The $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) is one of the original seven races for the Breeders’ Cup and first contested at Hollywood Park in 1984.
Set to be run on Future Stars Friday at Keeneland on Oct. 30, it’s the main event on the card and is the deciding factor on who will stamp themselves as the early favorite for next year’s Kentucky Derby (G1).
The BC Juvenile will go off as the ninth on the card with a post time of 7:45 p.m. ET. The race will be televised by USA Network and Peacock.
The pre-entries will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 21; the post-position draw and morning-line odds will be revealed on Monday, Oct. 26.
Through the 42 editions of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (1984–2025), the post-time favorite has won 14 times, for a win rate of about 33.3%
Note: Jockeys listed are from the horse’s previous race; changes are likely.
Undefeated in four starts with a combined winning margin of about 24½ lengths, he won the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) by six lengths last out. The Into Mischief colt will likely head postward near or below even money. Baffert is seeking a record seventh Juvenile win.
Betting angle: With the absence of U.S.S. Valor, Hughes will be a heavily bet favorite. He’s never left California, and he returns to Kentucky for the first time since his he sold for $675,000 at the Keeneland sales.
What to watch: His tactical turn of foot that Hernandez will use depending on pace and post. He could find himself on the lead or mid-pack pressing.
Unbeaten juveniles at the elite level are not unusual, and this Constitution colt is one. He closed off a hot pace to win the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland by a length, giving him a host course and distance advantage over most of his rivals.
As a closer, which is rare for young horses trained for speed, he also has a running style that should suit a contested pace.
Betting angle: He’ll be a short price but maybe offer a little more value than the likely favorite. A fair price may all revolve around a good draw, but he’ll be worth whatever price he’s at.
What to watch: The draw and the tote board. An ideal spot in the middle for this closer will surely affect post-time odds.
This $350,000 son of Tapit was the 7-10 favorite in the Breeders’ Futurity and finished a length back of American History. He’s a press-the-pace type colt and the experience over the track and the distance could help reverse the Futurity form.
Betting angle: Coach Pope should offer some value now with a loss in his most recent start. He has the pedigree for this, so he’s very bet-able and solid play for exactas and trifectas.
What to watch: Will he finish? In his last, he sat off the pace and was in good striking position but ran out of gas late and was passed late.
He’s undefeated in three starts, including a come-from-behind win in the Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Why a value bet? With a probable quick pace, he has a strong closing kick that only helps his chances. Plus, Baffert’s second-stringer sometimes gets overlooked in the betting.
The risk: Overall, his figures sit fairly well below the top choices.
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.
