2026 Breeders’ Cup: Under-the-radar contenders on Friday

Although there are a few strong favorites in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup races at Keeneland, the large fields in the grass races should give longshots a chance to factor into the results.

Even if favorites take home win honors, exotic wagers like the exacta and trifecta will pay nicely if a double-digit longshot finishes in the money.

Here are three under-the-radar contenders to consider betting on Breeders’ Cup Friday:

Race 6: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1): #13 Ruiva (12-1)

If #13 Ruiva (12-1) draws in off the also-eligible list, she could challenge for trainer Wesley Ward, who has won the Juvenile Turf Sprint three times.

Ruiva has excellent early speed. Last time out, in the Indian Summer S. over the same course and distance as the Juvenile Turf Sprint, she set fractions of :21.15 and :44.37 before weakening in the final furlong to finish fourth by a neck.

If Ruiva rations her speed a bit better in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, there’s a chance she could lead all the way and spring a double-digit upset.

Race 8: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1): #7 Vanta (20-1)

The favorites in the Juvenile Fillies Turf are formidable. #9 Sun Goddess (6-5) and #10 Amusingly (7-2) are Group 1-winning European raiders. #12 Domestic Agenda (8-1) is a talented American hopeful exiting a decisive win in the Miss Grillo (G2).

But don’t leave #7 Vanta (20-1) off your tickets. The unbeaten filly has gone 3-for-3 in California and unleashed strong finishing kicks to win the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf S. and Surfer Girl (G3). In the latter race, she clocked her final two furlongs in :11.24 and :11.21 per the Equibase GPS result chart. Her swift closing speed shouldn’t be underestimated.

Race 10: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1): #11 Man’s Best Friend (15-1)

Aidan O’Brien, an eight-time Juvenile Turf winner, trains four horses in the 2026 edition. #11 Man’s Best Friend (15-1) isn’t the most accomplished of the quartet, but his form is nevertheless respectable.

Man’s Best Friend has competed twice at the Group 1 level, finishing fourth in the Prix Morny (G1) and third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1). In the latter race, he finished only 1 3/4 lengths behind runner-up #10 Folsom Blues (7-2), one of the favorites in the Juvenile Turf.

Man’s Best Friend has performed best over good and good-to-firm turf in Europe, so he should appreciate the firm turf he’ll almost certainly encounter at Keeneland. A small step forward can put him in the hunt for victory.

Good luck!