39th Breeders' Cup Wednesday; So Many Stars at Keeneland

The comprehensive Breakfast at the Breeders’ Cup program, available on FanDuelTV and across social networks for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, has once again been a great tool to become familiar with the horses and horsepeople in the 14 Championship races.

The $6 million Classic and heavy favourite FLIGHTLINE has been the talk of the week as the undefeated colt boasts that gaudy 126 Beyer Speed Figure from his Pacific Classic win. His Classic rivals LIFE IS GOOD, a front runner, OLYMPIAD, EPICENTER and RICH STRIKE have all looked extremely strong at Keeneland racecourse this week.

Woodbine Mile (G1) winner MODERN GAMES is back in North America after slogging his way in his latest over soft turf and he remains feisty and sharp-looking as he tries for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

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The Distaff on Saturday could be a 2-filly race between Todd Pletcher trainees NEST and MALATHAAT.

Dirt Mile contender CYBERKNIFE was kicking up his heels in his gallop Wednesday morning and he is trained by Brad Cox. Cox elected to bypass the Classic with this top 3-year-old colt, cutting him back to one mile on the dirt.

In the Turf, one of Canada’s all time richest horses, Ontario-bred CHANNEL MAKER, is entered to try the 1 1/2 mile race once again. Bred by Ivan Dalos, the 8-year-old gelding was third in the 2020 edition and fifth last year. A champion in Canada and the US and earner of over $3.6 million, Channel Maker is 2-for-5 this year, winning the Elkhorn at Keeneland in April.

Charles Fipke and Roger Attfield won the 2011 Filly & Mare Turf with Perfect Shirl and are hoping to strike again in 2022 with her son SHIRL’S SPEIGHT, a Kentucky-bred Grade 1 winner who loves Keeneland and is in the Mile, and LADY SPEIGHTSPEARE, a relative of Perfect Shirl, who tries the Filly & Mare Turf.

Canadians Cindy and Terence Dulay have photos and info HERE.

Thank you to Breeders’ Cup media for the fabulous photos:

November 01, 2022: Modern Games, trained by Charlie Appleby, exercises in preparation for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile presented by PDJF at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky on November 01, 2022. Evers/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders’ Cup

November 1, 2022: Channel Maker, one of the richest Canadian bred horses ever, trained by William I. Mott, exercises in preparation for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky on November 1, 2022. Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup

November 1, 2022: Lady Speightspeare, trained by Roger L. Attfield, exercises in preparation for the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky on November 1, 2022. Carolyn Simancik/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup

November 01, 2022: Go Bears Go, trained by David Loughnane, exercises in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky on November 01, 2022. Evers/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders’ Cup