The $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) was first run in 2018, and it’s the newest race at the Breeders’ Cup.
The fast, furious, and often full field will be contested at 5 ½ furlongs at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 30, as the opening race of the 43rd Breeders’ Cup.
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint is carded as race 6, with a post time of 2:55 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.
Ireland-bred 2-year-olds won this race four of the past five years, including 12-1 longshot Magnum Force ($27 on a $2 win bet). Kentucky-bred Cy Fair ($12) ended the streak last year, and Irad Ortiz, Jr. earned his fifth win in the race's eight-year history.
Note: Jockeys listed are from the horse’s previous race; changes are likely.
After digging in for a neck win over Force Noir in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Sept. 26, this 2-year-old filly looks to be set up as a top contender going 5 ½ furlongs against an expected full field of 12. An England-bred filly by Havana Grey, Orthodox earned a fees-paid berth with a victory in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot on June 20, topping 20 rivals by 3 ½ lengths with a well-paced run in the final furlong.
Betting angle: A serious win candidate if his well-paced speed translates to Keeneland. His Group 1 credentials likely put him in the one-to-beat category.
What to watch: She excels on good-firm turf. She lost only once in four starts, and it was on soft-heavy turf.
Can a U.S.-based runner make it two in a row in a race dominated by Euros? The Yaupon filly is 2-for-2 after winning the 6-furlong Matron Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park on Oct. 3 with a closing rush.
Betting angle: Clement has his fillies in top shape for top races, and if she gets a strong start, she’s a strong finisher who can win if the pace is too quick.
The 2-year-old gelding made a successful U.S. debut with a head victory in the 6-furlong Indian Summer Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Oct. 4. The Ireland-bred won three in a row start his career, then ran second twice, in the Molecomb Stakes (G3) at Goodwood in July and the Roses Stakes at York in August before his big win at Keeneland.
Betting angle: Won over this track at 6 furlongs, but needed every inch to prevail; worth a win bet at a shorter distance? Not likely, but he sure likes the track.
The War Front colt won the 6-furlong Futurity Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park on Oct. 3 by a length over some rivals that may also show up in this race.
Why a value bet? He, too, has a closing kick that could pay off handsomely if the leaders fade in the stretch.
The Risk: The slightly shorter 5 ½-furlong distance may work against him – at one point in the Futurity, he was 12 lengths behind the leader.
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.
