Breeders' Cup Draw 2012: Post Positions, Field and Race Preview

Get yourself ready for the 2012 Breeders' Cup, the best two days of horse racing on the calendar. 

The event includes 15 different races featuring the top Thoroughbreds from around the world. 

Horses can qualify for the event by earning enough points in wins during the year, winning a Breeders' Cup Challenge or being selected by a panel of experts. This means that only the best compete and only the best are eligible for a total of $25.5 million in total prize money that will be given out during the weekend.

The large purse and the prestige that comes from winning make it one of the premier sporting events of the year.

Here is a breakdown of what to watch for at the two-day spectacle.  

Where: Santa Anita Park, Los Angeles, Calif.

When: November 2 - 3

TV: Classic on NBC, All other races on NBC Sports Network

Live Stream: Breederscup.com

Breeders' Cup Classic

When: Saturday, Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. PT

Draw: Scheduled for October 29 at 3:30 p.m. PT

Purse: $5 million

Preview

This is the main event of the entire weekend. The Classic is a mile-and-a-quarter race between horses that are at least three years old. It is one of the biggest races of the year and the quality of competition is unmatched around the world.

Each of the 14 competitors are very accomplished, so picking a winner is very difficult. However, a few horses have separated themselves from the field coming into the race.

Bob Baffert's Game On Dude has arguably the best chance to leave with the top time after an impressive season. The horse has already won at Santa Anita Park last week at the Awesome Again Stakes and this experience should give it an advantage over the field.

Mucho Macho Man has experience in the top races, competing in all three of the 2011 Triple Crown events and finishing third at the Kentucky Derby. Dullahan also finished third at Churchill Downs in 2012.

Finally, Ron the Greek has raced six times in 2012 and has finished in first or second in five of them. It qualified by winning the Stephen Foster Handicap and should be near the front of the pack by the end of the race.

Predicted Winner: Ron the Greek

Complete Field (via Breederscup.com):

Game On Dude

Dullahan

Flat Out

Fort Larned

Ron the Greek

Alpha

Brilliant Speed

Handsome Mike

Mucho Macho Man

Nonios

Pool Play

Richard's Kid

Royal Delta

To Honor and Serve

Juvenile Sprint

When: Nov. 2 at 1:06 p.m. PT

Purse: $500,000

Predicted Winner: Kauai Katie

Marathon

When: Nov. 2 at 1:46 p.m. PT

Purse: $500,000

Predicted Winner: Calidoscopio

Juvenile Fillies Turf

When: Nov. 2 at 2:28 p.m. PT

Purse: $1 million

Predicted Winner: Moonwalk

Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies

When: Nov. 2 at 3:08 p.m. PT

Purse: $2 million

Predicted Winner: Spring in the Air

Filly & Mare Turf

When: Nov. 2 at 3:48 p.m. PT

Purse: $2 million

Predicted Winner: Ridasiyna

Ladies' Classic

When: Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m. PT

Purse: $2 million

Predicted Winner: Royal Delta

Juvenile Turf

When: Nov. 3 at 11:50 a.m. PT

Purse: $1 million

Predicted Winner: Joha

Filly & Mare Sprint

When: Nov. 3 at 12:35 p.m. PT

Purse: $1 million

Predicted Winner: Class Included

Dirt Mile

When: Nov. 3 at 1:14 p.m. PT

Purse: $1 million

Predicted Winner: Handsome Mike

Turf Sprint

When: Nov. 3 at 1:57 p.m. PT

Purse: $1 million

Predicted Winner: Next Question

Grey Goose Juvenile

When: Nov. 3 at 2:36 p.m. PT

Purse: $2 million

Predicted Winner: Shanghai Bobby

Turf

When: Nov. 3 at 3:18 p.m. PT

Purse: $3 million

Predicted Winner: Sea Moon

XPRESSBET Sprint

When: Nov. 3 at 3:58 p.m. PT

Purse: $1.5 million

Predicted Winner: Coil

Mile

When: Nov. 3 at 4:40 pm. PT

Purse: $2 million

Predicted Winner: Excelebration 

There should be no shortage of excitement in the two days of races. The Classic is the one that people will want to tune into on Saturday evening, but the Mile, Sprint and Turf races are all equally exciting as undercards.

If you have power following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, your television should be on NBC Sports on Friday and Saturday. You will not regret it.

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