The Kentucky Derby is the one even that reaches out and grabs even non-racing fans. It is the race that puts the sport on the map.

But, to the horse racing fans, it is Breeders Cup Day that is the highlight of the year. It is the one day (or this year two) where the best of the best come together from sprinters to turf specialists, fillies, mares, colts ,and older horses. There is even a glimpse of greatness to come as Derby hopefuls battle it out in the Juvenile ranks.

It is the place where Street Sense as a baby first stamped himself as early Derby favorite and Triple Crown hopeful as he destroyed his Juvenile field last year by ten lengths.

It is the place where the best in the entire world often humble the best America has to offer, and they do it consistently on the turf courses.

It is also the place where upsets are common. Virtual unknowns like Volponi can defeat classic contenders like War Emblem and Medaglio d’ Oro.

The very first Breeders Cup Classic was won by a horse that paid $64 for the win. Wild Again held off a game favorite in Slew O’ Gold and Preakness winner Gate Dancer in the race’s closest, most thrilling finish ever. Anything can happen on Breeders Cup Day.

Tragedy is often part of the sport and it has not elluded Breeders Cup Day. Last year, the filly Pine Island suffered fatal injuries in the Distaff, and who can forget the gallant Go For Wand’s horrific breakdown in the stretch of the 1990 Distaff.

The concept of the Breeders Cup began so racing could have a year end national event. It is generally expected that unless a horse is injured, if they are close to earning an eclipse award, they show up and earn it on Breeders Cup Day.

Undoubtably, that is the case this year as many honors will be decided this weekend.

This year is particularily exciting because the Triple Crown heroes, save one, are still in the game. Older horses usually have the edge in the Classis, but this year any of the three year olds could win top prize.

The Distaff is anyone’s guess with many top fillies in the race including Unbridled Belle, Lear’s Princess, Lady Joanne, and Ginger Punch.

The Juvenile Fillies paint a similiar picture. Can Irish Smoke return to form, or is she purely a sprinter? Is Indian Blessing good enough to defeat up and comers, Grace Anatomy and A to the Croft? How good are the California fillies?

War Pass is the favorite for the Juvenile since many handicappers are convinced that there is a front running bias at Monmouth. That is true for sprints, but not statistically so for longer races, so that could prove to be a bad assumption.

Statistics also show that Monmouth’s turns are really not as tight as people believe, so to throw Curlin out because of his big stride could also be a mistake.

Now, throw in a wet track (and that is likely), and the whole game changes. It is guaranteed to be a day where champions are crowned, and it will surely once again prove that on Breeders Cup Day anything can happen.