1. It’s the best horses from the whole year competing against each other.

2. You might see Big Brown win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and his 7th win in 8 starts.

3. You might see Curlin beat Big Brown in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

4. You may see improving horse Colonel John beat both Big Brown and Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

5. You’ll get to see which horse will win the Eclipse Award for the Horse of the Year.

6. You’ll get to see foreign horses race on North American soil for the first time.

7. You’ll get to watch all five female horse races run on Friday, October 24.

8. The Breeders’ Cup has grown and improved every year.

9. For three straight years ESPN will do coverage of the races.

10. There is more betting info on these races than on any other ones all year.

Everyone’s talking about Curlin, but what about Colonel John?

The early word on Colonel John was very promising. In his first six starts he was 4-2-0, with an impressive win in the Santa Anita Derby. But his next two races were unimpressive with only one show. Many had felt that he was done competing at the top level until he won the Travers Stakes against a good field last month. The win in the Travers gets him into the Breeders’ Cup Classic, perhaps at a time when he’s at his best.

He certainly has a chance against an obviously-fading Big Brown and the older Curlin. Big Brown has not raced on a synthetic track, and Colonel John will be racing at home. Colonel John had a rough trip to Kentucky for the Derby, and he should be more relaxed at the Breeders’ Cup. Colonel John may or may not run another race before October, we’ll have to see.