The Breeders’ Cup held its’ annual “Draw Party” on Monday night, and what a picture was drawn up for this Friday and Saturday.

For some, the draw was pretty pretty. Mona Lisa-like.

For some, the draw was pretty ugly. Impressionist-like.

For some, the draw was pretty mundane. Art school-like.

For some the draw was pretty interesting. Starving artist-like.

But you know what they say:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And, not the great race mare Beholder.

You.

Me.

And, handicappers everywhere.

After all, the race of a lifetime can be snapped away in the blink of an eye and the start of the gate.

The Breeders’ Cup — the brainchild of my old friend and the late, great John Gaines — was created to be the sport’s “Championship Event.” It was designed to the the sport’s “Super Bowl,” “World Series,” “Masters” all rolled into one. It was meant to be the best versus the best with the ultimate goal to produce true Champions on the field of study and not on the paper of Eclipse voters.

This Friday and Saturday, Thoroughbred Racing’s “Greatest Race(s)” will hopefully be and do just what its’ founder imagined, envisioned, and created:

The Best. Versus. The Best. Which will? Produce the best.

Here are our “impressions” after the Post Position Draws were conducted on live television, thanks to TVG:

The “You Have Got to Be Kidding Me” Contingency:

No matter what the comments may be from the various and respective connections, some of the best horses going into this year’s version of the Breeders’ Cup didn’t get off to a very good start. And, the races are still 4 and 5 days away.

If you look at the draw for all 14 of the races, there are about 8 races where major contenders didn’t get exactly what they may have preferred in a “Starting Gate” assignment. In fact, their jobs probably got a whole lot tougher and their aspirations got a lot more realistic and/or unrealistic if you dive into where they must start their decent on greatness.

Let us count the ways:

In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, the grand Arizona — who is the undeniable favorite and the ML choice at 5-2 odds — drew the uncomfortable spot of #12 in the massive 14-horse field for this 1-mile contest.

When you start at this distance at Santa Anita, you have a quick run into the first turn. Many a horse have lost all chance when they simply could not find the right spot either going into or coming out of that bend.  It was not that long ago that many wondered if the great and unquestioned Lure could win at this 1-mile distance when he drew the #14 post. And, he was an older horse with a resume full of accomplishments and accolades.

Now, a truly untried and truly tested 2YO must negotiate the same distance from the #12 hole?

It will not be an easy job. Not even for the great connections of trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.

In short?

The job just got tougher. Might tougher.

In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, the same fate fell on the grand pair of Sweet Melania and Selflessly. A case certainly could be made for each or both of these top runners. After all, Sweet Melania was installed as the narrow second choice at odds of 5-1, and Chad Brown’s Selflessly has been touted with applause ever since she won there G2 Miss Grillo Stakes in her last start on Sept. 29.

But each got nearly the same and the exacta same compromising starting spot as did Arizona. Sweet Melania — winner of the G2 Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland in her last outing — drew #11, while Selflessly got #12.

The starting position may not be a death blow, but it is certainly not idea.

(Dennis’ Moment / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the grand Dennis’ Moment drew the dreaded rail position. Ugh. This son of Tiznow, who has dazzled with back-to-back wins in the Ellis Park Juvenile and the G3 Iroquois Stakes in his last two outings, now must — as in, must — get a clean break and get into the race a little bit quicker than probably normal.

The good news is that Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the job of riding. And, truly, there are few better in the game today.

The bad news is that the post position may require Irad Ortiz, Jr. to utilize his magic touch early and often, in addition to the stretch — where he is the best.

(Maxfield / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

If that isn’t alarming enough, Maxfield — the impressive winner of the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in his last outing — drew the outside post #9. While this undefeated son of Street Sense doesn’t have to worry about others dropping down over on him — like Dennis’ Moment — sometimes young, inexperienced 2YOs can have a tendency to break outward, if there is not another horse to the outside.

