Breeders' Cup 2016: Odds and Predictions for All Entries in Classic Race

Santa Anita Park will play host to one of the most anticipated events on the racing calendar this weekend, as the 2016 Breeders' Cup begins on Friday.

It'll be the ninth time this iconic venue has hosted the spectacle, and all eyes will be on Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic—the 1 ¼-mile chase is the marquee race of the meeting, with 10 horses and jockeys seeking to etch their names into the annals of this illustrious pursuit.

With a purse of $6 million up for grabs for the winner of the Classic, horse racing connoisseurs around the globe will be tuning in when the competitors settle into their gates at around 8:35 p.m. ET on Saturday. Here's a rundown of who'll be involved and a closer look at the chances of some of the bookmakers' favourites for this coveted crown.

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Effinex	Flavien Prat	Jimmy Jerkens	40-1
2	Frosted	Joel Rosario	Kiaran McLaughlin	11-2
3	Keen Ice	Javier Castellano	Todd Pletcher	16-1
4	California Chrome	Victor Espinoza	Art Sherman	5-6
5	Win the Space	Gary Stevens	George Papaprodromou	100-1
6	Melatonin	Joe Talamo	David Hofmans	20-1
7	War Story	Scott Speith	Mario Serey Jr.	100-1
8	Shaman Ghost	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Jimmy Jerkens	25-1
9	Hoppertunity	John Velazquez	Bob Baffert	20-1
10	Arrogate	Mike Smith	Bob Baffert	11-4

Position	Horse
1.	California Chrome
2.	Arrogate
3.	Frosted
4.	Melatonin
5.	Hoppertunity
6.	Win the Space
7.	Keen Ice
8.	Effinex
9.	Shaman Ghost
10.	War Story

Odds provided by Oddschecker and accurate as of November 2.

California Chrome Favourite for More Glory

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Having come agonisingly close to Triple Crown glory in 2014 with wins at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, it was anticipated that California Chrome would slowly wind down in the remaining years of his career.

However, a couple of years on from the heartbreak at the Belmont Stakes, when he was trodden on and injured coming out of the gate in pursuit of the Triple Crown, the five-year-old is still going strong. 

Indeed, trainer Art Sherman's thoroughbred is the big favourite to add another chapter to his distinguished legacy at the Breeders' Cup, especially with Victor Espinoza on board. The legendary jockey steered American Pharoah to a stunning Triple Crown in 2015.

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

Alicia Wincze Hughes of BloodHorse.com captured California Chrome, who won over the 1 ½-mile distance at the Dubai World Cup in March, in action as he prepared for Saturday's showdown:

"He's bigger, he's stronger, he's more focused," Sherman said of his stallion ahead of the Classic, per Michael Driscoll of the Wall Street Journal. "He just looks gorgeous right now. His coat shines like a copper penny. He makes you proud of him."

California Chrome certainly looks like the horse to beat in the Santa Anita showpiece, although there is quality elsewhere in the field.

Arrogate is a horse punters may look to who are seeking a little more value on their slip. Under the watch of legendary trainer Bob Baffert, the three-year-old has enjoyed a wonderful 2016, including a blistering time of one minute, 59.36 seconds over 1 ¼ miles at the Travers Stakes in August—he won by more than 13 lengths.

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

Per Mike Welsch of Daily Racing Form, the main challenger to California Chrome has showcased searing pace in the buildup to the Classic, too:

If a potential showdown between the veteran star California Chrome and rising star Arrogate wasn't enough, Frosted is another horse that is capable of getting in the mix for the race win in Santa Anita.

Although he was unable to compete with the imperious American Pharoah as he romped to a historic Triple Crown in 2015, there were some exceptional performances in the marquee races from Kiaran McLaughlin's stallion.

Additionally, Frosted has been showing strong form in 2016, winning Grade 1 races at the Metropolitan Handicap and Whitney Handicap. 

Harry How/Getty Images

Unfortunately for Frosted, he was left flailing when he came up against California Chrome in Dubai, eventually coming home in fifth place. Unless the favourite has deteriorated in form significantly since that classy display at Meydan, it's difficult to see how Frosted can get the better of him here.

What will be fascinating is the battle that'll inevitably play out between Arrogate and California Chrome. The former is renowned for starting quickly, and jockey Mike Smith will likely try to get loose out front. However, the speed and versatility of the iconic California Chrome, coupled with the steady head of Espinoza in the saddle, will see him to another memorable win.