With a total purse of $20 million, the 2006 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs, will feature the world’s top thoroughbreds competing in eight divisions, including 2006 Epsom Derby winner George Washington, a contender in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

This year’s Classic has attracted three of the four highest rated race horses in the world. George Washington, bred by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, owners of ill-fated Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, and owned by Coolmore Stud, won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot this year, and also beat Epsom Derby winner Sir Percy in the 2000 Guineas Stakes.

The 3-year-old son of Danehill, out of an Alysheba daughter, is trained by Aiden O’Brien and will be ridden by Michael Kinane, his pilot in the Queen Elizabeth. The Classic will be George Washington’s first start on the dirt.

Bernardini (pictured), the expected favorite for the Classic and the winner of this year’s Preakness Stakes, has won six of seven starts this year and earned more than $2 million. The 3-year-old A.P. Indy son is trained by Thomas Albertrani for Darley Stable of the United Arab Emirates, and will be ridden by Javier Castellano.

With victories in the Preakness, Jim Dandy, and Travers Stakes, as well as the Jockey Club Gold Cup, if Bernardini wins the Classic, he should be a shoe-in for the title of Horse of the Year.

Lava Man is a top Classic contender based on his perfect seven-for-seven record in 2006, including wins in the Santa Anita Handicap and the Breeders Cup Handicap. The 5-year-old gelding, sired by Slew City Slew and owned by STD Racing, has earned $2.7 million racing primarily in California. He is trained by Doug O’Neill and will be ridden by Corey Nakatani.