OTB Breeders' Cup Classic

In the 30-year history of the Breeders’ Cup series, there has only been one back-to-back winner of the BC Classic, so Fort Larned will be bucking a lot of history when he goes to the gate Saturday at Santa Anita for the $5,000,000 showcase race. Listed at 6-1 on the morning line, Fort Larned has had an erratic 2013, dumping his rider at the gate to start the year in the Gulfstream Park Handicap, and twice finishing fifth in races where he was favored. In between, he won the Grade I Stephen Foster, and also easily won his Classic prep, the un-graded Homecoming Stakes.

Favorite has not lost a race this season

Fans of Fort Larned would like to see a repeat of last year’s Classic, where he went virtually unchallenged on the lead until deep stretch. That’s not likely to happen this year as there are several speed horse in the field who will want to go with him. Chief among them is the ML favorite, Game On Dude (8-5), who is five-for-five in races this year, including three Grade I’s, with two coming at Santa Anita. But while other Classic contenders have been battling each other all summer, it could be argued Game On Dude has been facing lesser competition.

Mucho Macho Man hopes to get there this time

Last year Mucho Macho Man closed late to almost catch Fort Larned, and he will be trying to do that again here, and he has been installed as the 5-1 second choice. After a very disappointing trip through the Triple Crown Series, Will Take Charge has appeared to be a different horse over the last few months, and at 12-1 he could be the best longshot chance if he can run them down. The wildcard in the race is the UK shipper Declaration of War (10-1), who has Group I wins to his credit, but who is making his first start on North American soil.

The post time for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic is 5:35 PM PDT