Breeders' Cup Odds 2013: Sleepers to Watch at Santa Anita

The Kentucky Derby may be the most exciting two minutes in sports, but the Breeders' Cup could very well be the most thrilling two days in sports. The best horses and jockeys from around the world will gather this Friday and Saturday to decide who reigns supreme.

Unlike the Kentucky Derby, where a line can be drawn through several contenders almost immediately, the fields for these races are much more difficult to decipher. Nearly every horse has earned their way to their race in some capacity and a legitimate case can be made for nearly every competitor. 

Here is a look at some of most interesting horses that are flying under the radar this week. Remember, all you need is one long shot and you will earn bragging rights for the next year. 

Official morning line odds courtesy of the Daily Racing Form. 

Juvenile Turf Sleeper: Wilshire Boulevard (GB)

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Post Position: 9

It is always a foolish move to overlook the European invaders in any of the Breeders' Cup turf races and top international trainer Aiden O'Brien has won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf for the past two years. While his higher profile entry in this race, Giovanni Bandini, will likely be a top contender, his entrymate may have a chance as well.

Though this colt has never run past seven furlongs, he does have the pedigree to get a mile and has been keeping competitive company in Europe. 

Dirt Mile Sleeper: Brujo De Olleros

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Post Position: 4

When it was announced that Graydar, the likely favorite, would not be competing in the Dirt Mile after all, the entire complexion of this race changed. He looked like one of the strongest horses on the entire card. So, with his exclusion, why not go with the horse that nearly gave him everything he could handle last time out?

Brujo de Olleros was a star in Uruguay in 2011 and early 2012. However, his first few efforts in the United States were poor. He went to the sidelines for the better part of a year and has returned in 2013 a powerhouse of a horse. He is getting sharper with each start and battled gamely with Graydar in the Kelso Handicap on September 28.

If you liked Graydar and were disappointed when he went to the shelf, give this horse a chance. 

Juvenile Fillies Turf Sleeper: Dancing House

Mike Smith is having a stellar year

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Post Position: 9

This filly is going to be a big long shot and deservedly so off of her form. She has just a maiden win to her credit and that came in her career debut on dirt, not turf, at Saratoga. However, she did show sharp acceleration on the grass in the Miss Grillo Stakes (G3) in her turf debut. 

It is not her form that makes her all that interesting; it is her pedigree. She is by top stallion Tapit and his offspring have shown ability on the turf. Her dam, Tout Charmant, was a top turf mare in California in the late '90s and was second in the 2000 running of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. 

In addition to being bred up and down for the turf, she gets the services of big-money rider Mike Smith who could have a dominant two days at the Breeders' Cup. 

Juvenile Fillies Sleeper: Scandalous Act

Beholder won last year's Juvenile Fillies

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Post Position: 8

Scandalous Act swept the Florida Stallion Series at Calder and will get her first serious class test here. She has four wins from five starts and has been extremely impressive in those victories. How good is she, really? We will find out on Saturday. 

She is a home-bred for Florida-based owner Gilbert Campbell and is trained by Kathleen O'Connell. These connections, while they have had their share of top quality horses, are not prominent players on the top national scene and it would be a well-deserved reward to these two for decades of supporting the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry to get such a marquee win.

Sometimes, it is just nice to root for the little guys. 

Filly and Mare Turf Sleeper: Romantica (GB)

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Post Position: 2

Romantica (GB) was simply bred to win this race.

Her dam, Banks Hill (GB), won the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2001 and was second in that race in 2002. In addition, her full sister Intercontinental (GB) took home the prize in the Filly and Mare Turf in 2005 furthering the legacy of blue hen mare Hasili (IRE), who also produced Heat Haze (GB) who was fourth in the 2003 Filly and Mare Turf and millionaires Cacique (IRE) and Champs Elysees (GB). 

With that kind of female family and history behind her, her competitive European form could translate to a minor upset victory. 

Turf Sprint Sleeper: Caracortado

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Post Position: 5

Caracortado has had some bumps in the road. Lingering physical issues kept him on the shelf for nearly all of 2012 following a fifth place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in 2011. He had a winning effort at Santa Anita in January of 2012, then was sidelined until he returned on September 27 to finish fourth, beaten under a length, at Santa Anita in the Eddie D. Stakes.

It sounds impossible for him to win a race as competitive as a Breeders' Cup race making only his second start off of an extended layoff. Unlikely, yes, but not impossible. The incredible Da Hoss returned in 1998 to win his second Breeders' Cup Mile making only his second start since winning his first Mile in 1996. Now, Caracortado has some big horse shoes to be filled to be mentioned in the same breath as Da Hoss but he does have a big chance.

Turf Sleeper: Big Blue Kitten

Kitten's Joy was 2nd in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Post Position: 10

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2013 is the Year of the Snake. In the horse racing world, 2013 should be known as the Year of the Kitten. Sire Kitten's Joy has become the top stallion in the United States while he was known for his success on the turf, his offspring seem to do it all.

Big Blue Kitten is his top offspring this year with a pair of Grade 1 wins to his credit. He seems to be the best of the American turf horses at the moment and the one most likely to make a bid against the formidable European contenders. 

He was narrowly defeated by Little Mike, the 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf champion, last time out and will try to avenge that loss here. 

Sprint Sleeper: Trinniberg

Trinniberg will try for a repeat

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Post Position: 11

Though Trinniberg's form has taken a sharp nosedive since he pulled a minor upset to win the 2012 Breeders' Cup Sprint, the defending champion still warrants some consideration here.

At his best, he is freakishly fast. While his form this year has been quite poor, his recent workouts have been an encouraging return to the Trinniberg from last year. If his sizzling morning workouts can translate to the afternoon, he is certainly fast enough to pose an upset threat again. 

Mile Sleeper: Obviously

Morning Line Odds: 10-1

Post Position: 4

While there is no denying Obviously's last race was a flat, uninspiring performance, he is a better horse than that race may indicate. Though he weakened to fourth as the heavy favorite, he has been training enthusiastically since that race and will try to rebound.

He was third to champion Wise Dan and Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in last year's rendition of the Mile and finished ahead of European star Excelebration. There is no doubt that at his best he can compete and run with the big boys.

He does have home track advantage and could be a big front-running contender.  

Classic Sleeper: Paynter

Morning Line Odds: 12-1

Post Position: 1

Just over a year ago, Paynter was fighting for his life. He was sidelined initially with a serious bout of colitis, but his prognosis darkened when laminitis set in. Laminitis is often fatal and the outlook looked grim for the winner of the 2012 Haskell Invitational. 

The colt refused to give up and against all odds, he beat both diseases. Once he was cleared by his doctors, he went back to the racetrack and slowly began his comeback. On June 14, he thrilled the racing world with an emphatic return and at that point all roads led to the Breeders' Cup.

He has been competitive against top stakes horses since his return to the races and while the other horse from the Bob Baffert barn, Game on Dude, will get the attention at the windows, there is no arguing this horse's talent and heart. 

Regardless of where Paynter finishes in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, he has already won.