California Chrome heads Classic field

California Chrome heads a full field of 14 horses for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, with the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner likely to be the prohibitive favorite in the $6-million race that includes Arrogate, Effinex and current Kentucky Derby champion Nyquist.

East Coast invader Frosted, Gun Runner, Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Hoppertunity, Keen Ice and Gold Cup winner Melatonin are also among the 14 horses expected to run in the 11/4-mile Classic, which will be shown live in prime time on NBC.

The Classic field is among a total of 185 horses pre-entered Wednesday for the $28-million, 13-race Breeders’ Cup world championships on Nov. 4-5 at Santa Anita. The track is hosting the event for a record ninth time.

Final entries and the post-position draw will be Monday at Santa Anita.

The top race on Nov. 4 is the $2-million Distaff for fillies and mares. Nine horses were pre-entered in the 11/8-mile race, with the presence of Beholder, Songbird and Stellar Wind making it one of the strongest fields in the 33-year history of the Breeders’ Cup.