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

The nation's top horses age three and up have converged on Santa Anita Park for the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic, which will run on Saturday. It's the highlight of the fall horse racing schedule and arguably the biggest race of the entire year outside of the Triple Crown. A $6 million purse is on the line, and the Breeders' Cup Classic 2023 field has already seen a major shake up with Arcangelo, who was the second favorite at 7-2 on the morning line, scratched due to injury. Arabian Knight drew post No. 12 and is the 3-1 favorite in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic odds, followed by Ushba Tesoro and White Abarrio at 4-1.

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. Zandon has been automatic when it comes to hitting the board. He's finished fourth or better in every career race and only finished outside the top three one time. The Chad Brown-trained four-year-old colt has been at his best since the calendar has turned to 2023.

Zandon has finished no worse than second in four races this year, a stretch highlighted by a win at the Woodward Stakes on Oct. 1. Zandon doesn't have experience at Santa Anita, but Yu likes the choice of jockey Frankie Dettori, a rider known for his prowess at the track. She is including 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.