Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Oct 28, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Hughes wins the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

An excellent field will battle over 1 1/16 miles in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland.

The race is an important stop on the 2026-27 Road to the Kentucky Derby, awarding Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 30-15-9-6-3 basis to the top five finishers.

Hughes is the heavy favorite, and his credentials are eye-catching. He’s won all four of his starts by decisive margins. He took his debut by six lengths, the Best Pal (G3) by 7 3/4 lengths, the Del Mar Futurity (G1) by 4 3/4 lengths, and the American Pharoah (G1) by six lengths.

Along the way, Hughes has run fast. He’s earned Brisnet Speed ratings of 87, 100, 100, and 108. He’s the only Breeders’ Cup Juvenile entrant to earn a triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating, and he’s done so three times.

Hughes has posted a couple of sharp workouts at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and should be tough to beat for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the race a record six times.

His stiffest competition may come from Coach Pope. After finishing second against a deep field in his debut sprinting at Saratoga, Coach Pope stretched out for a one-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs and crushed a large field by 12 1/2 lengths, earning a 99 Brisnet Speed rating.

Just three weeks later, Coach Pope got caught up in a speed duel in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. He pressed pacesetter Q B Rocket through testing fractions of :23.52, :46.54, and 1:10.52, and at one point, the two leaders pulled five lengths clear of the other runners.

𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 makes history of his own, winning the G1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity! 🏆@PletcherRacing trains the 2y/o colt with jockey @ljlmvel aboard for the ride.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/TOhRGP3s6A

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 3, 2026

Coach Pope ultimately prevailed in his battle with Q B Rocket, edging that rival by a neck, but he grew leg-weary down the homestretch and lost first prize by one length to American History.

If Coach Pope avoids getting caught up in another hot pace, he can bounce back with a strong showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #5 Hughes on top of #7 Coach Pope in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is the Best Bet of the Week.