Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Projected field, odds and analysis

The two-day Breeders' Cup championship event at Del-Mar features 13 Grade 1 races. Six of those contests will be held on the grass, including the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf for three-year olds and up.

Depending on the turf course configuration at the Breeders' Cup host track, the race is traditionally run at either 1 1/4 miles or 1 3/8 miles. Due to the layout of the Del Mar turf course, this year's edition will be conducted at a distance of 1 1/8-miles.

European-based horses, usually dominant on the grass at any level, have won just seven of the 18 editions of this race, therefore, North American-based contenders should not be overlooked for the top spot here. 

Only five favorites in the 18 have won this race, and just one top betting choice has won in the past decade.

The lineup is still somewhat unclear, but here's an early look at possible starters with odds by Horse Racing Nation:

Avenge [20-1 (War Front) Mandella - 16-7-0-3 - $868,341] Challenge Winner - Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1)

Back-to-back winner of the Rodeo Drive now appears to be in top form again. Looks to be in as good as shape as she was last year heading into this championship event, where she finished 3rd after being over taken in deep stretch. Shorter distance this year may help.

Birdie Gold [30-1 (Birdstone) Villarroel - 5-4-1-0 - $49,434] Challenge Winner - Clasico Pamplona (G1)

A winner in four of five career starts, this South American invader sports a big Group 1 win in her home country of Peru. The victory was only her career second start around two turns and on the turf, following a runner-up effort in her initial stakes try. She could be any kind. 'X' factor.

Cambodia [15-1 (War Front) Proctor - 13-6-0-5 - $443,746

Has absolutely flourished since switching to the turf late in her juvenile season. In her 10 career races on the grass, she's never finished out of the money. Her turf resume boasts six wins, including a pair of Grade 2 victories over the Del-Mar green, and four 3rd-place finishes. Ultra consistent mare has upset potential.

Dacita [6-1 (Scat Daddy) Brown - 20-10-5-1 - $1,498,369] Challenge Winner - Beverly D Stakes (G1)

The Beverly D winner just missed by a neck in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl. She has captured wins in 10 of her 20 career starts, including a pair of Grade 1 races here in the States. Finished 9th in this race two years ago after encountering early trouble. Strong late runner must be respected.

Goodyearforroses [18-1 (Azamour) Baltas - 19-7-2-2 - $476,840]

Following moderate success in Canada under a Hall of Fame trainer, she has been kept in good form since landing in her current barn late last season. Disappointed when sent favored in the Rodeo Drive last time out. A bit of an 'in and outer' at this level.

Grand Jete [8-1 (Dansili) Brown - 13-4-3-4 - $335,828]

Much the best horse when unlucky at Arlington in the Beverly D, where she was blocked in traffic until late in the race, then flying home to dead-heat for second. Set the pace in the Flower Bowl before tiring. Probably haven't seen her best yet.

Hydrangea [6-1 (Galileo) O'Brien - 14-3-5-2 - $796,725] Challenge Winner - Matron Stakes (G1)

After four straight defeats to star stablemate, Winter, she turned the tables on that one in the Matron Stakes. Fell a head bob short to another barn mate in the G1 Prix de l'Opera. She'll stay the nine-furlongs.

Kitten's Roar [20-1 (Kitten's Joy) Maker - 18-6-7-2 - $715,268]

Multiple stakes-placed mare has placed in 15 of 18 career starts. Failed to hold in the latter stages of the G1 E.P. Taylor battling with a top-level European invader. Cutting back in distance off her last four races, but looks suitable going nine-furlongs. One to consider for exotics.

Lady Eli [5-2 (Divine Park) Brown - 13-10-3-0 - $2,939,800

Phenomenal mare has 10 wins, five of which are G1, and three seconds in 13 lifetime starts. Has captured at least one Grade 1 race every year since her juvenile campaign. Suffered an agonizing loss in this race last year. Best grass filly in North America. Strictly the one to beat.

Queen's Trust [10-1 (Dansili) Stoute - 13-2-1-3 - $1,549,592]

In this race last year, she put forth an incredible display of determination with her late run from far back to get up in time to nip Lady Eli at the wire. Is winless in five starts in 2017, but the top company she has kept is world class. Will love the firm ground here. No questioning this gal's class.

Responsibleforlove [25-1 (Duke of Marmalade) Drydale - 11-4-3-2 - $170,879]

Irish-bred filly spent her juvenile and sophomore seasons racing in Italy where she won three races. Her only stateside victory came two races back going nine-furlongs over the Del-Mar turf course. Needs softer competition.

Rhododendron [5-1 (Galileo) O'Brien - 10-4-3-1 - $1,067,070] Challenge Winner - Prix de L'Opera (G1)

Tried matching strides with Enable a quarter-mile from the wire in the G1 Investec Oaks, but she faded in the late stages of the contest. Fought tooth and nail on soft ground with her stablemate in the straightaway to win the Prix de L'Opera. Favorite in 7 of her 10 races. She's all class.

Roly Poly [4-1 (War Front) O'Brien - 16-6-4-0 - $939,537]

Took a couple of starts to get untracked this year, but once she did, she accumulated a trio of Group 1 wins and was runner-up in two others. The nine-furlong distance will be the furthest she's attempted, but she's a tough filly who is difficult to deny on the lead. Can't be ruled out.

Senga [12-1 (Blame) Bary - 9-3-1-2 - $761,854]

Multiple Group winner this year has raced exclusively in France. Most of her success has come racing at a mile, but she did take the Group 1 Prix de Diane traveling 10.5-furlongs. Gets the 'Dark Horse' label.

Usherette [30-1 (Sharmadal) Fabre - 14-7-0-3 - $284,684] First or third in 10 of 14 career races, including seven wins. Her four off-the-board placings all came against top level company. To her credit though, she did finish 3rd competing in the Group 1 Prix D'Ispahan at nine-furlongs. Seems to be in a bit too deep.

War Flag [15-1 (War Front) McGaughey - 9-5-3-1 - $454,660] Challenge Winner - Flower Bowl Stakes (G1)

Since coming over from France, this filly has improved with each outing. Received a perfect setup when delivering the biggest performance of her young career in winning the Flower Bowl. Never worse than third in nine starts. Unlikely to get a perfect setup in a much larger and tougher field.

Wuheida [12-1 (Dubawai) Appleby - 6-2-1-1 - $356,941]

Is still a work in progress with only six lifetime races. Three-year-old runner has faced some of the best fillies on the grass in Europe with several strong G1 performances. She definitely fits with these.

Zipessa [20-1 (City Zip) Stidham - 16-5-3-3 - $783,550] Challenge Winner - First Lady Stakes (G1)

Upset winner of the First Lady Stakes has had a productive 5-year old season in 2017. Getting better with age and has always been consistent. Possesses plenty of early speed if she wants to use it. One mile seems to be her best game.