Tipsheet: 2026 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

A fantastic field of eight two-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles over the main oval at Keeneland in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). The 2027 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top-five finishers with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 30-15-9-6-3 scale. 

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Picks

• #5 Hughes
• #2 Gaudreau
• #7 Coach Pope
• #1 Damavand

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Wagers

• $10 exacta 5 with 1,2,7
• $5 trifecta key 5 with 1,2,7
• $1 trifecta box 1,2,5,7 

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Contenders

#1 DAMAVAND (20-1): First of two from the Pletcher barn displayed a fine closing kick to graduate at Keeneland in his route bow, and I think he’s an interesting exotics player at a price in the deep cast. The $1 million yearling purchase has plenty of room for improvement and will be saving ground throughout the heat with Luis Saez picking up the mount. 

#2 GADREAU (8-1): Louisiana-bred son of Nyquist finished first in a deep maiden race at Saratoga prior to checking in second behind U. S. S. Valor in the Champagne (G1) in his second outing. The January foal is a nice fit in the group and could be any kind over two turns on Friday for Chad Brown. Manny Franco will take the reins for the initial time. 

#3 SALAHUDIN (6-1): The first of a pair from the mighty Baffert barn hasn’t done anything wrong, with a trio of wins from three runs leading up to his Keeneland debut, and earned a lifetime best Brisnet Speed rating in his first route try last time out. The $325,000 son of Uncle Mo has posted some swift morning moves lately and will do his best work from off the pace with Tyler Gaffalione riding. 

#4 EARTH SONG (20-1): Justify colt from the Delgado shedrow was fourth in the tough Champagne in his initial stakes try and is not impossible in the tilt. The $250,000 purchase was three lengths behind a major player in this race at Belmont last time and could get a piece with improvement in his two-turn debut. Junior Alvarado has the assignment. 

#5 HUGHES (1-1): Top pick and one to beat from the Baffert barn is unblemished and untested, with four superb scores to begin his career. The son of the sublime Into Mischief is the leader of the division and is proven to be capable of running well from up close or from off the pace, too. He will be formidable at his best under the guidance of Flavien Prat. 

#6 AMERICAN HISTORY (9-2): The unbeaten colt from the Pletcher barn followed up his debut score with a game victory in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) on this oval in his second start. The $825,000 son of Constitution has displayed a nice turn of foot in both career races to date and could be moving best of all late under John Velazquez. 

#7 COACH POPE (4-1): Ultra-talented son of Tapit has run a trio of big races to commence his career, with a close second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) in his latest venture. The Kenny McPeek trainee has two route races under his belt ahead of the tilt, and the local experience will only benefit the youngster. Jose Ortiz will retain the mount. 

#8 HE IS NO LIE (15-1): Sneaky contender from the O’Neill barn gets a tough slot on the outside of the cast, but the son of the late Early Voting ran well going long for the first time in advance of this heat, and the colt has the speed to avoid being left behind in the race, as well. The dark bay has posted four solid morning moves on the local surface as of late and will be forward throughout under Joel Rosario.