Great Meadow: How to bet the International Gold Cup

The historic International Gold Cup Timber S. at Great Meadow dates back to 1930. A 3 1/2-mile journey over timber fences, it’s a formidable test of speed, stamina, and jumping prowess.

Five horses have turned out for the 2022 International Gold Cup, the highlight of a stakes-packed Saturday afternoon at Great Meadow. Any analysis must begin with the 12-year-old veteran #2 Andi’amu (3-5), who has long displayed an affinity for racing over timbers at Great Meadow.

Indeed, Andi’amu won the three-mile Steeplethon S. by five lengths in 2018, nabbed the four-mile Virginia Gold Cup in both 2019 and 2022, and finished a game second in the 2019 International Gold Cup. Andi’amu was particularly impressive in the 2022 Virginia Gold Cup, dominating by 23 lengths, and he showcased his continued strong form when dominating the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup Timber S. on Oct. 8 at Genesee Valley by 12 3/4 lengths, completing the 3 1/2-mile journey in course-record time.

Any way you slice it, Andi’amu is shaping up as the horse to beat in the International Gold Cup. It helps that Andi’amu is conditioned by Leslie Young, the leading trainer by wins in 2022, per the National Steeplechase Association trainer rankings.

#1 Cracker Factory (2-1) is another logical contender. The improving seven-year-old has really come to hand during the last month, securing his first victory over timbers racing 3 1/8 miles at Shawan Downs before rallying boldly to win the 3 1/4-mile National Sporting Library and Museum Cup S. at Glenwood Park at Middleburg by half a length. Cracker Factory is shaping up as a formidable contender from off the pace.

#3 Flaming Sword (6-1) has finished third in the last two editions of the Virginia Gold Cup, and his proven ability to compete over this challenging course is appealing. He failed to fire his best shot in the National Sporting Library and Museum Cup two weeks ago, finishing fifth by a wide margin, but returning to Great Meadow may trigger a turnaround. Jockey Barry Foley won the 2020 International Gold Cup aboard Curve of Stones.

#4 Master Seville (8-1) is gradually climbing the class ladder and enters off a comfortable allowance victory racing three miles over timbers at Genesee Valley. The youngest runner in the International Gold Cup field at six years old, Master Seville still has upside for improvement.

The final competitor is #5 Withoutmoreado (10-1), who chased home Master Seville to finish second by 1 3/4 lengths in the Genesee Valley allowance. Previously second by 16 lengths against Andi’amu in the 3 1/2-mile Buttonwood/Sycamore Farm Willowdale Steeplechase S., Withoutmoreado is consistent and has at least a small shot to crack the top three.

Thanks to the International Gold Cup $10 Bet Back promotion offered by TwinSpires, we can place a $10 win bet on Andi’amu and receive a refund if he settles for second place. But since a $10 win bet is unlikely to pay much, we’ll also key Andi’amu on top of a cold $20 exacta using Cracker Factory for second place.

• $10 to win on #2 Andi’amu
• $20 Exacta: 2 with 1
  Total: $30

Good luck!

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