Breeders' Cup Classic: Game On Dude leads repeat contenders

After a flurry of important races on Sept. 29, this past weekend was a quiet one in regards to the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Classic, with no races that impacted the field.

As present, it looks like approximately a dozen runners will be in the $5 million, 1 1/4-mile Classic, including five horses who ran in last year’s race – the first four finishers, plus the beaten favorite.

[BREEDERS’ CUP 2013: See DRF’s top contenders]

The first four, in order, were Fort Larned, Mucho Macho Man, Flat Out, and Ron the Greek, while Game On Dude was the beaten favorite. Game On Dude has not lost since, and is currently considered the ante-post favorite for this year’s Classic. Like last year, this year’s Breeders’ Cup will be run at Santa Anita.

Game On Dude and Mucho Macho Man already are at Santa Anita. Fort Larned is at Churchill Downs, while both Flat Out and Ron the Greek are in New York. Fort Larned, Flat Out, and Ron the Greek are not scheduled to travel to California until early the week of the race.

Pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup are due on Oct. 21, and are announced Oct. 23. Final entries are taken, and post positions drawn, on Oct. 28.