The big money will be on the line with the final four BC races Saturday November 7 as the Mile and Sprint offer $2 million purses, the Turf has a $3 million pot and the granddaddy of them all, the Classic, has a sweet $5 million prize.

First a word of caution. Granted some Europeans will be players in this year’s Cup but bettors have to know that their season is over, they are starting to grow a winter coat, and now must travel half way around the world to a likely very hot climate to compete. You must factor that into any Euro price you are tempting to take.

Also know this, that in the 8 Pro-Ride BC races in Arcadia last year, over 25% of the runners prepped on dirt and they all blanked.

The Mile had been a great place to mine for gold over the years and the $1 superfecta had been the caveat with an average payoff of over $24,000 going into last year.

In the Mile in 2008 at Anita things were turned upside down price-wise as favorite Goldikova cashed, with the 2nd and third choices right behind and the 6th horse completing the ‘super’ for a pale $866 payoff.

With Goldikova back for more this year and the one to beat bettors will have to look at the under prices to get paid. The defending champ is coming to the race sharp as ever and will be a handful. She needed her last and was not fully extended but can build on her $3 million career bankroll with a clear trip.

The value players underneath include Cowboy Cal, Ferneley, Diamondrella and Zacinto.

Speed kills, at least it does on the back streets of the big cities, but the Sprint is where the trailblazers shine. The hardest thing for handicappers concerning this race is to hope to get a good trip. There is sure to be a free-for-all from the get go and a horse just can’t get stopped.

Again, prices have been solid in this race over the years before last season. In 2008 Midnight Lute, who was coming off a 2-month layoff, came running as the 2nd choice to key a horrible $242 ‘super’ but the average $1 ‘super’ over the years has been nearly $22,000 and the average winner has popped at 10-1.

The key to making money this year is if you do or do not embrace Zensational. He will likely be the chalk but could very well be vulnerable and the feeling is if he is looked in the eye early, and he will be, he could blink.

Look for these possible upsetters to thrive. Gayego, fresh from a clever win over the strip, could be a handful with a projected hot pace. Fatal Bullet proved he was the real deal completing the exacta in this race last year and recently posted a 104 Beyer taking a G3 at Keeneland in October debut. If Go Go Shoot appears rates a long shot glance. He hated the slop in the Vosburgh, fires just about every time and brings :21 and small change speed.

From speedballs to marathoners as the Turf goes next at a mile and a half. Precious Passion punched his ticket to the race with a win in the Hirsch over the course on October 11 but it may be a phony score as he caught a paceless race and was allowed to control the pace and the outcome. Would think long and hard about betting on a repeat.

Conduit is a distance specialist and looms a legit player.

John Gosden, who knows a thing or two about Santa Anita, has a shooter in this race with Dar Re Mi. The filly is a multiple Group 1 winner and was only beaten just over 3 lengths in the Arc by Sea of Stars. Also think about triple Group 1 winner Stacelita in the exotics as she is off a poor Arc performance but could rebound at a price.

A local to consider is Midships. He was fried in a duel in his last defeat, does not lead the need to win, but could get away on the board.

This year’s Classic is not to be confused with some of the great Classics of the past but that does not mean there is not quality here. You still have to show up and perform.

Would have liked to see Sea The Stars come over, because he was a bet against in my opinion, but he has ended his career. Zenyatta could run in this race, but the lean is for her patient connections to stick with her own kind.

Summer Bird figures in the thick of it. The distance will be no problem as he took the Belmont, he was up against the track bias when second to Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell, and continues to improve with two wins since, the last with a 111 Beyer in the Gold Cup at Belmont.

Aidan O’Brien has a pair of players in Mastercraftsman and Rip Van Winkle. The latter is far from a sleeper but he is as game as they come while the former started the year slow but was only beaten a length by Sea the Stars in July, than won a pair of Group 1s.

The smart guys will be on Einstein and he can run.

As far as betting strategy in the Classis is concerned, know that the average win payoff is over $30 so don’t be scared to take a swing. Last season, Raven’s Pass came from third to last to win going away and the ‘super’ came back over 10 grand.

Get your rest, do your due diligence, bring a bankroll and good luck.