The weather may not be cooperating in New Jersey for this year’s Breeders’ Cup, but the stars sure have aligned to attract the deepest, most anticipated Classic field in the 24-year history of racing’s signature championship event.

In the Classic, Lawyer Ron, Any Given Saturday, Street Sense and Curlin loom the major players, although strong cases can even be made for a few others.

Lawyer Ron has a tendency to get awfully headstrong early in his races, and while the short run to the first turn at Saratoga played to his advantage, the configuration of the Monmouth oval may be to his detriment. Street Sense is certainly plausible, and has a history of running very well after prepping on a synthetic surface, but wonder if the edge he held over his rivals in early May still exists.

That leaves Any Given Saturday and Curlin. The former was awesome in the Haskell, yet Curlin was clearly not at his best that day having just recently completed all three legs of the Triple Crown. Time in Saratoga this fall did him a world of good, and any progress off his Jockey Club Gold Cup prep would earn him Horse of the Year honors.

CLASSIC: 1st - Curlin; 2nd - Any Given Saturday; 3rd - Street Sense; 4th - Lawyer Ron.

The Breeders’ Cup Turf hosts heavy favorite Dylan Thomas, and doesn’t appear a spot to try to predict chaos.

Better Talk Now is reportedly coming into this race very well, and has handled soft ground as evidenced by his 2004 Turf victory over a course rated “Yielding” at Lone Star Park. Either defending champion Red Rocks or English Channel seem logical to complete the running order.

TURF: 1st - Dylan Thomas; 2nd - Better Talk Now; 3rd - Red Rocks; 4th - English Channel.

The Distaff may be one of the more wide-open affairs, yet Indian Vale merits another chance after running entirely too well to lose her latest.

In the Beldame, she raced inside of pace-setting Ice Cool Kitty early, took over around the turn, repelled a challenge from Ginger Punch through the lane, only to be caught at the line by Unbridled Belle.

Indian Vale has yet to lose at this distance around two turns, and should sit a good trip from the outside, followed by Lear’s Princess, Lady Joanne and Unbridled Belle.

DISTAFF: 1st - Indian Vale; 2nd - Lear’s Princess; 3rd - Lady Joanne; 4th - Unbridled Belle.

In the Breeders’ Cup Mile, several favorites appear vulnerable, so take a long look at long shot Host, who is at 30-1 in the morning-line. Host endured a strange journey last out at Woodbine, yet rallied well late and now gets Garrett Gomez, who handles one-run closing types very well.

Jeremy is also a serious threat in the top slot as he draws better than the top Euro hope Excellent Art, whom he finished in close attendance to two races back.

Silent Name and Excellent Art should also be included in Mile superfecta wagers.

MILE: 1st - Host; 2nd - Jeremy; 3rd - Silent Name; 4th - Excellent Art.

The Breeders’ Cup Sprint lost some early gas with the scratch of Attila’s Storm, but may still setup nicely for Smokey Stover, who handled this course in early September and may be able to work out a pocket trip from the rail.

Kelly’s Landing has been away since a victory in Dubai in March, but has run well fresh, while both Midnight Lute and Greg’s Gold have accomplishments difficult to ignore.

SPRINT: 1st - Smokey Stover; 2nd - Kelly’s Landing; 3rd — Midnight Lute; 4th - Greg’s Gold.

In the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Timarwa ventures across the pond for John Oxx, who has raced runners sparingly in this event. She will offer a wonderful price, and could surprise, while Honey Ryder will also be included in multi-race tickets.

Others expected to make their presence felt are Passage of Time and Nashoba’s Key.

F&M TURF: 1st - Timarwa; 2nd - Honey Ryder; 3rd -Passage of Time; 4th - Nashoba’s Key.

In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Tale of Ekati was an emphatic winner of the Futurity in mid-September, but a recent wicked workout may have been too fast, so there lies some concern. Salute the Sarge may provide the upset if able to improve off his first two-turn effort most recently, as Shore Do and War Pass are others capable of earning a share.

JUVENILE: 1st - Salute the Sarge; 2nd - Tale of Ekati; 3rd - Shore Do; 4th - War Pass.

To start the day, the girls get their turn in the Juvenile Fillies, and eyes will be on undefeated Indian Blessing. A Spa-debut winner, she has yet to prove herself at this distance, but has proven her immense talent, and should begin the day in logical order. Completing the placings could be a combination of Grace Anatomy, Clearly Foxy, and Izarra, who represents Ron McAnally’s first Cup starter since Tout Charmant in 2000.

JUVENILE FILLIES: 1st - Indian Blessing; 2nd - Izarra; 3rd - Grace Anatomy; 4th - Clearly Foxy.

Handicappers can go weeks without being able to find anything appealing about horses 20-1, 30-1, or even higher. That is not the case today, which is why the Breeders’ Cup — with deep, talent-filled fields — offers substantial reward for both horses and handicappers alike, both of which wouldn’t be hurt by a little racing luck.