Breeders' Cup 2011 Horses: Filly Havre De Grace Will Beat the Boys in Classic

Havre de Grace will win the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, accomplishing what fellow female Zenyatta could not last year.

I admittedly know very little about horse racing. Two weeks ago, I thought the Breeders Cup was a gentleman's contest between Shawn Kemp, Travis Henry and Evander Holyfield.

But even I know that Havre de Grace is a smart bet in the Classic.

The morning lines have the four-year-old filly at 3-1 odds, just behind 5-2 favorite Uncle Mo.

Rather than run in the $2 million Ladies' Classic, Havre de Grace is attempting to become just the second filly to win the $5 million Classic prize. Her owner Rick Porter is confident that chasing the big money was the right move.

"She belongs in this race. She fits. I think everybody knows she fits," Porter said. "I wouldn't run a filly against the colts—and quite honestly, I wouldn't run most any horse in a big race against that group of horses—if I didn't think we had a very good chance of being 1-2-3. If I don't belong, I just step aside."

Porter also entered Havre de Grace in the Ladies' race as insurance. He was worried about landing in the one-post, but they drew the 10th post, sandwiched between Stay Thirsty and Headache.

Porter said he thinks a few horses will make moves from the outside, leaving Havre de Grace in prime position.

"All we want to do is win," Porter said. "I'm happy with the post position."

The Classic field is one of the most wide open in recent memory. With no dominant horse in the race, I expect Havre de Grace to step up.

She has won five of her six races this year and is in contention for Horse of the Year honors.

Today, she will put the finishing touches on her 2011 season by beating the boys.