Breeders Cup Classic Rankings Top 5 with Personal Odds

1. California Chrome 5/2

Chrome's win in the Pacific Classic was impressive. But things figure to get much tougher for the world's best horse as we get closer and closer to the 2016 Breeders Cup. Chrome got an easy lead in the P. Classic. That won't happen if Arrogate decides to join the fray. Then again, Chrome can relax on the lead. He doesn't need the lead. He's racing at such a high-level right now that it's hard to see him taking a step back in the Classic.

2. Arrogate 4/1

The big question is whether or not Arrogate freaked or if he is a freak. He certainly looks like a freak to me. Will he bounce?  Maybe. Or, he could also just be better than any other horse likely to enter the Breeders Cup Classic. I'm leaning towards the second statement. He looked so comfortable cruising on the lead, he responded so well when Mike Smith hit him with the whip that I have to put him second on my rankings. There are a lot of horseplayers who need validation. I don't. This is an incredibly bred horse trained by the best trainer in history. That validates it for me. 

3. Beholder - 6/1 

The superstar mare has now lost 2 races in a row. Losing in the Clement L. Hirsch wasn't all that bad. She didn't seem comfortable on the rail. Losing in the Pacific Classic to California Chrome shouldn't be held against her. Chrome is a special horse who got an easy lead. She still finished second ahead of Dortmund. I think Beholder will have a huge shot if Arrogate and California Chrome butt heads in the first half mile of this year's Breeders Cup Classic.

 

4. Frosted - 8/1

He looked sensational winning the Grade 1 Metropolitan. He followed it up with a terrific win in the Grade 1 Whitney. He'll most likely prep only once before going for broke in the Breeders Cup Classic. I  have Frosted ahead of Melatonin on my list because he could have developed into a classic distance horse. The words everybody should remember is could have. At this point, there's no telling if Frosted can get the 1 1/4 miles distance of the Classic. If he can, he could upset the horses I have in front of him on this list. 

5. Melatonin - 12/1  

After watching his Holllywood Gold Cup win this past June again, one word comes to mind: guts. This horse is one gutsy animal. Guts will only get you so far when you're facing monsters like California Chrome, Arrogate and Beholder. Melatonin could have a huge say in the outcome, though. If he slogs it out with Arrogate and California Chrome early on in the Classic, Beholder and Frosted should be in position to get to the finish line first.