2023 Breeders' Cup Classic predictions, odds, post time, contenders: Picks by Santa Anita-based insider

The Bob Baffert-trained Arabian Knight will try to finish off a year that began with so much promise when he faces 11 other horses in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday at Santa Anita Park. A $2.3 million purchase last year, Arabian Knight emerged as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby after winning the Southwest Stakes in January. However, the colt was unable to stay healthy and missed the Triple Crown. He returned in the summer to finish third in the Haskell and win the Pacific Classic. Arabian Knight is the 3-1 favorite in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic odds. Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo was the 7-2 second choice in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic field, but will scratch from the race and be retired. White Abarrio and Ushba Tesoro are now the co-second choices at 4-1 among the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic contenders.

Post time for the 1¼-mile race is 6:40 p.m. ET. With several accomplished horses set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what Santa Anita-based racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu has to say before making any Breeders' Cup Classic picks.

Few people in racing are as well-connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders' Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.

Yu also has tremendous handicapping chops. In a wide-open Kentucky Derby in 2021, she gave out Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first, as the winner at 12-1. In Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager last year, she suggested a play on All Other 3-Year-Olds, which cashed at a whopping 18-1 when Rich Strike won the Derby.

Since the end of February, she has crushed the Saudi Cup, riding a 15-1 winner, nailed Derma Sotogake to win the UAE Derby and hit the exacta in the Santa Anita Derby. She has hit the exacta in the Preakness Stakes and Hollywood Gold Cup and had both the winner and exacta in the Summertime Oaks and the Prince of Wales's Stakes. And in July, she smashed the Haskell Stakes for a $663 score, hitting 12-1 winner Geaux Rocket Ride as well as the exacta.

For Saturday, Yu has handicapped the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic lineup, made her picks and constructed her best bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see them.

Top 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic predictions

One surprise: Yu is high on Zandon, even though he's a longshot at 12-1. A $170,000 purchase two years ago, the four-year-old has earned $2.14 million in his career. In his last start, he won the Woodward Stakes by more than four lengths.

With the scratch of Arcangelo, Zandon will leave from the rail, which Yu likes. "Trainer Chad Brown has told me he prefers the inside post to an outside one in this race because Zandon will be able to save ground without wasting energy," Yu told SportsLine. She is using Zandon prominently in her 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic bets. You can see all of Yu's 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic bets here.

How to make 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic picks

Moreover, Yu's top pick is a horse who has been "impressing everyone." She also is high on a double-digit longshot who "warrants a look in all exotics." She is including these horses in her 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic bets, and so should you. She's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.

So who wins the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic, what double-digit longshot is a must-back, and how has Yu constructed her wagers? Visit SportsLine to see Yu's picks for the Breeders' Cup Classic, and find out.