Breeders' Cup 2016: Top Contenders, Early Odds and More for Classic Race
Horse racing fans look forward to the Breeders' Cup all year long.
While the Triple Crown races are more historic and the sport's signature events, there is nothing like the Breeders' Cup when it comes to a full day of quality racing.
All the races are memorable, but the Breeders' Cup Classic is clearly the pinnacle event in the day of racing.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
This year's event will take place Saturday at Santa Anita Park, the ninth time the Breeders' Cup has been held at the legendary California track.
The Classic will be televised by NBC, and post time is expected to be at 8:35 p.m. ET.
| 1 | Effinex | Flavien Prat | Jimmy Jerkens | 15-1 |
| 2 | Frosted | Joel Rosario | Kiaran McLaughlin | 5-1 |
| 3 | Keen Ice | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | 20-1 |
| 4 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | 1-1 |
| 5 | Win the Space | Gary Stevens | George Papaprodromou | 30-1 |
| 6 | Melatonin | Joe Talamo | David Hofmans | 12-1 |
| 7 | War Story | Scott Speith | Mario Serey Jr. | 30-1 |
| 8 | Sherman Ghost | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Jimmy Jerkens | 20-1 |
| 9 | Hoppertunity | John Velasquez | Bob Baffert | 15-1 |
| 10 | Arrogate | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 5-2 |
A field of 10 is entered in the race, and California Chrome is a strong 1-1 favorite, according to the early track odds posted by the Daily Racing Form.
However, California Chrome will get tested by Arrogate and Frosted, and the other quality horses in the field are capable of pulling off the upset if the favorite is not at his best in this $6 million race.
California Chrome became a horse racing superstar in 2014 when he won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.
While he struggled during 2015, he has been a tremendous competitor in 2016, winning the Dubai World Cup, TVG Pacific Classic and Awesome Again Stakes. No horse who has raced in North America has ever won more money than California Chrome, and his career earnings have exceeded the $13.4 million mark.
Chrome is ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by Art Sherman, and he is looking for the 16th win of his career in his 25th race.
He likes to go to the front or stalk the pace. Racing fans are not likely to see California Chrome mount a come-from-behind effort.
Arrogate does not have California Chrome's experience level, but he is a quality horse who has won four of his five races.
He competed in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, and he won that prestigious event by 13 ½ lengths. With trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith, Arrogate will try to become the third three-year-old in the last three years to win an event that has most often been dominated by older horses.
"We don’t know how good he is, but he’ll have to be super to beat 'Chrome,'" Baffert told the Santa Anita website. "He’s stayed healthy since the Travers and he’s maturing."
Arrogate likes to go to the front early and stay there. He is regularly a pacesetter.
Frosted was unable to derail American Pharoah during the superstar's run to the Triple Crown in 2015, but he has won big events this year, including the Metropolitan Handicap and the Whitney Stakes.
Frosted has six wins and six second-place finishes in 18 career starts. His jockey is Joel Rosario, and his trainer is Kiaran McLaughlin.
Frosted tends to stalk the pace and put on a winning effort in the latter portions of the race.
Look for those three to dominate the Breeders' Cup Classic, since they are clearly the top horses in the field.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
