BUSR is the best place to bet the 2026 Breeders' Cup online. Get up to a $1,000 Welcome Cash Bonus, earn up to a 10% daily horse betting rebate, and watch the races live after you place your bet.
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) is a $2 million championship race for two-year-old colts and geldings, contested over 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Traditionally held on Future Stars Friday, the opening day of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in late October or early November, the Juvenile brings together leading young Thoroughbreds in a major test of speed, stamina and two-turn ability. It is also an official Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying race, giving emerging contenders an early opportunity to earn points toward the following year's Kentucky Derby. Explore the latest Breeders' Cup Juvenile odds, betting opportunities, race information and past winners below.
| 2026 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Race Information | |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| Racetrack | Keeneland Race Course |
| Location | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Race Number | Race 9 |
| Post Time | 4:55 PM ET |
| Grade | Grade 1 |
| Purse | $2,000,000 |
| Distance | 1 1/16 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Eligibility | Two-year-old colts and geldings |
| Maximum Starters | 14 |
| Championship Day | Future Stars Friday |
| 2027 Kentucky Derby Points | 30-15-9-6-3 (first through fifth) |
| Qualifying Series | Road to the 2027 Kentucky Derby |
Follow the latest Breeders' Cup Juvenile odds and entries in the table below. Review the field, compare available prices and check for updates following the official post position draw. Morning-line odds provide an early reference, while actual betting prices may change as wagering develops.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damavand | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher | 20-1 |
| 2 | Gaudreau | Manuel Franco | Chad Brown | SCR |
| 3 | Salahudin | Tyler Gaffalione | Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 4 | Earth Song | Junior Alvarado | Jorge Delgado | SCR |
| 5 | Hughes | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | 1-1 |
| 6 | American History | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 9-2 |
| 7 | Coach Pope | Jose Ortiz | Kenneth McPeek | 4-1 |
| 8 | He Is No Lie | Joel Rosario | Doug O'Neill | 15-1 |
Last Updated on 10/29/2026
The Juvenile brings together promising two-year-old dirt runners in a championship environment unlike a typical prep race. At 1 1/16 miles, the race rewards tactical speed, the ability to handle two turns and enough stamina to finish strongly. A full field can create traffic and positioning challenges, making the starting draw, running style and likely early pace important pieces of the handicapping puzzle. The race also offers an early look at horses capable of progressing toward the Kentucky Derby.
For bettors, the appeal is in comparing young horses that may have followed different paths to championship weekend. Some arrive with established graded-stakes form, while others may be stretching out in distance or meeting deeper competition for the first time. Because the Juvenile is part of the Kentucky Derby prep race schedule, performances can affect both the qualifying leaderboard and early perceptions of future Derby contenders. Reviewing past performances, pace figures, workouts and available odds helps distinguish genuine betting value from reputation alone.
On race day, open the host racetrack's card in your racebook and select the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. You can start with a win, place or show wager, or build an exotic ticket if you want to combine multiple finishers. Always confirm the final field, scratches, pool availability and price before submitting a wager.
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Betting Options | |
|---|---|
| Win | Back a horse to finish first. |
| Place | Back a horse to finish first or second. |
| Show | Back a horse to finish in the top three. |
| Exacta | Pick the first two finishers in the correct order. |
| Trifecta | Pick the first three finishers in the correct order. |
| Superfecta | Pick the first four finishers in the correct order. |
| Multi-race wagers | Combine selections across eligible consecutive races, subject to the official wagering menu. |
Two-turn experience: Pay attention to which runners have handled a route on dirt rather than assuming sprint form will transfer directly.
Early pace: A crowded first turn can affect how horses with similar running styles settle into position.
Class and form: Consider the strength of previous competition, not just winning margins or unbeaten records.
Post position and track condition: Review the official draw, scratches and track conditions before finalizing a ticket.
Kentucky Derby potential: The race awards qualifying points, but success at 1 1/16 miles does not guarantee a horse will handle the Derby's 1 1/4-mile distance the following spring.
Betting value: Compare the odds with your own assessment and manage the cost of exotic combinations.
| Race Time & TV Coverage | |
|---|---|
| Post Time | 4:55 PM ET |
| TV Network | USA Network |
| Streaming | Peacock |
| Bet & Watch | BUSR (qualifying bet required) |
You can also stream the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at BUSR after placing a qualifying bet. Check your account for streaming access and applicable conditions.
First contested in 1984 as part of the inaugural Breeders' Cup World Championships, the Juvenile has developed into a defining race for the two-year-old dirt division. The championship brings together regional standouts and serves as an important early test for horses on the Kentucky Derby trail. Although the Juvenile is shorter than the Derby itself, its history offers valuable insight into how young horses develop between their two-year-old championship season and the following spring.
Among the race's notable winners are Arazi, whose dramatic 1991 victory became a memorable Breeders' Cup performance, and Street Sense, who won the Juvenile in 2006 before winning the Kentucky Derby the following year. Nyquist repeated that achievement by winning the 2015 Juvenile and the 2016 Kentucky Derby. These examples show why the Juvenile attracts attention from both championship bettors and followers of the Triple Crown, while also demonstrating that success at two does not guarantee Derby success at three.
Explore the complete historical results in our Breeders' Cup Juvenile Results & Past Winners guide.
The 2026 Breeders' Cup Juvenile is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, during Future Stars Friday.
In 2026, the Juvenile is Race 9, scheduled for 4:55 PM ET. Post times and race order are established annually.
Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, hosts the 2026 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
The Juvenile is contested over 1 1/16 miles on dirt. The Kentucky Derby, by comparison, is run over 1 1/4 miles.
The Juvenile is restricted to two-year-old colts and geldings, with a maximum of 14 starters.
The 2026 Breeders' Cup Juvenile has a $2 million purse.
Yes. The Juvenile is an official Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying race. The 2026 running awards 30, 15, 9, 6 and 3 points to the first five finishers toward the 2027 Kentucky Derby.
Yes. Street Sense won the 2006 Juvenile and 2007 Kentucky Derby, while Nyquist won the 2015 Juvenile and 2016 Kentucky Derby.
Find the latest entries and odds in the table on this page, or visit the Breeders' Cup odds guide for other championship races.
Create and fund a BUSR account, open the host track's race card, select the Juvenile and submit an available wager before post time.
Common wagers include win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta. Multi-race wagers and minimums depend on the official wagering menu and platform.
The 2026 Juvenile is scheduled for Friday, October 30 at 4:55 PM ET, with coverage on USA Network and Peacock. BUSR streaming is also available after a qualifying bet, subject to account conditions.
Breeders' Cup, Breeders' Cup World Championship and Breeders' Cup logo are registered trademarks or subsidiaries of Breeders' Cup Limited and/or its affiliates (collectively Breeders' Cup). Breeders' Cup does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with US Racing or its products, services or promotions. US Racing provides free information, odds, facts and commentary about the Breeders' Cup and horse racing and betting, in general. Third party marks may be referenced in a transformative, editorial, informational, nominative, critical, analytical or comparative context. US Racing may reference marks belonging to third parties pursuant to our right to engage in fair use, fair comment, statutory fair use or trade mark fair use doctrine. As such, US Racing does not contribute to any dilution of any trade or service marks. US Racing provides this information in an effort to educate and grow the sport of thoroughbred racing in North America with an emphasis on attracting new fans of the sport.
