2026 Breeders' Cup contenders worth considering at a price

The 42-year history of the Breeders’ Cup is replete with winners that returned boxcar prices. A few last year that paid nicely include Balantina ($43.20) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), Ethical Diamond ($57.20) in the Turf (G1), and Gezora ($20.20) in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

But longshots can also run well and not win, juicing up exacta and trifecta payouts. Who among this year’s entries might be worth considering at decent prices? Here’s my list.

Salahudin: Juvenile (G1)

Of the two Bob Baffert trainees, Hughes is going to get far more play than this colt. But if Hughes’ American Pharoah (G1) success happens to prove an outlier from a speed-figure perspective, then several other Juvenile contenders have a chance, including this stablemate.

Like Hughes, Salahudin is undefeated going into the Juvenile, albeit in Kentucky stakes that carry less prestige. However, this strapping son of Uncle Mo looks well built to handle more distance than he’s been asked to run so far, even a short-stretch 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland. The start will be key, as he had to work a bit in the Iroquois (G3) to overcome a tardy beginning. A mid-single digit price would be fair.

Kilwin: Filly & Mare Sprint (G1)

Although she began her career on turf and was a stakes winner over the surface, Kilwin is simply a faster filly on dirt. Her record in dirt sprints is a strong 4-3-1-0, the lone setback being a 5 1/2-length loss to Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) favorite Ways and Means in the Ballerina (G1).

The form might be reversed this time, if Ways and Means’ track record of running to a lower level outside of her New York base holds up. And while neither filly has actually started at Keeneland, this is still more Kilwin’s home track. She’s relatively fresh with just two starts this year, and a hot pace could set things up nicely for her.

John the Beer Man: Turf Sprint (G1)

A lightly raced five-year-old, John the Beer Man flubbed his lines when favored in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2). But he didn’t break as sharp that day as he usually does, nor is that European-style course always suitable to American horses accustomed to flatter ovals.

Granted, there’s a ton of other speed in this race, but John the Beer Man’s overall form is fairly solid among the American hopefuls. Especially that close third in the Jaipur (G1) last June behind the sidelined Reef Runner and Ag Bullet, both of whom finished in the top four in last year’s Turf Sprint. 

If John the Beer Man is able to shake off the Kentucky Downs dud, backers might be raising him a toast.

Tiffany: Turf (G1)

Ethical Diamond proved last year that you don’t have to be one of Europe’s elite runners to win the Turf. The six-year-old Tiffany fits a similar mold.

Unlike Ethical Diamond, who has excelled more in heritage handicaps than in Group company overseas, Tiffany has a stronger foundation in pattern events. She earned a belated Group 1 success on Aug. 9 in Germany, against males, and a month later claimed the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) over Ethical Diamond under a rail-skimming ride by regular pilot Luke Morris.

While trainer Sir Mark Prescott will reportedly be watching the Turf from home in his nightclothes, he’s managed this mare’s career extremely well, much like his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Alpinista a few years ago. Tiffany's ability over 1 1/2 miles is more proven than Diamond Necklace’s, and her relative freshness and the expected firmer ground might help her close the gap on Bay City Roller, who beat her convincingly in Munich a year ago.