Breeders' Cup 2012: Breaking Down Biggest Favorites in Los Angeles

For all the hooplah that surrounds the triple crown races, the Breeders' Cup is the true premier event for horse racing. The ultimate culmination of the Breeders' Cup Challenge, the final event offers two days worth of high-stakes racing action.

However, the main event of them all is the Breeders' Cup Classic, with its $5 million purse. With all of the top horses and jockeys gunning for the huge payday, the race features the best competition in the world and promises to be a thrilling main event.

Here's a breakdown of the biggest favorites to win the classic race. All odds via BC Horse Race.

Flat Out

Odds: 5/1

Flat Out is a relative favorite in the race with 5/1 odds.

His jockey is Joel Rosario, who has enjoyed an excellent 2012 season with 186 first-place finishes. He also claimed third place in this year's Preakness on Creative Cause. Rosario has had success in the Breeders' Cup before, with two first-place finishes in the Dirt Mile and Sentient Jet Sprint.

Flat Out has had a mediocre year, but appears to be peaking at the right time. He has struggled with injuries in the past but earned his first win of the year with Rosario as his jockey last month at the Jockey Club Gold Cup G1.

Coming off of the impressive win, Flat Out will look to continue the success with Rosario. If he doesn't run into issues with injuries again, he's as dangerous as any horse in the race.

Fort Larned

Odds: 5/1

Fort Larned currently has even odds with Flat out at 5/1.

His jockey is grizzled veteran Brian Hernandez Jr., who has been racing since 1989 and has over 12,000 career starts to his name. Hernandez has only won 31 races this year, but he's got the experience that will give Fort Larned the advantage down the stretch.

Fort Larned has three wins this year, with two of them coming when teamed with Hernandez. His most recent run was a bit of a disappointment, as he was outrun by Flat Out at Belmont.

However, he should be able to rebound more than a month later. He outpaced Flat Out in August in Saratoga, so he's just as good as anyone on his best day.

Game On Dude

Odds: 9/5

The odds-on favorite in the race is Game On Dude.

Game On Dude put on a great performance in last year's Breeders' Cup, finishing second behind race winner Drosselmeyer with longtime jockey Chantal Sutherland in control. This year, he'll be ridden by Rafael Bejarano, who is having a tremendous year.

Bejarano has finished in the top three 545 times in his 938 starts this year, including 224 wins. One of those wins came with Game On Dude, as the pairing had a successful run at Santa Anita Park just one month ago.

With both Bejarano and Game On Dude on a tear this year, there's no doubt that they deserve to be the favorite heading into the race. They are nearly guaranteed to wind up in the thick of things at the finish line.