These are the five best Breeders' Cup races of 2020

With 201 horses pre-entered in 14 races, this year's Breeders' Cup is filled with depth and star power. But not all races are created equal.

Some fans are thrilled by a favorite living up to expectations by putting forth a championship-level performance. Others prefer a wide-open race filled with fantastic betting opportunities. 

Experts have offered HRN their thoughts about the best Breeders' Cup races Nov. 6 and 7 at Keeneland.

Filly & Mare Turf - Jason Blewitt, Gulfstream Park TV analyst

This looks like one of the deepest BC Filly & Mare Turf fields in history. And I have seen them all going back to Soaring Softly’s win for Jimmy Toner in 1999.

Between the classy Euro contingent and the impressive roster of American-based horses, this is the Breeders’ Cup race I am looking forward to the most. The fact that this is Rushing Fall’s career swan song (I believe she will land in racing's Hall of Fame in the future) makes this race that much more special.

Filly & Mare Sprint - Michelle Yu, Santa Anita Park TV analyst

Racing's best assemble next weekend to throw down, and I think the "best" race can go so many ways. Definite star power in the Classic with a trio of Baffert trainees squaring off with a who's who of older horses.

The Sprint is stacked with opportunity of east vs. west, speed against closers and blue bloods facing claimers.

But I think the "best" race, the most interesting and a good betting spot, is the Filly & Mare Sprint.

At first glance you want to think Gamine is unstoppable, but she hasn't tangled with the speed and tenacity of Serengeti Empress, and her trouncing of Venetian Harbor has a big asterisk thanks to a funky "save horse" ride on Venetian Harbor that day.

Speech owns a Grade 1 win at the track, and Mike McCarthy is confident on her versatility shining through on the turnback to sprinting. Then you throw in Frank's Rockette off a facile score, and we can't forget Bell's The One, who all this hot pace will favor as we saw her wear down the ultra gritty Serengeti Empress in their last head to head.

No matter what way you shake it, this is the best race of the weekend.

[Related - 201 horses pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup]

Mile - Matt Dinerman, Golden Gate Fields track announcer

The Breeders' Cup Mile is an intriguing race for a few reasons. Not only does the 2020 edition have an attractive blend of top-class North American turf milers with equally impressive milers from across the pond, but the Mile may be one of the best betting races this year. It wouldn't be surprising if the favorite goes off at anywhere between 4-1 and 5-1.

You'll likely see legit Grade 1-caliber racers going off at overlays, and exotic wagers will likely produce strong payouts. It's anybody's race. Another enjoyable aspect of the turf Mile is the fun of seeing multiple fillies and mares taking on male counterparts.

Last year Uni displayed a devastating turn of speed and showed her heels to the boys in a fantastic effort. She looks to defend her title over a number of new shooters this year, some of which are making their first starts in a Breeders' Cup race.

Juvenile Fillies - Mike Shutty, HRN Super Screener author

This year’s edition of the Juvenile Fillies is coming up very strong. You don’t see two horses scoring out at 100 on our Super Screener very often, but that’s what we have here with Vequist and Simply Ravishing.

Key in this race is to favor fillies with strong efforts going two turns and/or knocking out 95+ BRIS Pace/Speed Rating figures throughout their final prep. That kind of balance will usually win this race.

Looking for a long shot? This was always known as a chalky race, but over the last seven editions, four of those races were won by a 20-1 or more long shot. Historically you can count on a long shot closer to finish third or fourth.

Crazy Beautiful looks like the play this year. Also note no trainer has hit the board more often in this race over the past few years than Ken McPeek, who has both Simply Ravishing and Crazy Beautiful in this race. A strong hand for a very strong race, indeed.

Classic - Padraic Manocchio, HRN Content Producer

There are so many fantastic races in this year's Breeders' Cup, but it is hard to pick another race over the Classic. I've never seen a race in which the likely favorite changed every month for five months leading up to the race. Maximum Security, Tom's d'Etat, Tiz the Law, Authentic and Improbable all have taken turns as the frontrunner, and all five have legitimate chances to win this race. 

Not only is this a must-watch due to star power, but it also offers fantastic betting opportunities. I like an exacta box of Tiz the Law and Tom's d'Etat and will be betting trifectas with those two runners on top. The payouts will be substantial despite keying to of the most reliable horses in racing.

There will be seven Grade 1 winners in this field. It should take a superstar performance to win the Classic, and that is exactly what we will witness next Saturday.