Coach Pope is pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2026 at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 30. The Kenny McPeek trainee was second, beaten a length, in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) over the same track and distance. The race is part of Future Stars Friday at Breeders' Cup 2026.
A Grade 1-placed Tapit colt who already has a run over the course and distance.
| Coach Pope at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Trainer / Jockey | Kenny McPeek / Jose Ortiz (regular rider) |
| Owner | Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck), Shamrock Stables and Michael J. Mackin |
| Pedigree | Tapit – Gamble's Ghost |
| Earnings | $220,463 |
| Last Race | 2nd Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1), Keeneland, Oct. 3 |
| 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 — 1 1/16 miles, dirt, $2 million |
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| Breeders' Cup Juvenile 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 Post Time | Friday, Oct. 30, 4:55 PM ET (Race 9) |
Follow the full field on our Breeders' Cup pre-entries and contenders page, and the race-by-race card on the Breeders' Cup schedule.
| Coach Pope: Last 3 Starts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Race | Track | Dist | Finish |
| 10/03/26 | Breeders' Futurity (G1) | Keeneland | 1 1/16m | 2nd by 1 |
| 09/12/26 | Maiden Special Weight | Churchill Downs | 1m | 1st by 12 1/2 |
| 08/08/26 | Maiden Special Weight | Saratoga | 6 1/2f | 2nd by 1/2 |
Source: published race results. — = not available.
He was second in his debut, won his maiden by 12 1/2 lengths, then dueled on the lead in the Breeders' Futurity before being caught late and beaten a length.
| Keeneland Fit | |
|---|---|
| At Keeneland | 1: 0-1-0 |
| At 1 1/16 Miles | 1: 0-1-0 |
| On Dirt | 3: 1-2-0 |
| In the Breeders' Cup | No starts |
Coach Pope ranks among the second tier behind Hughes and American History. A cleaner trip without a pace duel could make him competitive. 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 contenders: American History (beat him by a length in the Breeders' Futurity); Hughes (unbeaten two-time Grade 1 winner); Q B Rocket (dueled with him through the Futurity and finished a neck behind). 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 is set at the post position draw on Monday, Oct. 26. Until then, follow futures prices on our Breeders' Cup odds page.
Kenny McPeek trains Coach Pope for Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck), Shamrock Stables and Michael J. Mackin. Jose Ortiz is his regular rider; the Breeders' Cup rider has not been confirmed.
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at Keeneland, as Race 9 with post time at 4:55 PM ET.
The Breeders' Cup post position draw is Monday, Oct. 26 at 5:00 PM ET at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion.
One win and two seconds from three starts (1-2-0) and $220,463 in earnings.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
