2022 Breeders' Cup Classic Tips - Take Flightline on with Epic alternative

Flightline has been incredibly impressive since making his debut last April. John Sadler's star is the highest-rated racehorse on the planet and comparisons were drawn with many of thoroughbred racing's greats following his incredible victory in the Pacific Classic.

I have no interest in backing the favourite on Saturday. A price of 2/5 does nothing for me. Plus, the only noteworthy horse that Flightline has beaten is Country Grammer - who may have won the Dubai World Cup last March, but he's been beaten as the favourite in extremely winnable races either side of that 20-length defeat to Flightline at Del Mar.

Life Is Good and Taiba are clearly very talented, but stretching out to ten furlongs is a worry for both. The same can be said for Hot Rod Charlie, who was well-beaten behind Knicks Go over this distance in last year's Classic.

The horse with the best chance of actually beating Flightline is EPICENTER, who'll be getting four pounds from the favourite at the weights.

Steve Asmussen's charge has established himself as the best three-year-old dirt runner in America during 2022. Epicenter won the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby prior to his runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby. After another second behind Early Voting in the Preakness, Joel Rosario's mount comfortably won the Jim Dandy and was last seen thrashing Cyberknife and Zandon in the Travers Stakes over this trip at Saratoga.

Epicenter had excuses in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Rosario's mount was held up just behind an unsustainably fast pace at Churchill Downs and hit the front a little too soon, which softened him up for Rich Strike - who's done nothing since - to come through late and claim a shock Derby win. Asmussen's charge was then held up in the Preakness and given far too much to do as Early Voting dictated the pace.

That six-length victory in the Travers Stakes was outstanding. Asmussen couldn't have asked for a better springboard into the Breeders' Cup and 13/2 about a horse as talented at Epicenter seems like good value to me.