Early Favorites to win the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic

If you're fond of horseshit splattered all over your face, feel free to read this.

The 2008 Breeders' Cup world championships are coming and it will feature top class thoroughbred racing that will decide the year-end championship honors slated on October 24 and 25 at the Santa Anita Park.

The main event, if you will, is of course, the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic where the very best thoroughbreds will compete with some of the favorites to win it this year. Who are the favorites? Thoroughbreds like Big Brown, Colonel John, Pyro, Well Armed and Curlin should be some of 'em and here's why.

Big Brown has a record of 7-6-0-0 and is arguably the top contender to win the 2008 Breeders' Cup. Trained by Richard E. Dutrow, last year's Kentucky Derby champion was the second winner in history to break from post position 20. This colt is also the first horse since 1915 to win the Derby after only three lifetime starts.

Next we have Colonel John, the winner of the $1 million Travers Stakes Grade 1 by a nose at Saratoga last August 23. The contender worked four furlongs last September 14 on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface in 48 4/5 for trainer Eoin Harty. The colt is listed in the top three favorites headed for the $5 million 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic at the Oak Tree in the Santa Anita meet.

A Kentucky homebred son of Tiznow-Sweet Damsel, by Turkoman, Colonel John won both the Sham Stakes Grade III and Santa Anita Derby Grade 1 on Santa Anita's main track earlier this year. However, those races were run on a hybrid synthetic track consisting of both Pro-Ride and Cushion Track materials.

Well Armed could create some noise as well. Owner Bill Casner and trainer Eoin Harty were feeling quite satisfied watching Well Armed earning a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic via a Breeders' Cup Challenge victory in the Goodwood Stakes. The colt has 22 points on the 2008 Breeders' Cup leader board as well as $1,160,000 earnings this year.

Probably the most anticipated showdown in the 2008 Breeders' Cup will be the winner-take-all battle for Horse of the Year between Big Brown and Curlin. Curlin, considered to be one of the most naturally gifted horses in recent years, exploded from a virtual unknown to Preakness winner in mere months by showing speed and tenacity beyond his experience.

It should be one heckuva' race.

Who will win the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic? Bodog sportsbook has the odds

Behindatthebar 41.00

Big Brown 6.00

Casino Drive 15.00

Colonel John 9.00

Commentator 17.00

Curlin 4.00

Divine Park 21.00

Duke Of Marmalade 6.00

Go Between 9.00

Harlem Rocker 26.00

Mambo in Seattle 51.00

Mast Track 51.00

Pyro 21.00

Student Council 26.00

Tiago 26.00

Well Armed 11.00

Zenyatta 15.00

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Breeders' Cup Classic Curlin