Breeders' Cup 2013: Predictions for Top Contenders at Classic Race

The Breeders' Cup is one of the biggest events in all of racing, and with the series of races starting on Friday, it's time to start breaking down the top contenders for the Classic on Saturday.

The stakes are certainly high for the Breeders' Cup Classic, as the $5 million purse is higher than the three Triple Crown races combined. NBC will begin airing coverage for the main event at 8:35 p.m. ET, so be sure to tune in.

With that being said, let's take a look at the top contenders for the Classic, followed by a prediction for each horse.

Fort Larned

As the winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2012, Fort Larned is one of the top favorites this year, but it might not be the best idea to put your money on this horse.

In 2013, Fort Larned has been in five races, winning two of them. However, in the other three races, he finished in fifth twice and didn't even place in the other. It doesn't look Fort Larned will be keeping up with his 2012 pace, where he raced nine times, finishing in third once, second once and first five times.

As Esther Marr of Bloodhorse reports, via ESPN.com, Fort Larned has been undergoing "serious preparation" for this event and has shown well in the process.

This horse does a good job at setting the tone and has endurance, but with a number of fast horses out there, I don't think he'll be able to finish in the top five.

Prediction: Sixth

Game On Dude

As it stands right now, Game On Dude is the big favorite to win the Classic this year, and it's really not that hard to see why.

Through the first five races this year, Game on Dude has won every single one. In fact, this horse is currently on a six-race win streak with his last non-win coming in last year's Classic, where he finished in seventh.

Mike Smith, who rode Palace Malice to a win at the Belmont Stakes, won't be riding him in this one. Instead, Smith will be switching to Game On Dude, and that's a pretty big deal.

As Jennie Rees of USA Today points out, "A Classic victory almost assuredly would make Game On Dude Horse of the Year, just as it would have the last two seasons." Needless to say, there's a lot on the line.

It's actually been more than two months since Game On Dude last raced, and while the argument can be made that it will keep him fresh, I also think it will keep him from winning this one against a field that features some very impressive horses.

Prediction: Third

Mucho Macho Man

While the previous winner of the Classic race is gaining some attention, the former runner-up Mucho Macho Man is starting to gain quite a bit of hype himself.

In just four races this year, Mucho Macho Man has just one first-place result, finishing in third twice and not placing in the other. However, his one win this year came back in September in Santa Anita. In his other race at Santa Anita, which was the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic, Mucho Macho fan finished in second.

The legendary Gary Stevens will be riding Mucho Macho Man in this one, and that's enough to turn quite a few heads. Stevens was able to lead Oxbow to an incredible victory at the Preakness earlier this year.

In a separate article by Jennie Rees, via the Courier-Journal, Stevens expressed his optimism over having Mucho Macho Man in his "comfort zone."

"

It’s a huge advantage. The horse is here and he’s settled in. This is home now and he likes this track. He ran well on it last year and had a great performance in the Awesome Again.

"

While Mucho Macho Man may not be the favorite, Stevens can get a good handle on this horse and take home yet another huge win.

Prediction: First