Best Exotics Race for 2022 Breeders' Cup Saturday

Creative Force preparing for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Photo by Coady Photography)

November 4th, 2022

The racing extravaganza known as the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships is finally upon us. Two days of action featuring many of the best horses in the world will take place at Keeneland Race Course this weekend for what promises to be a memorable event.

I scoured over the cards in search of finding the contest that might offer the biggest return, and I continually came back to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Saturday. With a few live longshots in the cast, the grassy dash figures to yield healthy mutuels for sure. My plan of attack is to base my plays around a pair of Godolphin color bearers, both of which are trained by expert horseman Charlie Appleby.

#1 Creative Force (10-1) will need some luck while breaking from the rail in the big field, but I have confidence that regular pilot William Buick will navigate a smooth trip aboard the four-year-old son of Dubawi. A winner of the Champions Sprint S. (G1) at Royal Ascot to conclude his fine three-year-old campaign, the gelding is winless this season but has run well while facing the top dashers in Europe in 2022.

The Irish-bred chestnut just missed in a fine Platinum Jubilee S. (G1) performance three back, prior to registering two nice runs in advance of Saturday. He has the gate speed to not be left behind in the heat, and I like his chances to be well placed for the stretch run in his Keeneland debut at a nice price.

#9 Naval Crown (30-1), also by Dubawi, is a must bet if he goes off at anything close to his morning-line number. The bay colt captured the Jubilee (G1) in his 2022 debut which preceded a fine runner-up try in the July Cup (G1) at Newmarket in his second outing as a four-year-old. His current form is not stellar, but Appleby wouldn’t have the classy bay in the race unless he thought that he was ready to deliver his best effort. James Doyle being in the silks adds to his appeal.

I will also include the brilliant #8 Golden Pal (2-1), who needs no introduction as a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner for Wesley Ward. The son of Uncle Mo is four-for-four at Keeneland and rates as the one to catch and beat with Irad Ortiz in the silks.

Breeders' Cup Profile: Golden Pal

Will Golden Pal be victorious in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for the second year in a row? Tune in on November 5th to find out! pic.twitter.com/NzNAQcNeuR
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) October 26, 2022

The 5 1/2-furlong distance might be a bit short for Bill Mott’s multiple Grade 1 winner #11 Casa Creed (6-1), but the son of Jimmy Creed still remains a very logical exotics player from off the pace, nonetheless. The bay has never hit the board from three prior tries on the surface, which is a concern, but omitting the stout late runner seems foolish in a race that will produce scorching early splits.

Ward’s #7 Arrest Me Red (15-1) is another horse with excellent value in the deep field. The Pioneerof the Nile colt has certainly found his niche as a high-level sprinter on the lawn, and his class and consistency makes him an exotics must-use in my opinion.