Tipsheet: 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

A stout field of 10 juveniles will go postward in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on Friday. The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers of the heat qualifying points on a 30-15-9-6-3 basis.

RELATED: 2024 Breeders' Cup News and Notes

2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Picks

• #6 Citizen Bull
• #5 Jonathan’s Way
• #1 East Avenue
• #10 Chancer McPatrick

2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Wagers

• $20 win and place #6 Citizen Bull
• $5 exacta key box 6 with 1,5,10
• 50-cent superfecta 6 with 1,5,10 with 1,5,10 with ALL

2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Contenders

#1 EAST AVENUE (5-2) – Unblemished son of Medaglia d’Oro outran his foes in a facile Breeders’ Futurity (G1) score and comes in as a morning-line choice in the contest. Godolphin homebred received a tricky rail draw, but he is a superb prospect and will be formidable with a clean break from the inside post slot. Tyler Gaffalione has the call for trainer Brendan Walsh. 

#2 GETAWAY CAR (20-1) – Grade 3 winner finished a clear second in the American Pharoah S. (G1) most recently behind the top play and will add plenty of early speed to the event. The dark bay son of Curlin is especially swift from the gate and stayed on well in his route debut in his latest appearance. He will be in the hunt late with any improvement on Friday. 

#3 HILL ROAD (30-1) – European import is bred to run on any surface but faces a tall task while making his first run on the dirt in this spot. Adrian Murray trainee was unplaced in his first run against winners at the Curragh most recently, and the son of Quality Road would be a surprise with Umberto Rispoli in the silks. 

#4 FEROCIOUS (6-1) – Expensive son of Flatter has been first or second in each of his trio of lifetime runs, led by runner-up showings in the Hopeful S. (G1) and Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Gustavo Delgado charge was well clear of the third-place finisher at Keeneland most recently, and he seems like a fine fit for the race with Javier Castellano riding. 

#5 JONATHAN’S WAY (9-2) – Phil Bauer pupil is perfect from two lifetime starts, and the son of Vekoma has displayed versatility early in his career. The $290,000 weanling buy led throughout in a professional Iroquois S. (G3) triumph in advance of this and has trained well in the interim. Joel Rosario retains the mount. 

#6 CITIZEN BULL (10-1) – Top selection earned a lifetime-best 100 Brisnet Speed number in taking the American Pharoah S. (G1) for trainer Bob Baffert. The Into Mischief colt broke his maiden on debut at Del Mar, and I expect him to sit a fine trip just off of dueling leaders to the top of the lane. Martin Garcia has the assignment. 

#7 GAMING (8-1) – Del Mar Futurity (G1) victor is perfect from a pair of lifetime appearances, both at Del Mar, and he is a contender in a field full of them. Bob Baffert trainee has proven to be capable of winning from on or off of the early tempo, and the son of Game Winner figures to be a late threat on Friday at a nice price. Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the reins adds to his appeal. 

#8 SHIN BELIEVE (10-1) – $800,000 two-year-old purchase was a dominant winner in his debut run in Japan at about 1 1/8 miles for the brilliant Hideyuki Mori. The chestnut colt is an obvious wild card in the group, but he is proven going long and could be almost any kind at a big price. Yutaka Take will be in the stirrups. 

#9 ECORO AZEL (30-1) – The second of the two Mori trainees arriving from Japan was a smart winner at first asking prior to checking in fifth in his black-type debut at Chukyo on Sept. 28. Shancelot colt brought $215,000 at OBS in March, but he is bred to be more of a one-turn type and is a question mark while routing for the initial time on this occasion. 

#10 CHANCER MCPATRICK (3-1) – Unbeaten McKinzie colt comes in with scores in both the Hopeful S. (G1) and Champagne S. (G1) for conditioner Chad Brown, who won this race in 2017 at Del Mar with Good Magic. The $725,000 juvenile purchase has arguably the best turn of foot in the field, and he could get a nice setup in a cast with ample early foot in the mix. Flavien Prat will be in the silks.