It is a feeling like Christmas Eve for racing fans this week, as the wait for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup is finally coming to an end. Day one of the action at Del Mar gets underway on Friday, as some of the world’s best two-year-olds are in action. Find the best tips to make with the leading horse racing sites below.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
The road to the Kentucky Derby starts for two-year-olds on Friday, as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is the featured race on the dirt. It is a Grade 1, run over 1 1/16 miles. Essential Quality won this race 12 months ago, and will be lining up in the Classic on Saturday evening.
Jack Christopher is seen by many as a very good thing for this race on Friday, as he has won on both previous runs. He was very impressive in the G1 Champagne on his last start, and will be looking to win this race for a second time for trainer Chad Brown.
Commandperformance finished behind Jack Christopher in the Champagne Stakes, and should be likely to go even closer once again here. He is certainly bred for success in this race, as Tapit has been the winning stallion on two previous occasions. However, it could go the way of Pinehurst, who is two from two, and both wins have come at Del Mar. His most recent victory was in the G1 Del Mar Futurity, and a wider draw will certainly help his chances.
Pick: Pinehurst
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
Grade 1 action continues with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, which is run over a distance of a mile. A number of European hopefuls will have decent chances here, including Dubawi Legend. He is one from three in 2021, and looks to be one that will enjoy having the extra distance to cover.
Albahr is the leading Charlie Appleby hope in here, and Frankie Dettori will take the ride. He has won four from five starts in 2021, which includes Grade 1 success last time out in Canada in the Summer Stakes. He is improving with every run, and looks to be the outstanding chance from the horses at the top of the betting.
Tiz The Bomb is another horse that we like a lot, as the two-year-old has won three in four starts this season. He won the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile earlier in the season, and added a graded win with the G2 Castle & Keg Bourbon on his last start; beating some of his rivals that will be lining up in here. He could be a major player at a bigger price.
Pick: Albahr (Win) Tiz The Bomb (EW)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
The only Grade 2 taking place as a championship race for the two-year-olds is the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Wesley Ward has an excellent record in this race, and he has two very lively chances this weekend.
Averly Jane has done nothing wrong in her racing career to date, and protects her perfect record in Friday. She has made a habit of beating fields with ease to date. Armor is the best European hope, as he won the G3 Molecomb at Goodwood earlier in the season. If it turns into a pace contest, that will only suit this contender.
However, we like the chances of the other Ward horse. Twilight Gleaming won an impressive race in France on her last start, and also won the G2 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot earlier in the year. With all the attention on her stablemate, she could surprise a few.
Pick: Twilight Gleaming
Other Day 1 Breeders’ Cup Picks
| Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf | Turnerloose |
| Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies | Echo Zulu |
