In May, he was pointed into the G3 Peach State Classic. He was challenged early and struggled to hold the lead. Heading through the stretch, he wore down and crossed the line in fifth, ending his win streak and finished 7-lengths behind the winner, Outback Cardinal, who Thebridegroomretur will square off against in this Breeders\u2019 Bowl race. After this race came the G2 Gotta Fix the Sprinklers Classic and although he did not win, he was able to finish second with a very sharp 119 speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Thebridgegroomretur took his front run speed into the G1 Western Ocean CA Classic. Early on, The Pornstar Way would go head-to-head with Thebridgegroomretur<\/a> but eventually The Pornstar Way would breakaway and run off with the win. The Thebridgegroomretur held on to second, just holding off Thewayof The Force who was closing on him and finished third. The 119 speed recorded was once again excellent and this five year old continues to be competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His last start was in the Jockey Guild Gold Cup (G1) and would be engaged in an early battle for the lead with Otto Belmont. Eventually, Thebridgegroomretur would take over the lead past the half and trump the field by two strides, taking his first grade level win with a 122 speed. Outback Cardinal would close hard for second with Otto Belmont settling for the third spot and further back was Thewayof the Force in fourth. Thebridgegroomretur has found a second life as a five-year-old, winning five of his career 8 wins at this age. He is in terrific shape, has competed well against others also in this field and winning the Bowl Classic race is a real possibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 20. 14\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n THE PORNSTAR WAY (owned by Qwikvett)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n