Game On Dude drew the fifth post and was installed as the early favorite for the Breeders' Classic, highlight of the $US25 million ($A24.31 million) Breeders' Cup card.

The multiple Grade One winner, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, was run down in the stretch of the Classic last year at Churchill Downs by 14-1 shot Drosselmeyer.

With Rafael Bejarano aboard, he'll try again on Sunday (AEDT) to reach the winner's circle as the racing extravaganza returns to his home track of Santa Anita in suburban Los Angeles.

"He's looking good," Baffert said. "I think he's a better horse this year than last year. He's filled out. He seems more relaxed. He's a horse that's just getting better with age."

The 1 1/4-mile Classic on Santa Anita's dirt track caps the two-day, 15-race slate.

Five 2011 Breeders' Cup winners return, including Amazombie in the Sprint and Musical Romance in the Filly and Mare Sprint and the Aidan O'Brien-trained St Nicholas Abbey in the 1-1/2-mile, Turf.

St Nicholas Abbey again arrives at the Breeders' Cup vying to rebound from Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe disappointment.

Once again he'll be ridden by O'Brien's son, Joseph O'Brien, who last year became the youngest jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race.

Excelebration, winner of back-to-back Group One races over a mile the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on October 20, drew the sixth post in the $2 million Mile on turf.

Aidan O'Brien, who took over training duties this year after the horse was moved from Newmarket-based Italian Marco Botti, called Excelebration "an exceptional" horse.

"He's getting quicker and stronger and has progressed very well," O'Brien said."