Breeders' Cup Classic Future Wager: Flightline installed as 3-1 favorite in Pool 1

Pool 1 of the new Breeders’ Cup Classic Future Wager (BCCFW) opens at noon (ET) Friday, with unbeaten Metropolitan H. (G1) star Flightline installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. A win-only bet with a $2 minimum, the Future Wager features 23 individual betting interests as well as an “All Others” mutuel field listed at 30-1. BCCFW Pool 1 runs through Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (ET).

Saturday’s Whitney (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Classic, will have a significant bearing on the market, as four individual interests in the Future Wager are entered at Saratoga — Life Is Good, Olympiad, Hot Rod Charlie, and Americanrevolution. Multiple Grade 1 winner Life Is Good, hero of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), ranks as the 7-2 second choice on the BCCFW, and the streaking Olympiad is third at 9-2. Grade 1 veterans Hot Rod Charlie and Americanrevolution are both 20-1.

Flightline has yet to race two turns, and his first route attempt will come in the Sept. 3 Pacific Classic (G1). That Breeders’ Cup Classic “Win and You’re In” at Del Mar comes right in the midst of Pool 2 of the Breeders’ Cup Classic Future Wager, scheduled over Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2-5). Other individual interests in Pool 1 expected in the Pacific Classic are Dubai World Cup (G1) victor Country Grammer (20-1), most recently runner-up to Royal Ship (30-1) in the San Diego H. (G2); Stilleto Boy (30-1); and reigning Santa Anita H. (G1) winner Express Train (30-1).

Leading three-year-olds figure prominently in Pool 1, including last-out Jim Dandy (G2) hero Epicenter (20-1), who was previously second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) to the shocking Rich Strike (30-1) and in the Preakness (G1) to Early Voting (20-1).

The respective top two from the “Win and You’re In” Haskell (G1), Cyberknife and Taiba, are both 30-1. Dwyer (G3) conqueror Charge It is half that price at 15-1, and star three-year-old filly Nest is a 20-1 chance. Zandon and Tawny Port are available at 30-1, as is last year’s champion juvenile colt Corniche, who is a highly doubtful prospect after being eased home in his Amsterdam (G2) comeback. The sophomore picture will gain greater clarity after the Aug. 27 Travers (G1), the week preceding Pool 2 of the BCCFW.

Last year’s promoted Kentucky Derby winner, Mandaloun (30-1), is still searching for his old form. In contrast, fellow four-year-olds Dynamic One (30-1) and First Captain (20-1) are on the upswing after furnishing a thrilling exacta in the July 9 Suburban (G2).

The lone internationally-based individual interest is Emblem Road (30-1), who stunned the Feb. 26 Saudi Cup (G1) at his home track. Subsequently transferred to trainer Alessandro Botti in France, he finished fifth in the July 20 Grand Prix de Vichy (G3) on turf. Emblem Road was reportedly using that as a stepping stone to a U.S. prep race to be determined.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup will be hosted at Keeneland. Future Stars Friday showcases the two-year-olds on Nov. 4, and the Nov. 5 card is anchored by the 1 1/4-mile Classic.