Fort Larned is the defending champion in the Breeders' Cup Classic (Photo credit Breeders' Cup Ltd.)
A star-studded group of 162 horses was entered in this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park on November 1-2 including eight runners that hit the winner’s circle in last year’s two-day championship event.
The eight Breeders’ Cup winners from 2012 back this year are Mizdirection, Trinniberg, Beholder, Fort Larned, Groupie Doll, Little Mike, Wise Dan, and Royal Delta, who also won in 2011. In addition, Secret Circle won the Juvenile Sprint in 2011.
Wise Dan parlayed his win in the 2012 $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) into Horse of the Year honors and is back to defend his title. The gelding won nine races in a row before getting upset last out in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) which was taken off the turf due to rain and was contested over the synthetic polytrack.
The gelding is the even money favorite and faces nine foes including the overseas invader Olympic Glory (4-1), who is coming off a victory at Ascot in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1).
Game On Dude is the 8-5 morning line favorite in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and a victory likely will clinch Horse of the Year honors.
The Bob Baffert trainee was in a similar position to take down year-end honors last year but was the beaten favorite in the Classic, checking in a disappointing seventh.
The Classic drew a strong field that includes defending champion Fort Larned (6-1), last year’s runner up Mucho Macho Man (5-1, Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Palace Malice (10-1) and Travers (G1) Will Take Charge (12-1).
Royal Delta will go for her third straight win in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) on Friday and is the 8-5 morning line favorite.
The Distaff drew the smallest field with just six fillies and mares going to the gate, but it is a tough group the defending champion will face.
Her main foe will be Princess Sylmar (9-5) who has won four Grade 1 races this year including beating Royal Delta in the Beldame Invitational (G1) at Belmont Park in her last outing. A win in the Distaff combined with losses by Wise Dan in the Mile and Game On Dude in the Classic could put this filly in the mix for Horse of the Year.
Beholder (5-2) is also in the field and she won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) last year. Close Hatches (6-1) is no slouch, the winner of the Cotillion (G1) and Mother Goose (G1).
Michael Dempsey’s Breeders’ Cup Report $34.95 (Fri-Sat)
Michael’s Breeders’ Cup Report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for every race on the Friday and Saturday card from Santa Anita Park on Nov. 1-2.
The Breeders’ Cup offers 14 championship races over two days, bringing together the best top horses, trainers, and jockeys from around the world, this year to compete at Santa Anita Park.
2013 Breeders’ Cup Television Schedule
All Times Live, ET
Friday, November 1 4-8 p.m. NBCSN
Saturday, November 2 3:30-8 p.m. NBCSN
Saturday, November 2 8-9 p.m. NBC
Breeders’ Cup post positions and morning line odds:
Breeders’ Cup Friday
| Breeders’ Cup Marathon (G1) Post time 1:45 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Old Time Hockey | Jose Lezcano | Thomas F. Proctor | 8-1 |
| 2 | Cease | David Cohen | David Jacobson | 8-1 |
| 3 | Commander | Aaron Gryder | Troy Taylor | 6-1 |
| 4 | Ever Rider | Gary Stevens | Maria Munoz | 7-2 |
| 5 | Suns Out Guns Out | Julien R. Leparoux | Dale L. Romans | 10-1 |
| 6 | Indian Jones | Angel Castillo | Philip T. Aristone | 5-1 |
| 7 | London Bridge | Mike Smith | Jo Hughes | 8-1 |
| 8 | Blueskiesnrainbows | Martin A. Pedroza | Jerry Hollendorfer | 6-1 |
| 9 | Pool Play | Eurico Rosa da Silva | Mark E. Casse | 8-1 |
