Even for the experienced horse race bettor, doing well at the Breeders' Cup has been a challenge over the course of its 20-year history. The Breeders' Cup is an annual series of races involving all of the year's top horses, and its centerpiece is the Breeders' Cup Classic, which has a four million dollar purse. This rich race has been the site of many upsets, making the selection of Breeders' Cup picks a challenge.

One reason is the intense competition that can create photo finishes. Consider the thrilling finish of the first Breeders Cup in 1984, in which Wild Again pulled out a victory. Coming into the final turn, Wild Again, Gate Dancer, and Slew o' Gold were nearly even, charging against each other the last furlong, but Wild took the inside and won by a neck.

Another blow to some people's Breeders' Cup picks is the false notion that horses competing in the Breeders' Cup that come from abroad are at a disadvantage. While some point to the 1993 long-shot victory of the French horse Arcangues and call it a fluke, they fail to consider that the performance of other foreigners has been solid. Over a half dozen horses have crossed the ocean and still placed.

One caveat, though, is the number of days of layoff a horse has had prior to the race, which does seem to be a good indicator of whether or not you should include it in your Breeders' Cup picks. No horse has ever won the Breeders' Cup Classic after a 50-day or greater layoff. For more tips and inside information, be sure to sign up at VIPhorses.com, where you can get the latest odds and the fastest payouts on your bets.