Damavand is pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2026 at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 30. The Todd Pletcher-trained $1 million yearling won a 1 1/16-mile maiden race over the Keeneland track on Oct. 4. The race is part of Future Stars Friday at Breeders' Cup 2026.
A promising maiden winner already proven over the course and distance, but untested in stakes.
| Damavand at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Trainer / Jockey | Todd Pletcher / John Velazquez (regular rider) |
| Owner | Amo Racing USA |
| Pedigree | Not This Time – Tempers Rising, by Bayern |
| Earnings | TBA |
| Last Race | 1st Maiden Special Weight, Keeneland, Oct. 4 |
| 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.
| Damavand: Last 2 Starts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Race | Track | Dist | Finish | Beyer |
| 10/04/26 | Maiden Special Weight | Keeneland | 1 1/16m | 1st by a long neck | 75 |
| 09/07/26 | Maiden Special Weight | Saratoga | 6f | 4th | — |
Source: published race results. Beyer Speed Figure: Daily Racing Form. — = not available.
He finished fourth in a six-furlong Saratoga debut on Sept. 7, then improved sharply to win a 1 1/16-mile Keeneland maiden by a long neck on Oct. 4 with a 75 Beyer.
| Keeneland Fit | |
|---|---|
| At Keeneland | 1: 1-0-0 |
| At 1 1/16 Miles | 1: 1-0-0 |
| On Dirt | 2: 1-0-0 |
| In the Breeders' Cup | No starts |
Damavand has course-and-distance form, but he jumps from a maiden win straight to a Grade 1 against stakes winners. 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: Hughes (unbeaten Baffert colt, won the American Pharoah by 6 lengths), American History (stablemate, won the Breeders' Futurity G1 at Keeneland) and Salahudin (Baffert, unbeaten Iroquois G3 winner). 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.
Todd Pletcher trains Damavand for Amo Racing USA. John Velazquez 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 from two starts (1-0-0).
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.
