Fourteen races, yup, 14, that is what the menu will offer for Breeders’ Cup action this year with 6 BC events carded Friday November 6 and 8 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Let’s take an early look at some of the major players in tentative race order beginning with the $500,000 Marathon at a mile and three quarters.

Team Valor fans may have a vehicle in Gitano Hernando. This colt has only run poorly once, that was when he caught a soft course in the debut. He’s won half of his six races with 2 seconds and is fresh from a win over 10 on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton with a 107 Racing Post Rating.

Night Lite punched his win and you’re in ticket to this race taking the Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes on September 12 as the chalk with a 98 Beyer. In the exacta in 11 of 14 career, he can run to the proverbial cows come home and is in the right hands of classy Todd Pletcher.

Alcomo came back to the game on September 7 after securing his BC status for this race by winning the July Greenwood Cup in Philly.

The pro had a nice tightener despite going wide and he fires just about every time.

If Unusual Suspect shows up, he will be trying to prove the win in the Cougar at Del Mar this year at 24-1 was no fluke. He kicks at times, but is inconsistent.

Last year this race was won by Muhannak, who parlayed a win in the Diamond Stakes in Ireland, which is also a win and you’re in affair.

The gelding got a perfect trip last year and just held together by a diminishing head while posting a 100 Beyer.

The early three speeds last year ran last, second to last and third to last so make sure your play this season can get the distance.

Juveniles are tough to figure out most of the time but add factors like turf, unpredictable fillies, that everybody is trying, that most are trying on a new course and a big field, and the task becomes even more daunting. They will be going a mile in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf and luck will be a factor for sure.

Last year a dozen lined up for this race. The chalk Laragh had 2 and a half lengths on the field turning for home but she wilted to run third after being overtaken by longshots Maram and Heart Shaped.

The winner Maram came back $24.20 and that despite the fact she was winning her third race in a row to remain unbeaten. She was coming off a neck win in the Grade 3 Ms. Grillo but only posted an 87 Beyer BC Day.

This season Bay to Bay went to the head of the class taking the Natalma at Woodbine on September 19 but she has had a couple of tough races in a row and could be losing a bit of her good form. She will be facing Western speed and will be making her first start outside of Canada.

The Euros to watch include Lady of the Desert, Full Mandate and Hibaayeb.

The fastest ladies in the land will line up in the Filly and Mare Sprint at the demanding distance of 7 furlongs and it once again may be an open and shut case if Ventura decides to defend her title. She won this race last year coming from dead last with a 105 Beyer, proved she is on her game with a September 20 score in the Woodbine Mile vs. males and basically just invents ways to win.

Even though she earned a guaranteed berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile, she will likely shorten up for the Sprint. Bobby Frankel trains and manager of owner Juddmonte, Garrett O'Rourke, had this to say after the score, O’Rourke: "She loves Santa Anita, with the one-turn seven furlongs on the Polytrack. A mile is pushing the limits of her stamina."

This race came up chalky last year so players may want to be careful before shooting for this moon in this race.