| 10 | Worldly | David Flores | Brendan P. Walsh | 6-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) Post time 2:25 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | All Cash | Luis Saez | D. Wayne Lukas | 30-1 |
| 2 | Giovanni Boldini | Ryan Moore | Aidan P. O’Brien | 7-2 |
| 3 | Got Shades | Gary Stevens | Danny Pish | 30-1 |
| 4 | Outstrip | Mike Smith | Charlie Appleby | 4-1 |
| 5 | Bobby’s Kitten | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | 5-2 |
| 6 | Home School | Rafael Bejarano | Doug F. O’Neill | 30-1 |
| 7 | Aotearoa | Corey Nakatani | Leonard Powell | 12-1 |
| 8 | Bon Accord | Joel Rosario | Antonio Sano | 20-1 |
| 9 | Wilshire Boulevard | William Buick | Aidan P. O’Brien | 8-1 |
| 10 | Ontology | Mario Gutierrez | Simon Callaghan | 30-1 |
| 11 | Poker Player | Channing Hill | Wayne M. Catalano | 12-1 |
| 12 | Shamshon | Richard Hughes | Richard Hannon | 12-1 |
| 13 | Bashart | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 6-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Post time 3:05 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Taptowne | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | Tim Glyshaw | 15-1 |
| 2 | Golden Ticket | Joel Rosario | Kenneth G. McPeek | 12-1 |
| 3 | Hymn Book | Javier Castellano | Claude R. McGaughey III | 15-1 |
| 4 | Brujo de Olleros | Alan Garcia | Richard C. Mettee | 8-1 |
| 5 | Fed Biz | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 6 | Broadway Empire | Rico W. Walcott | Robertino Diodoro | 12-1 |
| 7 | Alpha | Joe Bravo | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | 8-1 |
| 8 | Holy Lute | Mike Smith | James M. Cassidy | 20-1 |
| 9 | Centralinteligence | Victor Espinoza | Ronald W. Ellis | 15-1 |
| 10 | Verrazano | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 3-1 |
| 11 | Pants On Fire | Paco Lopez | Kelly Breen | 6-1 |
| 12 | Goldencents | Rafael Bejarano | Doug F. O’Neill | 4-1 |
| AE | Easter Gift | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | 15-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) Post time 3:50 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Nesso | Martin Garcia | Vann Belvoir | 20-1 |
| 2 | Al Thakhira | Ryan Moore | Marco Botti | 6-1 |
| 3 | Colonel Joan | Joe Talamo | Eoin G. Harty | 20-1 |
| 4 | Kitten Kaboodle | John Velazquez | Chad C. Brown | 12-1 |
| 5 | Granny Mc’s Kitten | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | 20-1 |
| 6 | Vorda | Olivier Peslier | Philippe Sogorb | 4-1 |
| 7 | Street Sailing | Alan Garcia | Richard C. Mettee | 15-1 |
| 8 | Chriselliam | Richard Hughes | Charlie Hills | 6-1 |
| 9 | Dancing House | Mike Smith | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | 20-1 |
| 10 | Clenor | Rafael Bejarano | Doug F. O’Neill | 8-1 |
| 11 | Ready to Act | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | 8-1 |
| 12 | Testa Rossi | Jose Lezcano | Chad C. Brown | 8-1 |
| 13 | Sky Painter | Luis Saez | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | 15-1 |
| 14 | My Conquestadory | Eurico Rosa da Silva | Mark E. Casse | 9-2 |
| Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Post time 4:35 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Street Girl | Angel Castillo | Manuel J. Azpurua | 30-1 |
| 2 | Authenticity | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 8-1 |
| 3 | Close Hatches | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | 6-1 |
| 4 | Royal Delta | Mike Smith | William I. Mott | 8-5 |
| 5 | Beholder | Gary Stevens | Richard E. Mandella | 5-2 |
| 6 | Princess of Sylmar | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | 9-5 |
Breeders’ Cup Saturday
| Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Post time 12:05 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Artemis Agrotera | Jose Lezcano | Michael E. Hushion | 3-1 |
| 2 | Rosalind | Joel Rosario | Kenneth G. McPeek | 8-1 |
| 3 | Designer Legs | Joe Talamo | Dallas Stewart | 30-1 |
