Breeders' Cup 2016: Odds and Predictions for All Races

The 2016 Breeders’ Cup is coming up fast as the field of horses begins to take shape. 

The top horses, jockeys and trainers from all over the globe will travel back to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, for the first time since 2014. As it is the same every year, The Breeders' Cup Classic is the most highly anticipated race of the weekend, but there are several other races, one in particular, that stand out in this year's Breeders' Cup.

It’s hard to knock off California Chrome as a favorite in The Breeders’ Cup Classic, especially with the recent news of fellow contender Nyquist being unable to participate this weekend with a "puffy ankle," according to trainer Doug O'Neill, per Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Forum.

"He jogs sound and the X-rays are clean," O'Neill said. "But with the timing, he can't make the Classic. We're bummed and sad."

Nyquist, who won the 2016 Kentucky Derby, is now set for retirement.

For the horses, trainers and jockeys who are participating in this upcoming weekend's fixture of races, here's a look at my predictions for each race this year, which will take place on Nov. 4 and Nov. 5. 

Race	Purse	Distance	Surface	Projected Winner
Juvenile Turf	$1 Million	1 Mile	Turf	Good Samaritan
Las Vegas Dirt Mile	$1 Million	1 Mile	Dirt	Dortmund
Juvenile Fillies Turf	$1 Million	1 Mile	Turf	Intricately
Longines Distaff	$1 Million	1 1/8 Miles	Dirt	Songbird
14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies	$1 Million	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	Daddy's Little Darling
Turf Sprint	$1 Million	5 1/2 Furlongs	Turf	Acapulco
Filly & Mare Sprint	$1 Million	7 Furlongs	Dirt	Haveyougoneaway
Filly & Mare Turf	$2 Million	1 3/16 Miles	Turf	Alice Springs
TwinSpires Sprint	$1.5 Million	6 Furlongs	Dirt	Lord Nelson
Mile	$2 Million	1 Mile	Turf	Kitcat
Sentient Jet Juvenile	$2 Million	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	Classic Empire
Longines Turf	$3 Million	1 1/2 Miles	Turf	Highland Reel
Classic	$5 Million	1 1/4 Miles	Dirt	California Chrome

The Las Vegas Dirt Mile

This race could be the most entertaining race of the weekend with the likes of Gun Runner and Accelerate participating this year, but Dortmund looks to be the horse to beat in 2016. 

Dortmund has been battling against California Chrome all year long, finishing second to Chrome in the Awesome Again-G1 and San Diego Handicap-G1 and third in the Pacific Classic-G1. After spending most of 2015 trailing American Pharoah, it seems like Dortmund just can't catch a break.

But in the Las Vegas Dirt Mile, look for Dortmund to lead the pack and come away with the victory. 

Here's a look at the latest odds for the crown jewel of the weekend, The Breeders' Cup Classic:

Horse	Trainer	Odds
California Chrome	Art Sherman	-110
Arrogate	Bob Baffert	+300
Frosted	Kiaran McLaughlin	+800
Found	Aidan O’Brien	+1200
Highland Reel	Aidan O’Brien	+1600
Shamam Ghost	Jimmy Jerkens	+2500
Melatonin	David Hofmans	+2500
Hoppertunity	Bob Baffert	+2800
Gun Runner	Steve Asmussen	+2800
Keen Ice	Todd Pletcher	+3300
Effinex	Jimmy Jerkens	+4000
War Story	Mario Serey Jr.	+6600
Win the Space	George Papaprodromou	+6600

Let's be honest, if any other horse manages to win this race besides California Chrome, that would be the biggest upset in quite some time.

California Chrome is by far the most gifted horse that will be on the track this weekend. The sheer muscle and speed of California Chrome, compared to the other horses participating this year, is obvious even to the average horse racing fan. 

Just look below at how California Chrome separates himself from the pack right out of the gates and holds off Dortmund with relative ease:

The Breeders' Cup Classic will be an exciting race to watch, but don't expect any horse to pull off the upset against the world's No. 1-ranked horse this weekend.