ARCADIA, Calif. — Game On Dude was made the early 9-5 favorite in a field of 12 for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race he led most of the way last year before being overtaken in the closing strides. This time, he’ll have homefield advantage running at Santa Anita, where the 5-year-old gelding is 5-0.

He will try to deliver a first-time victory in the Classic for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who holds a strong hand heading into the two-day, $25 million world championships. Baffert has finished second twice, including last year.