Manuka Honey is pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies 2026 at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 30. The Brian Lynch trainee is unbeaten in three starts and won the Pocahontas Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 12. The race is part of Future Stars Friday at Breeders' Cup 2026.
An unbeaten Grade 3 winner stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time.
| Manuka Honey at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Trainer / Jockey | Brian Lynch / Luis Saez (regular rider) |
| Owner | Lisa Lee, Jason Sciortino, William Lynch, Brian Howe and Terry Hamilton |
| Pedigree | Upstart – Drop Dead Red, by Hold Me Back |
| Earnings | $383,981 |
| Last Race | 1st Pocahontas Stakes (G3), Churchill Downs, Sept. 12 |
| Last Workout | TBA |
| How Qualified | On the official Breeders' Cup possible starters list; fields are set by Breeders' Cup Challenge points and panel selection |
| Race | Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies — 1 1/16 miles, dirt, $2 million |
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| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies 2026 Key Dates | |
|---|---|
| Pre-Entries Closed | Monday, Oct. 19, 12:00 PM ET |
| Pre-Entries Announced | Wednesday, Oct. 21 |
| Post Position Draw | Monday, Oct. 26, 5:00 PM ET, Keeneland Sales Pavilion |
| Morning Line | TBA (set at the draw) |
| Post Position | TBA |
| Juvenile Fillies Post Time | Friday, Oct. 30, 3:35 PM ET (Race 7) |
Follow the full field on our Breeders' Cup pre-entries and contenders page, and the race-by-race card on the Breeders' Cup schedule.
| Manuka Honey: Last 3 Starts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Race | Track | Dist | Finish |
| 09/12/26 | Pocahontas (G3) | Churchill Downs | 1m | 1st by 2 |
| 08/09/26 | Ellis Park Debutante | Ellis Park | 7f | 1st by 7 |
| 06/20/26 | Maiden Special Weight | Churchill Downs | 5f | 1st by 7 1/4 |
Source: published race results. — = not available.
She has won all three starts, by 7 1/4 lengths on debut, by 7 lengths in the Ellis Park Debutante and by 2 lengths in the Pocahontas, stepping up in distance each time.
| Keeneland Fit | |
|---|---|
| At Keeneland | No starts |
| At 1 1/16 Miles | No starts |
| On Dirt | 3: 3-0-0 |
| In the Breeders' Cup | No starts |
She brings a perfect record and a graded stakes win at a mile, but she has yet to face Grade 1 company like Alcibiades winner Emphatic or Frizette winner Dotsy. Our full picks follow once the post positions and morning line are set at the Oct. 26 draw.
Main rivals among the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies contenders: Emphatic (won the Alcibiades, G1, at Keeneland, the race's 1 1/16-mile distance); Dotsy (won the Frizette, G1, at Belmont); Scarlett Begonia (finished 2nd to her in the Pocahontas). New to wagering? Read how to bet the Breeders' Cup, or look back at past Breeders' Cup winners.
The morning line for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies is set at the post position draw on Monday, Oct. 26. Until then, follow futures prices on our Breeders' Cup odds page.
Brian Lynch trains Manuka Honey for Lisa Lee, Jason Sciortino, William Lynch, Brian Howe and Terry Hamilton. Luis Saez is her regular rider; the Breeders' Cup rider has not been confirmed.
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at Keeneland, as Race 7 with post time at 3:35 PM ET.
The Breeders' Cup post position draw is Monday, Oct. 26 at 5:00 PM ET at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion.
Three wins from three starts (3-0-0) and $383,981 in earnings.
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