This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman take an early look at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. Eight weeks out, your hosts take a deep dive into both the Classic and Distaff, which are shaping up to be intriguing events.

Matt and Brian take a look at three groups of contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, American 3-year-olds, American older horses and international runners. Authentic is the most recent 3-year-old to win the Classic in 2020, and sophomores also did it three years in a row from 2014 to 2016. This year’s group includes recent Travers winner Fierceness. This could be one of the strongest groups of international runners to try the Classic. Past victories by internationals include Raven’s Pass in 2008 and the historic long shot Arcangues in 1993.

Thorpedo Anna is the horse to beat in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff after dominating the American females and getting to within a head of a victory in the Travers. The guys lay out the probable competition for the 3-year-old filly at the world championships at Del Mar on Nov. 3.

Happy 10th birthday to HorseCenter and a big thank you to the viewers who made it possible for Brian and Matt to do the show for all of these years.