| 4 | Secret Compass | John Velasquez | Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 5 | Ria Antonia | Javier Castellano | Jeremiah C. Englehart | 30-1 |
| 6 | Concave | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O’Neill | 15-1 |
| 7 | Untapable | Rosie Napravnik | Steven M. Asmussen | 5-1 |
| 8 | Scandalous Act | Edwardo Nunez | Kathleen M. O’Connell | 8-1 |
| 9 | Sweet Reason | Alex Solis | Leah Gyarmati | 5-2 |
| 10 | She’s a Tiger | Gary Stevens | Jeffrey L. Bonde | 6-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) Post time 12:43 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Dank | Ryan Moore | Sir Michael R. Stoute | 5-2 |
| 2 | Romantica | Maxime H. Guyon | Andre Fabre | 6-1 |
| 3 | Tiz Flirtatious | Julien R. Leparoux | Martin F. Jones | 7-2 |
| 4 | Alterite | John Velazquez | Chad C. Brown | 10-1 |
| 5 | Lady of Shamrock | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | 20-1 |
| 6 | Marketing Mix | Gary Stevens | Thomas F. Proctor | 7-2 |
| 7 | Laughing | Jose Lezcano | Alan E. Goldberg | 8-1 |
| 8 | Emollient | Mike Smith | William I. Mott | 12-1 |
| 9 | Qushchi | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | 20-1 |
| 10 | Kitten’s Dumplings | Joel Rosario | Michael J. Maker | 10-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) Post time 1:21 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Renee’s Titan | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O’Neill | 30-1 |
| 2 | Book Review | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 3 | Starship Truffles | Gary Stevens | Martin D. Wolfson | 15-1 |
| 4 | Dance Card | Joel Rosario | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | 8-1 |
| 5 | Teddy’s Promise | Victor Espinoza | Ronald W. Ellis | 6-1 |
| 6 | Ismene | Mike Smith | William Spawr | 20-1 |
| 7 | Summer Applause | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | 12-1 |
| 8 | Dance to Bristol | Xavier Perez | Ollie L. Figgins III | 5-1 |
| 9 | Judy the Beauty | John Velazquez | Wesley A. Ward | 6-1 |
| 10 | Great Hot | Chantal Sutherland | Antonio C. Avila | 20-1 |
| 11 | Groupie Doll | Rajiv Maragh | William Bradley | 5-2 |
| 12 | Sweet Lulu | Julien Leparoux | Jerry Hollendorfer | 8-1 |
| Geico Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) Post time 2:05 PM | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Jeranimo | Victor Espinoza | Mike Pender | 12-1 |
| 2 | Rock Me Baby | Joe Talamo | Craig Dollase | 30-1 |
| 3 | Chips All In | Julien R. Leparoux | Jeff Mullins | 5-1 |
| 4 | Reneesgotzip | Edwin A. Maldonado | Peter Miller | 5-1 |
| 5 | Caracortado | Gary Stevens | Michael Machowsky | 8-1 |
| 6 | Boat Trip | Rafael Bejarano | Mike Pender | 8-1 |
| 7 | Tightend Touchdown | Javier Castellano | Jason Servis | 12-1 |
| 8 | Handsome Mike | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O’Neill | 30-1 |
| 9 | Capo Bastone | Joel Rosario | Todd A. Pletcher | 8-1 |
| 10 | Havelock | James Graham | Darrin Miller | 10-1 |
| 11 | Spring to the Sky | John Velazquez | Bruce Brown | 30-1 |
| 12 | Mizdirection | Mike Smith | Mike Puype | 4-1 |
| 13 | Dimension | David Moran | Conor Murphy | 12-1 |
| 14 | Unbridled’s Note | Corey Nakatani | Steven M. Asmussen | 8-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Post time 2:43 PM | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Smarty’s Echo | E. T. Baird | Anne P. Smith | 20-1 |
| 2 | Dance With Fate | Rafael Bejarano | Peter A. Eurton | 8-1 |
| 3 | Mexikoma | Alan Garcia | Richard C. Mettee | 12-1 |
| 4 | New Year’s Day | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 8-1 |
| 5 | Bond Holder | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O’Neill | 8-1 |
| 6 | Tap It Rich | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 7 | Cleburne | Corey Nakatani | Dale L. Romans | 12-1 |
| 8 | Conquest Titan | Eurico Rosa da Silva | Mark E. Casse | 30-1 |
| 9 | Rum Point | Edwin A. Maldonado | Doug F. O’Neill | 30-1 |
