The 2013 Breeders' Cup doesn't get under way until Nov. 1, but the two-day spectacle is an epic horse racing showcase worth preparing for and breaking down ahead of time.

The action-packed schedule features 14 races with world-class fields and is capped off by the Breeders' Cup Classic, which features a $5 million purse. To put that in perspective, the prior three U.S. Triple Crown races combined for $4 million in prize money.

A list of pre-entries is already available through the series' official website, and it features Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice as the headliner of the list of 13 contenders.

9 Days until the @BreedersCup at @santaanitapark! #BC13 pic.twitter.com/e1ub7rFULl

— Americas Best Racing (@ABRLive) October 23, 2013

Below is a look at the complete schedule for the 29th annual Breeders' Cup, followed by early predictions for win, place and show in the final, most lucrative race.

Note: All background information is courtesy of BreedersCup.com, and race history was obtained from Equibase.com unless otherwise indicated.

 

Breeders' Cup at a Glance

When: Friday, Nov. 1 through Saturday, Nov. 2

Where: Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

 

 

Breeders' Cup Classic Predictions

Win: Game On Dude

It says something that Mike Smith spurned the chance to ride Palace Malice again, despite guiding him to a win at the Belmont Stakes.

Instead, he has opted to turn to Game On Dude, who has not lost since being a 6-to-5 favorite in the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2012 but finishing a disappointing seventh.

Game On Dude won the San Antonio Stakes and the Santa Anita Handicap at this track earlier in the season and followed up with three more winning rides at Charles Town, Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

Legendary trainer Bob Baffert has come up empty often in the past decade at Triple Crown races, and he has never won the Breeders' Cup Classic. This is his chance to snap the dry spell, and Game On Dude will deliver as the favorite this time around.

A win by Game On Dude would be redemptive not only for the horse but also for the trainer, and it would justify Smith's switch to this talented horse.

 

Place: Palace Malice

The veteran jockey Smith did a magnificent job aboard Palace Malice at the grueling test at Belmont Park. He rode a horse traditionally considered to be more of a sprinter to victory in the 12-furlong jaunt.

The Classic is only 10 furlongs, and the races since that Triple Crown breakthrough have been stellar if not spectacular for Palace Malice. He won the subsequent Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes but was fourth in the Travers Stakes and runner-up in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Stakes.

Smith wasn't in the saddle for those lesser results, but John Velazquez will get the mount in the Classic for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Palace Malice, with Johnny V up for first time, works 1-2 mile solo in 48.26 over Bel training track for BC Classic. Out 5-8ths in 1:01.09

— David Grening (@DRFGrening) October 13, 2013

The Hall of Fame jockey has never won the Breeders' Cup Classic among his many career accomplishments, but Velazquez has to feel good about a proven Triple Crown race winner with Palace Malice's speed.

Still, it won't be enough to overcome the dirt track prowess of Game On Dude in what should be a thrilling chase down the last straightaway.

 

Show: Fort Larned

The edge in experience as the defending champion of this race will be enough for Fort Larned to finish in the money.

It will likely be a photo finish, as Fort Learned will just beat out 2012 runner-up Mucho Macho Man, who does have some momentum after winning his first Grade 1 race at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 at the Awesome Again Stakes.

But Fort Larned notched a victory of his own at the Homecoming Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs—site of the Kentucky Derby—on the same day as Mucho Macho Man's triumph.

That backed up a previous trip to the winners' circle at the same venue in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap on June 15.

It proved that Fort Larned can still run with top-notch competition despite not competing in any Triple Crown races or the prestigious Woodward Stakes on Aug. 31, where he was scratched due to a strain.