2026 Breeders’ Cup: Longshots to consider

Longshots are often part of the equation over the 14-race, two-day Breeders’ Cup program, whether finishing first or filling minor prizes in vertical exotic wagers, and I have identified some horses interest who are listed at 10-1 on the morning line.

Juvenile Fillies

#11 Voyager (12-1) will move turf to dirt for Mark Casse following a sharp win in the Natalma (G1) at Woodbine, and the Justify filly owns dirt experience, finishing second to Harper’s Corner in the Schuylerville before winning back-to-back starts on turf. Those turf performances are eligible to move her up and her tactical ability is an asset, leading all the way two starts back and racing just off the pace before comfortably proving best last time. Javier Castellano is eligible to use her speed to avoid going too wide early, and Voyager shows a bullet half-mile work in preparation.

Filly & Mare Sprint

Like the cutback to seven furlongs for #6 Majestic Oops (15-1), who registered a solid 97 Brisnet Speed rating when capturing the American Beauty at Oaklawn Park by open lengths in her lone attempt sprinting this year. She defeated Nitrogen in the 1 1/16-mile Azeri (G2) next out, which led connections to keep her at a route in following starts, but the five-year-old mare started to tail off afterwards. Freshened shortly after being transferred to Phil D’Amato, Majestic Oops started to turn things around in her last two appearances, recording an encouraging second in the Zenyatta (G2) last out, and the off-the-pace type figures to receive a favorable set up with all the speed signed on. I will look for Majestic Oops to come running late with Francisco Arrieta.

Filly & Mare Turf

#1 Gimme a Nother (10-1) may not be double-digit odds come post time, but she would qualify as a minor upset given the presence of high-profile international shippers Blue Bolt and Precise and Chad Brown-trained third choice Kathynkmarissa. The five-year-old mare brings a progressive pattern that bodes well for a career-best performance in the Filly & Mare Turf. A champion three-year-old filly in South America, Gimme a Nother needed nearly a whole season in North America to acclimate, recording her first win stateside in her 2025 finale last fall. She returned from a lengthy layoff in July, recording a convincing victory over questionable rivals in the Eatontown (G3), and then stepped up with fine wins in the Beverly D (G2) and E P Taylor (G1), defeating a couple of well-regarded international in the latter. I like how she paired up Brisnet numbers in the last two outings, suggesting another forward move, and Gimme a Nother drew well at the rail for a ground-saving trip from just off the pace.

Classic

#4 The Puma (10-1) got started late on the Kentucky Derby trail, making his career in mid-January. And after a nose second in the Florida Derby (G1), he was forced to miss the Triple Crown due to injury. He had much to prove when returning this summer and after experiencing a couple of tough trips in the Haskell (G1) and Travers (G1), The Puma stepped up with a good win in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), netting a 105 Brisnet Speed rating that compares favorably to rivals, and he’s eligible to have more to offer. The Puma has trained forwardly in preparation for Gustavo Delgado, and the late runner projects to receive a favorable set up in a speed-laden Classic field.