The Breeders' Cup is greater than the sum of its races. The number of contests is so overwhelming I had to pass on several of the 14 races.

I'm putting up a dartboard for three 25th BC contests because I couldn't form an opinion about: Friday's $1 Million Juvenile Fillies Turf mile, Saturday's $500,000 Marathon at 1 ½ miles and the $1 Million Juvenile Turf mile.

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The remaining Friday card looks like this:

$1 Million Filly and Mare Sprint: Top contenders are both 3-year-old fillies that have 11 victories between them. Indian Blessing, the early 2-1 choice is 2-for-2 at seven furlongs, with a win over the old Santa Anita Cushion Track. Zaftig won twice at the distance on dirt, beating Indian Blessing at a mile. Top challengers: Indyanne or Intangaroo off their synthetic surface form.

$2 Million Juvenile Fillies: The is an All-American race since foreign invaders have never visited the winner's circle. Top contenders: Stardom Bound, 2-1, is 2-2-0 of 4 on synthetic surfaces, scoring at 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 2/5 at Santa Anita. Sky Diva, 7-2, daughter of this year's leading 2-year-old sire Sky Mesa, is 2-for-2 at a mile on dirt. Top challenger: C. S. Silk, 15-1, boasts the highest speed figure.

$2 Million Filly and Mare Turf: Top contenders at the 1 ¼ miles: Dynaforce, 2-2-1 at the distance; Mauralakana, 5-of-7 in 2008 on the turf; and Wait A While, unbeaten in three starts on Santa Anita's grass.

$2 Million Ladies' Classic, 1 1/8 miles: Favorites dominate as 17 of 24 winners were less than 3-1. That probably accounts for the small fields with only eight going the 1 1/8 miles. Top contender: Zenyatta, the 3-5-morning line favorite, is undefeated in eight races, including seven on synthetic surfaces. Top challengers: Ginger Punch, 9-2, last year's winner when the race was called the Distaff, and Carriage, 8-1, who won twice on Polytrack.

$1 Million Turf Sprint: Top contenders going 6 ½ furlongs: California Flag, four victories on grass with Joe Talamo aboard; Mr. Nightlinger, seeking sixth in a row in turf sprints; and Get Funky, the best closer.

$1 Million Dirt Mile: Top contenders include three that opted for this contest instead of the Classic: Well Armed, boasting two route victories this year at Santa Anita; Pyro, with three wins going long in '08; and Mast Track, the likely pacesetter despite a minor quarter crack. Top challenger: Lewis Michael, 2-2-0 of 4 at the distance.

$2 Million Mile: Despite averaging about 13 entries for this grass contest, chalk finished on top nearly one-third of the time. Only Lure in '92 was in front at every call; he repeated in '03, but stalked the pace. Top contenders: Defending champ Kip Deville, 9 of 13 at the distance and 2-for-2 at Santa Anita; Irish-bred Goldikova, 5-2-0 of 7 at a mile; and Whatsthescript, 4-of-8 at the distance.

$2 Million Juvenile: Eighteen winners were among the top three choices. Horses to watch are sired by this year's No. 2 earnings champ Lion Heart (3 for 3 as a 2-year-old): Azul Leon and Silent Valor. Top contenders: Munnings, 7-2, who drew the rail, and Street Hero, 6-1, breaking from post 8 with the best time of 1:42 at the 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.

Upon completion of this horse wagering feature view Doc's horse betting terminology page. Our Preakness stakes betting odds page is also must read when studding horse racing. Doc's Sports Kentucky Derby post positions page is and excellent horse racing resource as well. Since 1971 Doc's Sports has been recognized as a leader and trusted name in sports handicapping information.

$2 Million Sprint, six furlongs: No running style has dominated. There have been five wire-to-wire victories, seven closing from back of the pack and nine turning for home in front. Top contenders: Fatal Bullet, four triumphs at six furlongs on synthetic surfaces, In Summation, 4-2-1 of 8 at the distance; and Street Boss, 6-2-0 of 8 this year in synthetic sprints.

$3 Million Turf: Thirteen European-bred horses have triumphed. Class and form often point to the 1 ½-mile winner. Top contenders: Irish-breds Conduit, Red Rocks, Soldier of Fortune and Bristish-bred Grand Courturier.

$5 Million Classic: Only four horses have won from posts 1-3, including Ghostzapper on the rail in '04 that was only the second wire-to-wire winner since '91 when Black Tie Affair scored off the longest layoff - 49 days. Outside is the place to be as nine won from posts 10 through 14. Top contender: Curlin, who won in '08 from post 11 and this year breaks from No. 9. Curlin, 5 of 6 at 1 ¼ miles, is a deservedly 7-5. Top challengers: Casino Drive, lightly raced with a victory at Santa Anita; Fairbanks, the likely pacesetter going for three straight; and Go Between, 2-3-0 of 5 in '08.