Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Races

By Bob Hill
TSV Feature Writer —-

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Races

Del Mar Race Track

October 31, 2025

All five juvenile races will be contested on Day 1 of the Breeders’ Cup Festival. The commentary regarding these picks is intended to be more informative that the guessed order of finish. The high degree of the unknown in juvenile races adds a certain flavor to this first day of racing. Good luck, and have fun.

Race 6: BC Juv Turf Sprint 5 furlongs on turf

9 True Love (7-2): Aidan O’Brien is one of two European-based trainers who dominate in the Breeders’ Cup. True Love is the most accomplished runner in this field. She has never been out of the exacta in six lifetime starts, coming in off a Group 1 win at Newmarket. Cannot blame anyone who picks her first.

12 Lennilu (8-1): This gal may lack pedigree, and she is based at Gulfstream Park (a downgrade for some players). However, Patrick Biancone took her to Royal Ascot last summer where she ran third in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes. Deserves consideration for all the top spots, including the win.

8 Havana Anna (6-1): Was runner-up to True Love last out for Donnacha O’Brien. She owns a win at the distance. Would be an upset winner, but not a shocker.

11 Scwarzenegger (5-1): Trained by Wesley Ward, he won the Indian Summer at Keeneland four weeks ago in only his second start. Disregard any from this barn at your peril.

10 Cy Fair (6-1): Winner at Woodbine at this distance last out. George Weaver is another top turf sprint trainer, and the numbers suggest that this daughter of red hot sire Not This Time fits well with this group.

The Picks: If True Love does not win I believe any of the other ones mentioned above have a legitimate shot. I will not take a short price on the favorite, so I’m ready to bet Lennilu to win.

12–9–10– 1-8

Race 7: BC Juv Filly – 1-1/16 miles on main track

5 Tommy Jo (7-2): Most see this as another Pletcher-Baffert showdown. Tommy Jo was placed first last out after being bumped by Percy’s Bar in the G1 Alcibiades at Keeneland. Her figures suggest she’s good enough to win. Round 1 to Pletcher.

6 Explora (5-2): She’s fast and she’s good. Bred to be a two-turn winner there is little not to like. Would be no surprise to see her win. Her Del Mar Deb race was a clunker??

1 Iron Orchid (6-1): I’m cautious to elevate winners at Aqueduct in company like this, but she is undefeated, and her numbers are good enough to be at the edge of okay here. Possesses tactical speed which Rosario will have to use wisely from the rail draw.

8 Super Corredora (15-1): Lost twice sprinting before cruising around two turns, posting a competitive time and speed figure. She would not be the first good horse to excel routing after being quite average sprinting. Maybe not a win bet, but liberal use in the exotics is in my future.

9 La Wally (10-1): Late runner who could pick up some pieces.

The Picks: Hard for me to see a winner beyond the Pletcher and Baffert pair. Value could come from a score in the exotics with one of the long odds horses. 5-6-1-8-9

Race 8: BC Juv Filly Turf – 1 mile on turf

13 Precise (6-5): Another star from the Aidan O’Brien barn. Double G1 winner. Hard see past her for the win.

9 Time to Dream (5-1): Upset as favorite in G2 Jessamine she will be rolling for redemption in this affair for Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Todd Pletcher.

1 Ultimate Love (8-1): Hard to get respect going three-for-three at Laurel Park, but this daughter of Curlin has done nothing but excel. I will make a win bet on her before taking short odds on Precise.

3 Imaginationthelady (10-1): Was the winner of the aforementioned Jessamine with Dettori aboard. A win for Frankie as he retires from North American racing would be welcomed by many a fan. Not impossible, but definitely a play from the heart – not the head.

2 Queen of Hawaii (12-1): A G3 winner in Germany, she is trained by Joseph O’Brien. His name and connections will attract interest. To her credit, she has improved in each race.

The Picks: I won’t get crazy here as I think Precise is one likely to be facing the best in Europe next summer. As noted, I’m making a win bet on the Laurel Park filly. 13-1-9-3-2

Race 9: BC Juv – 1-1/16 miles on main track

8 Ted Noffey (4-5): No one has come close to him yet, and he’s poised to finish his 2yo season on top. Tactical, nimble, gone!

7 Brant (5-2): Baffert’s best on his home turf. This is his debut race at two turns, a tough assignment in this company. Would love to see a stretch run duel.

1 Intrepid (8-1): Upset winner of the G1 American Pharoah at Santa Anita, he’s trained by the very capable Jeff Mullins. If you’re feeling froggy here, take a shot.

2 Blackout Time (5-1): Runner-up to Ted Noffey at Keeneland, posting a 93 Beyer fig. Doubt he can catch that one, but a second place finish is very possible.

The Picks: This is not the race we’ll make a lot of money. The field is small, and the favorite is a monster. 8-2-7-1

BC Juv Turf – 1 mile on turf

14 Gstaad (9-5): By the numbers he appears to be the best of this bunch. He’s finished second in three consecutive G1 races in Europe after scoring at Ascot last summer. Aidan O’Brien is relatively conservative when spotting his charges, so running this guy back on three weeks rest aggressive for him. Not much else to criticize, so if that’s not the deal breaker for you takew the short money favorite.

6 North Coast (30-1): Was horrible on soft ground in mid-September when finishing fifth in G1 Company in Ireland. Off since then, he sports 30-1 ML odds, which I predict will be below 10-1 at post time. His trainer’s name is a draw – O’Brien (Joseph, the son of Aidan).

9 Argos (6-1): Winner of the G1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine for Riley Mott, he’s improved with each race as the distances have gotten longer. I think his odds might float up, which I would see as an invitation to use him.

3 Outfielder (10-1): Cannot make sense of the sequencing of his races, but Wesley Ward is great with young turf horses. This is a tough place to stretch out to two turns, but it looks like he’s been pointed here by a sharp trainer.

13 Hey Nay Nay (8-1): Undefeated for John Sadler with Joel Rosario aboard after winning on this oval in early September. He’s a very logical contender.

The Picks: If you can convince yourself that Gstaad is vulnerable here’s a place to make some money. North Coast is so tempting at long odds, but Hey Nay Nay and Argos look live to me. If North Coast’s odds fall down into the range of these others, my pick will be Hey Nay Nay. I will not leave any of them off my pick five ticket.
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