Through no fault of his own, the storyline Game On Dude carries with him is not as glamorous as some of the more recent yarns that have dominated the pre-race hype for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

He is not an established champion trying for a repeat win a la Curlin in 2008. And after three straight seasons of feisty distaffers taking on males (Havre de Grace in 2011 and Zenyatta in 2009-10), the potential of Game On Dude becoming the first gelding to take the $US5 million ($A4.83 million) test doesn't exactly hold the same fascination with the public.

The mainstream and marketing types may love its sexy backstories. Those within Game On Dude's circle, however, are quite pleased if the only banner he wields heading into Saturday's 1-1/4-mile (2000m) Classic is that of the well-deserved race favorite.

The extra level of respect that has eluded Game On Dude in his 20 career starts will undoubtedly come his way should he triumph in the field of 12 that were entered Monday for the headline event of the two-day, 15-race Breeders' Cup World Championship card.

After drawing post No. 5 for the Classic, Game On Dude was installed as the 9-to-5 morning-line choice over a bunch that features eight other Grade One winners.

Last year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs was a metaphor for Game On Dude's public perception struggle in that there is always something or someone else that stands out above him.

After heading every point of call in the race, the gelded son of 1998 Classic winner Awesome Again was caught in the stretch by long-shot Drosselmeyer - a defeat that ultimately cost Game On Dude the Eclipse Award for champion older male.

Even if he had won last year at odds of 14-to-1, the focus would have likely been on his now former jockey Chantal Sutherland becoming the first female rider to take the event.

While his only defeats in six starts this year have been a 12th-place finish in the $10 million Dubai World Cup and a runner-up effort in the Grade One Pacific Classic, a loss Saturday combined with wins by either Wise Dan in the Mile or Point of Entry in the Turf could again result in no year-end honors for the Bob Baffert trainee.

"He doesn't get the respect he deserves so let's win this one and hopefully he'll get the respect," said Bernie Schiappa, who co-owns Game On Dude along with Joe Torre, Mercedes Stable, and Lanni Family Trust.

"He's better now than he's ever been. He's just an amazing animal who rises to the challenge whatever it is and he's going to perform all the time. Sometimes it's not good enough but hopefully this time it is."