The $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) is a championship event for 2-year-olds at one mile on the grass course at Keeneland. It will be run on Friday, Oct 30.
The BC Juvenile Turf is carded as race 10, the fifth and final race on Day 1 of the Breeders’ Cup, with a post time of 5:35 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.
The race has turned into a playground for Irish champion trainer Aidan O’Brien. He holds the record for most wins in the event, capturing his eighth Juvenile Turf victory (and 21st overall Breeders' Cup win) with Gstaad last year.
Here we go again with O’Brien. The colt is well-seasoned with five starts producing three wins including stakes victories in the Coventry (G2) at Royal Ascot and the Castle Marble Hill (G3) at the Curragh. Great Barrier Reef most recently finished third in the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) at Newmarket.
Betting angle: It’s O’Brien. It’s the BC Juvenile Turf. It’s all you need to know. O'Brien is seeking a fifth straight win in this race. Enough said!
What to watch: An unobstructed journey. Great Barrier Reef encountered traffic trouble in the Dewhurst, costing him a better placing.
The U.S.A.’s best shot has a snappy record of 3-0-1 in four starts.
Betting angle: Turned in a very professional effort most recently to beat a bulky 12-horse field by a decisive 4 ½ lengths in the $750,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile as the 5-2 favorite.
What to watch: How’s Al Today has a European-style dynamic turn of foot. That ability to explode onto the scene will serve him well.
Obviously talented but still learning the game. Sports a record of 4-0-1 in six starts.
Betting angle: Like O’Brien, Appleby is always dangerous in these grass races. Al Hudaiba captured the Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine to clinch his Breeders’ Cup berth. Although he won at 3-5, there was an anxious moment as he ducked to the outside in deep stretch.
What to watch: Must be totally professional. Miscues like the stretch run of the Summer Stakes would be costly.
Here’s a horse for the course, having won Keeneland’s Bourbon Stakes (G2) under Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Kelsey Danner.
Why a value bet: Experience over the course could be a factor. So should proximity. Agate is 2-0-1 in four starts, all in Kentucky -- a possible advantage over European rivals who have traveled a long way to get here.
The risk: Lacks Grade 1 experience.
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.