| 10 | We Miss Artie | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | 8-1 |
| 11 | Medal Count | Robby Albarado | Dale L. Romans | 20-1 |
| 12 | Diamond Bachelor | Julien R. Leparoux | Patrick L. Biancone | 12-1 |
| 13 | Havana | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 5-2 |
| 14 | Strong Mandate | Joel Rosario | D. Wayne Lukas | 6-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) Post time 3:22 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Vagabond Shoes | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | 15-1 |
| 2 | Teaks North | Martin Garcia | Eric J. Guillot | 30-1 |
| 3 | Twilight Eclipse | Julien R. Leparoux | Thomas Albertrani | 20-1 |
| 4 | Little Mike | Mike Smith | Dale L. Romans | 6-1 |
| 5 | Skyring | Luis Saez | D. Wayne Lukas | 30-1 |
| 6 | Tale of a Champion | Joe Talamo | Kristin Mulhall | 30-1 |
| 7 | The Fugue | William Buick | John H.M. Gosden | 3-1 |
| 8 | Point of Entry | John Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | 4-1 |
| 9 | Indy Point | Gary Stevens | Richard E. Mandella | 9-2 |
| 10 | Big Blue Kitten | Joe Bravo | Chad C. Brown | 6-1 |
| 11 | Magician | Ryan Moore | Aidan P. O’Brien | 8-1 |
| 12 | Real Solution | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | 8-1 |
| Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) Post time 4:01 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Justin Phillip | John Velazquez | Steven M. Asmussen | 4-1 |
| 2 | The Lumber Guy | Mike Luzzi | Michael E. Hushion | 12-1 |
| 3 | Gentlemen’s Bet | Javier Castellano | Ron Moquett | 8-1 |
| 4 | Majestic Stride | Edwin A. Maldonado | Jeffrey L. Bonde | 20-1 |
| 5 | Sum of the Parts | Leandro R. Goncalves | Thomas M. Amoss | 12-1 |
| 6 | Bahamian Squall | Luis Saez | David Fawkes | 10-1 |
| 7 | Private Zone | Martin A. Pedroza | Doug F. O’Neill | 3-1 |
| 8 | Fast Bullet | Joel Rosario | D. Wayne Lukas | 6-1 |
| 9 | Secret Circle | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 4-1 |
| 10 | Wine Police | Enrique Portillo Gomez | Henry Dominguez | 30-1 |
| 11 | Trinniberg | Rajiv Maragh | Shivananda Parbhoo | 8-1 |
| 12 | Laugh Track | Mike Smith | Mark E. Casse | 20-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Post time 4:40 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | No Jet Lag | Mike Smith | Simon Callaghan | 8-1 |
| 2 | Silentio | Rafael Bejarano | Gary Mandella | 20-1 |
| 3 | Silver Max | Robby Albarado | Dale L. Romans | 5-1 |
| 4 | Obviously | Joe Talamo | Mike R. Mitchell | 10-1 |
| 5 | Olympic Glory | Richard Hughes | Richard Hannon | 4-1 |
| 6 | Bright Thought | Julien Leparoux | Jorge Gutierrez | 20-1 |
| 7 | He Be Fire N Ice | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | 15-1 |
| 8 | Wise Dan | John Velazquez | Charles LoPresti | 1-1 |
| 9 | Cristoforo Colombo | Ryan Moore | Aidan P. O’Brien | 15-1 |
| 10 | Za Approval | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | 15-1 |
| Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Post time 5:35 PM PT | ||||
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Last Gunfighter | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | 20-1 |
| 2 | Paynter | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 12-1 |
| 3 | Planteur | Ryan Moore | Marco Botti | 20-1 |
| 4 | Moreno | Joe Talamo | Eric J. Guillot | 15-1 |
| 5 | Declaration of War | Joseph O’Brien | Aidan P. O’Brien | 10-1 |
| 6 | Mucho Macho Man | Gary Stevens | Kathy Ritvio | 5-1 |
| 7 | Fort Larned | Brian Hernandez | Ian R. Wilkes | 6-1 |
| 8 | Palace Malice | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 10-1 |
| 9 | Game On Dude | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 8-5 |
| 10 | Will Take Charge | Louis Saez | D. Wayne Lukas | 12-1 |
| 11 | Ron the Greek | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | 8-1 |
| 12 | Flat Out | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | 12-1 |
