Breeders' Cup 2014: Odds and Predictions for All Entries in Classic Race
While the Triple Crown races might get more publicity, arguably the best horse racing each year comes at the Breeders' Cup.
The two-day event features 13 different races with a wide variety of age requirements, distances and surfaces. However, none of them is bigger than the Classic, which features a purse of $5 million. The best horses in the world will compete on the 1 1/4-mile track, although only one will come away as the winner.
Here is a look at odds for the entire field, courtesy of the official program, along with predictions for which horses will end up on the front of the pack Saturday evening.
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| 1 | Prayer for Relief | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Dale Romans | 30-1 |
| 2 | Cigar Street | John Velazquez | William Mott | 12-1 |
| 3 | Imperative | Lanfranco Dettori | George Papaprodromou | 30-1 |
| 4 | Moreno | Javier Castellano | Eric Guillot | 20-1 |
| 5 | V.E. Day | Joseph Talamo | James Jerkins | 20-1 |
| 6 | Shared Belief | Mike Smith | Jerry Holendorfer | 9-5 |
| 7 | Bayern | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 8 | Zivo | Jose Lezcano | Chad Brown | 15-1 |
| 9 | Toast of New York | Jamie Spencer | Jamie Osborne | 12-1 |
| 10 | Footbridge | Rafael Bejarano | Eoin Harty | 30-1 |
| 11 | Tonalist | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | 5-1 |
| 12 | Candy Boy | Corey Nakatani | John Sadler | 20-1 |
| 13 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | 4-1 |
| 14 | Majestic Harbor | Tyler Baze | Sean McCarthy | 20-1 |
| AE | Big Cazanova | Elvis Trujillo | Peter Miller | 30-1 |
Show: Bayern
A few competitors from this year's Triple Crown are in the Breeders' Cup Classic—most notably, Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome. While he will be a popular pick, do not count out Bayern from finishing ahead of the fan favorite.
After missing the Kentucky Derby, Bayern failed at his chance to play the role of spoiler at Pimlico, finishing ninth. However, he has performed well in races since then.
While California Chrome has competed in only one race since last June, Bayern has made four starts since Preakness, with three wins in that stretch. One of those wins came at the Pennsylvania Derby, where California Chrome finished in sixth place.
Trainer Bob Baffert is also encouraged by the post position for the upcoming race, via Art Wilson of the Los Angeles Daily News: "It was a good draw for Bayern. Right next to Shared Belief. I can watch both of them (break) and see what happens. We’ll probably be in front and (Shared Belief) will be right behind. As long as he stays behind it’s fine with me."
With a good start, he should be able to at least get a top-three finish.
Place: Moreno
In a race full of some of the best horses in the world, experience can go a long way. Fortunately, Moreno has a lot of it, especially compared to the relatively young field.
Daily Racing Form notes how the four-year-old separates himself:
Although he finished 10th last season, Moreno has improved since then, as he continues to compete in the toughest races around. He most notably earned a win at the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap and then finished second at Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, both at Saratoga.
While there are questions about Moreno's consistency, he has the experience to not be intimidated in the early going and the speed to have a strong finish.
It might not be enough to win it all, but he has a good chance of at least ending in the money.
Win: Shared Belief
Shared Belief has made seven starts in his career and has won all of them. No matter the distance or the competition, the horse always finds a way to come through.
ESPN.com's Bill Finley certainly thinks the Kentucky native could be ready for another big performance:
"There's no reason not to believe in Shared Belief. He's undefeated, he's already beaten older horses twice, he couldn't be in better hands than the team of trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Mike Smith, he's won at a mile-and-a-quarter, and he overcame a really tough trip to win the Awesome Again Stakes. If there's a flaw, I certainly can't find it.
"
The three-year-old thoroughbred's most recent win also came at Santa Anita, where he will be trying to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. This familiarity with the track will give him an even bigger advantage heading into the race.
With Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith along for the ride, there is no reason to doubt the favorite. Shared Belief will win and add another victory to his already impressive resume.
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