In horse racing, it really doesn't get any better than what you've got going on Saturday at Del Mar, outside of the Triple Crown or the Breeders Cup.

The Pacific Classic, which is set for a 9:15 PM ET post, is so laden with top-level talent that it is like an Ali vs. Frazier vs. Joe Louis situation.

We're not exaggerating very much. What you have here are horses who have won five Eclipse Awards between them and have 19 Grade I wins under their belt. One of them is pursuing his second Horse of the Year award in the last three years, while another will be trying to defend HER title.

Strategically it is interesting too, because two of the three superstars in this race are in what can be considered an advantageous post position, while the other may be in the worst spot of all.

Here are the horse racing odds on the Pacific Classic, as they have been posted at BetAnySports (and obviously they are subject to change):

(1) California Chrome +160
(2) Hoppertunity +800
(3) War Story +3000
(4) Hard Aces +1500
(5) Win the Space +1500
(6) Imperative +2000
(7) Beholder +300
(8) Dortmund +250
(9) Dalmore +2000

The favorite here is California Chrome, a Kentucky Derby winner from a couple of years ago who has won four consecutive races and may well be on his way to that Horse of the Year award, which he won in 2014. Chrome has won the Dubai World Cup this year, as well as the San Diego Handicap, which was his first race in four months.

In the latter race he tracked down Dortmund, the pace-setter, in the deep stretch, bringing home the victory by a half a length. Dortmund, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby to American Pharoah last year, has won two Grade I events - the Los Alamitos Futurity in 2014 and last year's Santa Anita Derby, which led him into two of the three Triple Crown races (he did not run in the Belmont). But in the losing effort to Chrome on July 23 right there at Del Mar, he registered his best Beyer Speed Figure ever (110).

And speaking of Beyer Speed Figures, Beholder, the only female to win this race, posted a 114 Beyer in last year's effort, winning by 8-1/4 lengths against a field that was clearly outclassed. This is a different caliber of opposition she's facing. Gary Stevens rode both Beholder and Dortmund in their last respective efforts, but he will be aboard the lady on Saturday, operating out of the #7 spot.

There has been a lot of talk about how unfortunate it was the California Chrome drew the rail here. Clearly this was something trainer Art Sherman did not want. But he nonetheless puts on a defiant face for the media. "You can place him just about anywhere you want. He's coming in as good as I've seen him."

Well, BetAnySports patrons might want to know that while racing here in America, Chrome has drawn the inside twice and finished sixth both times. One was very early in his career - in the Golden State Juvenile, and the other was after the Triple Crown races, in the Pennsylvania Derby. The sport's leading all-time money winner (over $12.6 million) likes to stay outside of opponents, in a stalking position if possible. So it will take some maneuvering on the part of Victor Espinoza to get him to that preferred spot. One factor that is in aid of that strategy is that it is quite a distance to the first turn.

It is difficult to argue with the notion that it is the top three stars and then everyone else, although most of the others are quite accomplished. One of the contenders said to be on the rise is Dalmore, which didn't break maiden until his sixth race and then had a very rough time of it in the Wood Memorial, finishing 48 lengths off the pace. But the Keith Desormeaux-trained horse, ridden by brother Kent, has rebounded nicely and improved the Beyer figure every time, with a 102 in winning the Grade III Affirmed on July 2. If one of the favorites falters, can this be a surprise at a mile and a quarter?

BetAnySports is your home for great racebook action, and that means the Pacific Classic, all the way through to the Breeders Cup and beyond! Make your deposits using the virtual currency of Bitcoin and we will meet you in the winner's circle!