It’s that time of the year again when the top horse contenders of the world meet to find out just who’s faster.

The 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be decided on Saturday, Nov.4 in Louisville, the same part of the country where the no.5 Louisville Cardinals and the no.3 West Virginia Mountaineers decide which franchise is simply better.

This time though, both Bernardini and Lava Man will have all the spotlight as Horse of the Year, Bernardini faces off with Lava Man for the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic Mane Event. And yeah, Bernardini also has the rest of the field to worry about.

The race is set for Horse of the Year, and it’s Bernardini against one of the strongest fields assembled for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

‘’I think he’s probably at his best right now,'’ trainer Tom Albertrani said. ‘’And that’s what you want. He’s been training aggressively, and that’s what I like to see.'’ The Preakness and Travers winner was made the even-money favorite Wednesday for the $5 million Classic, the richest race in America and main event at the $20 million, eight-race Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs.

However, as good as Bernardini is, horse racing bettors and aficionados alike should not forget about Bernardini’s threats for a Breeders Cup Classic victory.

While Bernardini has been overpowering with six straight wins by combined 40 lengths, including a 5 ½ length win in the Preakness and and 7 ½ length romp in the Travers, the 3-year-old colt has never faced a field as deep as the Classic.

Invasor and Lava Man, the other Horse of the Year contenders, have produced impressive campaigns of their own and were the next two choices at 5-1 and 6-1, respectively.

Lava Man is probably Bernardini’s toughest threat from the field of great horse contenders. After all, Lava Man is horse racing’s richest claimer with a 7-for-7 record in Cali this year that boosted his career earnings to $3.8 million.

However, after watching some of these big horse races throughout the year, I would have to say that not Bernardini nor Lava Man will win the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Who will? Well, probably another goddamn longshot.

Can Bernardini win the 2006 Breeders’ Cup or will Lava Man cash out the $5 million Classic? Bet at All Horse Racing now.