Tipsheet: 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

A standout field of eight two-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Del Mar main oval in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby tilt will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 30-15-9-6-3 basis. 

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Picks

• #8 Ted Noffey
• #2 Blackout Time
• #7 Brant

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Wagers

• $25 Exacta: 8 with 2
• $2 Trifecta: 8 with 2,7 with ALL
• 50-cent Superfecta: 2,8 with 2,8 with 1,3,7 with ALL  

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Contenders

#1 INTREPIDO (8-1): American Pharoah (G1) victor is two-for-two since stretching out in distance for conditioner Jeff Mullins, which includes an excellent maiden win at Del Mar two prior. The bay son of Maximus Mischief has earned healthy Brisnet Late Pace ratings in his last two outings and lands in a field with a decent measure of early pace. A dangerous top-three contender will have Hector Berrios on board. 

#2 BLACKOUT TIME (5-1): Talented colt from the McPeek shedrow was a dominant maiden winner two back prior to finishing a strong runner-up in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The son of Not This Time has good early speed combined with a sharp turn of foot, and the January foal will be a major player late with any kind of improvement in this heat. Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the assignment. 

#3 MR. A.P. (30-1): Maiden winner from the Cerin shedrow has improved his Brisnet Speed rating in each lifetime run to date and has top-three appeal in his stakes debut. The son of American Pharoah takes a hefty class rise, but he is moving forward and has also proven to be capable on this surface, too. Antonio Fresu will guide the live longshot. 

#4 COMPORT (30-1): Chestnut son of Collected was last seen missing by a nose in the Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The Greg Compton pupil is quick, and he handled the one-mile voyage well in his route debut last time out. The $135,000 yearling purchase will be forcing the tempo from the outset with Tyler Gaffalione on board. 

#5 CIVIL LIBERTY (30-1): Maiden from the O’Neill barn checked in third in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) prior to registering a fourth-place result in the subsequent American Pharoah S. (G1). The Independence Hall colt obviously has ability, but he will need to take a big step forward to upset this imposing group with Frankie Dettori up.  

#6 LITMUS TEST (15-1): Nyquist colt has run well in advance of the tilt, which includes a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The Baffert pupil broke his maiden on the surface and was also an even fourth in the deep Del Mar Futurity (G1), as well. The $875,000 son of Nyquist has trained well in advance of his third Grade 1 try and will never be far back beneath Jose Ortiz. 

#7 BRANT (5-2): $3 million son of Gun Runner is two-for-two lifetime with both tallies coming on the strip, led by a measured victory in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) most recently. The Bob Baffert charge can win from on or off the pace, and the gray colt figures to be well-positioned throughout the event under regular pilot Flavien Prat. 

#8 TED NOFFEY (4-5): Unbeaten son of Into Mischief has passed each of his trio of tests to date with aplomb and is the one to beat for Pletcher. The unblemished colt doesn’t need the lead in order to win; he has the tactical speed to be placed anywhere early, and the Spendthrift homebred is also proven at the distance, as well. John Velazquez will pilot the formidable juvenile.