Jose Ortiz, who has this mount, may have his hands full, too.

In the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which will be challenged at the ever-short distance of 5-furlongs, will bad step, bobble, hiccup, stumble can prove to be disastrous. And, it is no bargain to be on the inside rail for a full field of 12 in this situation, either.

That’s where Totally Boss, probably the hottest grass sprinter in the world today, finds himself. In the #1 hole. On the rail.

Again, it is decision time and the race is still 5 days off. What does Jose Ortiz, the rider, do?What does Rusty Arnold, the trainer, tell his rider to do?

Go?

Wait?

Gas?

Settle?

Tough choices.

(Catalina Cruiser / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

In the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, another race built on strategy, quick decisions and quicker hooves, the grand Catalina Cruiser drew the rail. In a race so full of other speedsters — who, undoubtedly will command and demand the lead — where does rider Joel Rosario go? When does he decide to go?

His job of running down the front-runners just became tougher. No doubt.

In the Breeders’ Cup Mile, a grass event for some of the world’s best sod masters, four notable contenders drew the #11, #12, #13 and #14 starting slots.

Uni, the fine filly and winner of the First Lady at Keeneland in her last out, will need all of Chad Brown’s coaching expertise to overcome the #11 spot.

Lord Glitters, who was 8th last time out in the QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, must now try to find some confidence and cleverness on the world’s toughest stage, despite starting at #12.

Hey Gaman, who figured to outrun his long shot odds now that he was assured of running over a firm piece of ground, now must negotiate the 1-mile distance from the #13 spot.

And…

(Bowies Hero / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

Bowies Hero, impressive winner of the G1 Shadwell Mile in his last outing, will some how, some way have to discover a way to duplicate his last race magic from the near-impossible #14 gate.

And, then there’s the Breeders’ Cup Classic, perhaps one of the most wide open races in the history of this instrumental and important, er, Classic.

On the far outside, in post 11, is Code of Honor — the winner of the Travers Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup in each of his last two.

Just to his inside is Vino Rosso, the winner of the Gold Cup at Santa Anita in his last trip West and sure to be a fan favorite this time around, too.

At #8 is the interesting and perplexing McKinzie, who will have a new rider in Joel Rosario. He will be replacing Hall of Fame Mike Smith, who was unceremoniously after McKinzie misfired in the stretch of the G1 Awesome Again in his last start.

So, what to make of the Breeders’ Cup Draw?

Whether it be the rail — to the inside — or the rail — to the outside — some of the best didn’t get off to the best of starts.

Let’s just see now if they are good enough to overcome it.

The “Write It Down” Department:

After the Breeders’ Cup Draw was drawn, and the final brush strokes had been administered, we reached out to some of our best friends and best trainers in the business to get their thoughts.

Here is what they had to say:

(Owner Dennis Albaugh congratulates his 2YO Dennis’ Moment after winning the G2 Iroquois Stakes / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

Dale Romans — Trainer of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Favorite Dennis’ Moment:

“Not what I would pick, but we will make the most of it,” Romans said in a text message last night.

You know what, I think Dale is absolutely right.

They will make the most of it.

After all, Dennis’ Moment may just be and become one of the most amazing and emerging super stars in our business and sport today.

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(Owner Chester Thomas and trainer W. Bret Calhoun embrace after Mr. Money’s win in the G3 Pat Day Mile / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

W. Bret Calhoun — Trainer of Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Challenger Mr. Money:

“I was happy with it,” Calhoun texted back as soon as he knew that he and his steed had drawn the #4 slot in the impressive field of 10.

You know what II? I think Calhoun may be happy with the end result on Saturday, too. Despite the 6-1 ML odds, there may not be a better horse in the country right now than Mr. Money.

Unless it is, of course, Omaha Beach. Who drew post position #5 right next to Mr. Money.

Let the games begin. Immediately

Let the handicapping arguments begin. In earnest.

Let the races decide. On Friday and Saturday. In the end.