The Breeders Cup encompasses an annual series of races across a range of disciplines taking place over 2 days. Taking place in November it represents the peak of the season of thoroughbred racing in North America and until recently it had the largest prize pot in international racing with 20 million on offer during the second day of racing in 2007.

There are 14 races in total and all but three must have a maximum of 14 horses participating. Amongst the most popular races are the Marathon, the Juvenile Race, the Sprint, the Classic, the Dirt Mile and the Turf Race. There are so many horses taking part and so much money on the table that there is always excitement in the air. 2009 will see millions of dollars up for grabs once more, with the biggest single prize of 5 million dollars going to the winner of the Breeder's Cup Classic Race, taking place on day 2. Favourite for the Classic is the horse Rip Van Winkle with odds of 13/8 and Papa Clem is the long shot with odds of 50/1.

The first day sees the Breeder's Cup Ladies' Classic with the largest prize fund allocated. Zenyatta is favourite with odds of 10/11 available and Zenyatta is also running in the Classic itself with odds of 4/1 available.

There was a betting scandal back in 2002 when a computer whiz and several cohorts were able to swindle over 3 million dollars out of bookmaker's pockets. Luckily the brashness of their betting habits was the foil to their plan and they were soon discovered and prosecuted.