Breeders' Cup 2013 Entries: Analyzing Top Horses, Contenders and Lineup

Today's Breeders' Cup Classic from Santa Anita Park figures to be one of the year's best races as a stacked field will vie for a $5 million prize. There is no shortage of contenders either as a number of elite horses will be guided by top-notch jockeys and trainers.

Winning the Classic is something that has eluded some of the best horses the sport has ever seen, so there is no doubt that coming away victorious in this race is a massive accomplishment. Although the Kentucky Derby probably receives more mainstream coverage, there is little doubt that the Classic is the most anticipated event in horse racing circles.

Here is a look at the Breeders' Cup Classic lineup along with a breakdown of the horses that you should keep an eye on during Saturday's race.

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Last Gunfighter	Javier Castellano	Chad Brown	20-1
2	Paynter	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12-1
3	Planteur (IRE)	Ryan Moore	Marco Botti	20-1
4	Moreno	Joseph Talamo	Eric Guillot	15-1
5	Declaration of War	Joseph O'Brien	Aidan O' Brien	10-1
6	Mucho Macho Man	Gary Stevens	Katherine Ritvo	5-1
7	Fort Larned	Brian Hernandez, Jr.	Ian Wilkes	6-1
8	Palace Malice	John Velazquez	Todd Pletcher	10-1
9	Game On Dude	Mike Smith	Bob Baffert	8-5
10	Will Take Charge	Luis Saez	D. Wayne Lukas	12-1
11	Open	x	x	x
12	Flat Out	Joel Rosario	William Mott	12-1

Fort Larned

The only horse to repeat as winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic since its advent in 1984 is Tiznow, who turned the trick in 2000 and 2001. It may not quite be on par with winning the Triple Crown, but it is unquestionably one of the biggest accomplishments in horse racing. After surprisingly crossing the line first last year, Fort Larned will take a shot at history on Saturday as he is among the top contenders in the field.

Fort Larned has run quite sparingly since winning last year's Classic as the five-year-old horse has taken part in just five races this year. His results have been mixed as he has won twice, but he finished fifth or worse in his other three starts. He enters the Classic with some momentum, though, after winning the Homecoming Classic in September. According to Churchill Downs, Fort Larned recently got in a five-furlong workout, so he should be ready.

If consistency and familiarity are truly difference-makers in horse racing, then you have to like Fort Larned's chances. He is still trained by Ian Wilkes, and he will once again be mounted by jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. Hernandez guided him to victory last year, and he seems to know how to handle Fort Larned. A repeat is far from a guarantee due to the stiff competition surrounding him, but he'll be in the mix.

Game On Dude

Few horses have come as close to accomplishing greatness without actually doing it as Game On Dude. The six-year-old gelding is the veteran of the field as Saturday will mark his third Classic start. After finishing second two years ago, he entered last year's race as the favorite. Game On Dude disappointed to the tune of a seventh-place finish, but that hasn't stopped bettors from once again placing their faith in him this year.

Although no six-year-old has ever won the Classic, Game On Dude enters the race on an incredible hot streak. He is undefeated this year, and he has won his past six races in all. Some might question his level of competition, but he has gone up against and beaten some of the other horses in Saturday's field. History may not be on Game On Dude's side, but the only thing that matters is how well he performs this year.

Game On Dude happens to have the perfect jockey for this race as Hall of Famer Mike Smith has won the Classic on three occasions with his last triumph coming in 2011 aboard Drosselmeyer. Also, Game On Dude is trained by Bob Baffert, so he is surrounded by a dream team. This is Game On Dude's last chance at glory, and all the pieces appear to be in place for him to make a legitimate run at it.

Declaration of War

His experience level is nothing compared to the likes of Fort Larned and Game On Dude, but the fact that four-year-old colt Declaration of War has less tread on the tires than most of his competitors makes him a real threat to win on Saturday. Declaration of War had run just five races prior to this year, but he has seven starts in 2013 and enters the Classic in fine form.

Declaration of War is trained by Aidan O'Brien, who has had a great deal of success in Breeders' Cup races but has yet to take the Classic. In fact, O'Brien has won seven Breeders' Cup races in total, so it certainly seems as though he is due. Declaration of War's odds suggest that he is a middling pick, but notable horse owner Glen Todd believes that he is tailor-made to win this race.

Like many of the horses in this race, Declaration of War enters the Classic coming off a win. His 2013 season hasn't been ideal as he hasn't reached the winner's circle as much as O'Brien would like, but he's a definite factor in Saturday's race, and he has a great chance to upset some of the top contenders.

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