RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—OCTOBER 31, 2017—Defending winner Arrogate and Gun Runner, winner of three consecutive Grade 1 races, meet in the $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday afternoon and you can wager on all of the 13 Breeders’ Cup races worth $28 million in purses at Ruidoso Downs.

The Breeders’ Cup stakes are contested on Friday and Saturday and this year’s edition is known for talented, competitive fields. Both days of racing will be available for wagering at Billy’s Sports Book at Ruidoso Downs.

First post time on Friday is 12:25 p.m. and first post on Saturday is 11:10 a.m.

The highlight on Friday is the $2-million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Breeders’ Cup Classic tops the two days when it is contested on Saturday. There is a special double wager between the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Juddmonte Farms’ Arrogate is the all-time leading money-earning horse at $17,302,600. He earned the bulk of that staggering amount with consecutive wins in last year’s $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic, $12-million Pegasus World Cup and the $10-million Dubai World Cup.

The Bob Baffert-trained Arrogate, at 2-1 on the morning line, has had a slump — by his standards — in his latest two starts. He was fourth in the San Diego Handicap, a prep race, and second in the $1-million Pacific Classic. Each of those races was at Del Mar Turf Club, home of this week’s Breeders’ Cup races.

Arrogate appears to be returning to top form for Baffert with improving works throughout the fall.

The reigning Horse of the Year, Arrogate will be retired to stud at Juddmonte Farm after the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimney Farms’ Gun Runner is the 9-5 morning-line favorite and has been the hot horse since Arrogate defeated Gun Runner in the Dubai World Cup back in March.

The Steve Asmussen-trained Gun Runner then reeled off Grade 1 wins in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga and the Woodward Stakes, also at Saratoga.

In his final workout on Monday at Del Mar, Gun Runner impressed with a confident four-furlong work in :49.40 while under a constant hold.

The Breeders' Cup Distaff may be the best wagering opportunity on the Breeders’ Cup program with its classy, deep field.

It presents older mares Stellar Wind and Forever Unbridled being challenged by three-year-olds Elate and Abel Tasman.

Stellar Wind, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, comes off three consecutive Grade 1 wins in the Apple Blossom Handicap, Beholder Mile and Clement Hirsch Handicap, which was held at Del Mar.

Forever Unbridled, third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff, returned this year to take the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis and then the Grade 1 Personal Ensign.

Elate, a striking filly with exceptional conformation, makes her West Coast debut after winning the Grade 1 Alabama and the Grade 1 Beldame in New York.

Abel Tasman won three consecutive Grade 1 races before finishing a troubled second in the Grade 1 Cotillion in her most recent start. She won the Kentucky Oaks, Acorn Stakes and CCA Oaks before her setback.

The $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile always attracts attention because it could provide clues as to who are the top 1918 Kentucky Derby prospects.

Bolt d’Oro is the 9-5 morning-line favorite with his three-for-three record. He won his maiden Del Mar and then took the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and the Grade 1 Front Runner Stakes, held at Santa Anita Park.

The first Championships race on Friday will be the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, followed by the $1-million Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and the $2-million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Friday's card opens with a $500,000 Pick 5 on races 1-5. There will be a Pick 6 on Races 4-9 with a $500,000 guarantee and an all Breeders' Cup Pick 4 on races 6-9 with a $1.5-million minimum guarantee.

Saturday begins with three undercard races followed by the $2-million 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the $1-million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, the $1-million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, the $2-million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, the $1.5-million Twin Spires Breeders' Cup Sprint, the $2-million Breeders' Cup Mile, the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the $4-million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf and the Breeders' Cup Classic.

On Saturday, there will be a $500,000 guaranteed Pick 5 on races 1-5, an early all Breeders' Cup Pick 4 with a $1-million guarantee on races 5-8, a $2-million guaranteed all Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 on races 7-12 and a $3-million guaranteed all Breeders' Cup Late Pick 4 on races 9-12.

For complete Ruidoso Downs’ information, go to raceruidoso.com, visit the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Facebook page and follow the Ruidoso Press Box (@RuiPressBox) on Twitter.