The Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland Race Course features eight two-year-old horses racing for a US$2 million purse. Historically, only two Juvenile winners have gone on to capture the Kentucky Derby.
1 - Damavand
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
Odds: 20-1
Son of Not This Time has one win in two lifetime starts with the victory coming at Keeneland on October 4 at this same distance. Stalked the pace and then won a fist fight down the lane by a neck. Water is much deeper here but has a fearless jockey. Would be surprised if he comes home first.
2 - Gaudreau
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Manny Franco
Odds: 8-1
LATE NON-STARTER
3 - Salahudin
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Tyler Gafflione
Odds: 6-1
Unbeaten in three starts, his last score was at Churchill Downs in the Iroquois Stakes that saw him recover from a horrible break and go worst to first in a one-mile jaunt. Big Race Bob has won this race a record six times and if this improving colt gets out of the gate, he can be a real factor. A play for the exotics and multi-race wagers.
4 - Earth Song
Trainer Jorge Delgado
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Odds: 20-1
Son of Triple Crown winner Justify was beaten nearly 20 lengths while finishing fourth in the one-mile Champagne Stakes in his last start on October 3. Won his previous start at Monmouth Park in a three-horse race. Don’t think he gets the microphone in this one. Look elsewhere.
5 - Hughes
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Odds: 1-1
Even money on the morning line with good reason. This son of Into Mischief is a perfect four for four in his career with three being in graded stakes action. Winning by a combined 24 ½ lengths, he has made things look rather easy to this point. Faces a lot of talent here, but no doubt the one to beat, especially given the trainer and jockey.
6 - American History
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Odds: 9-2
Won the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity here at Keeneland on October 3 with a massive move around the turn and into the stretch. Crafty conditioner has three of the last four runnings of this race and has five wins in the event overall. This son of Constitution is a perfect 2 for 2 and is absolutely a good play here, especially at that price.
7 - Coach Pope
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Odds: 4-1
No doubt will get lots of play as Keeneland is in Lexington and he is named for University of Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope. Son of Tapit has one win and two seconds in three starts and runs like a wildcat. Lots of front-end speed makes him dangerous here. A play for the superfecta for sure.
8 - He Is No Lie
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Odds: 15-1
Son of Early Voting has one win and two seconds in four lifetime starts. Finished just a half-length back of winner in Iroquois stakes at Churchill downs on September 12. Trainer has a knack for getting longer shots top perform and the jockey has had a very good year. Telling No Lie, he’s our price play in this one.
