Tipsheet: Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2021
Pinehurst (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
November 2nd, 2021
A dozen two-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Del Mar main track in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
In addition to going a long way in determining the champion two-year-old male of the season, the lucrative test also acts as a qualifying race on the 2021-22 Road to the Kentucky Derby, with the top-four finishers earning points on a 20-8-4-2 basis.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Picks
- #10 Commandperformance
- #12 Corniche
- #1 Jack Christopher
- #9 Pinehurst
- #3 Oviatt Class
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Wagers
The video below contains all available race replays for Breeders' Cup contenders' last racing effort, for your handicapping ease. TwinSpires has your back!
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Contenders
#1 JACK CHRISTOPHER (9-5) has been dominant in New York and draws inside as the morning line choice for trainer Chad Brown. The chestnut son of Munnings is very quick from the gate and fired a bullet morning workout in his latest drill. Kentucky-bred will be prominent from the start under Jose Ortiz.
#2 JASPER GREAT (15-1) won on debut with ease at Hanshin and will make his U.S. debut in this endeavor. The Japanese invader is a wildcard in the cast, but the son of Arrogate has proven to be capable of going long, and the gray could be any kind in this spot. Yuichi Fukunaga has the riding assignment.
#3 OVIATT CLASS (20-1) made up a lot of ground when a late third in the American Pharoah S. (G1) in his latest endeavor for trainer Keith Desormeaux. The Bernardini colt is from a fine female family, and the bay should be dead-fit following four career tries in preparation of his toughest test to date. February foal has improved his Brisnet Speed rating with each start and rates as a top-three contender at a big price. Kent Desormeaux is named to ride.
#4 PAPPACAP (15-1) was second best behind a clear winner in the American Pharoah, a promising effort for trainer Mark Casse. Florida-bred son of top young sire Gun Runner was a facile victor of the Best Pal S. (G2) on the course three back, and he will be dangerous with another move forward on Friday. Joe Bravo will be in the silks.
#5 DOUBLE THUNDER (20-1) is the first of the Pletcher duo in the cast. Grade 3 winner comes off a runner-up showing in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and will be equipped with blinkers for the initial time in the Juvenile. Flavien Prat will guide the interesting longshot.
#6 AMERICAN SANCTUARY (30-1) owns a pair of stakes placings and rallied to be a decent fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity in his most recent showing. Christopher Davis-trained son of American Freedom has two route races under his belt and also has some top-four appeal with any improvement in this test. Florent Geroux riding adds to his appeal.
#7 GIANT GAME (30-1) came home fast in a recent maiden win at Keeneland and has the look of an interesting long-term prospect. The $500,000 son of Giant’s Causeway faces a tall task against this field, but he obviously has ability and could be a late presence for the exotics in the Juvenile. Joe Talamo will be in the stirrups.
#8 BAROSSA (10-1) is improving in every start for trainer Bob Baffert. Expensive son of Into Mischief was a game maiden winner at Santa Anita most recently, and the colt is another who could challenge for a placing with another step in the right direction. The bay will have Juan Hernandez riding.
#9 PINEHURST (8-1) dominated the Del Mar Futurity (G1) on the oval last time to move his unbeaten mark to two. Second of the Bob Baffert trio has substantial early speed, and the Twirling Candy colt is bred to run long. The $385,000 yearling purchase loves Del Mar and has John Velazquez signed on for the voyage. He is a win contender for sure.
#10 COMMANDPERFORMANCE (5-1) gets top billing despite being a maiden for Todd Pletcher. The gray son of Union Rags has displayed a fine turn of foot while recording runner-up finishes in both lifetime tries, including a strong second in the Champagne S. (G1) most recently. The March foal is training well and will thrive in his first two-turn test on Friday. Irad Ortiz riding is a huge plus as well.
#11 TOUGH TO TAME (30-1) was a close second in the Iroquois S. (G3) last time out for Christopher Davis. Speightster colt is improving with each lifetime performance, but he will need a lifetime best to pull off the upset from this demanding post slot. Sophie Doyle will ride the exotics contender.
#12 CORNICHE (5-2) has yet to be headed from a pair of impressive career outings for Bob Baffert. The $1.5 million two-year-old purchase was a facile debut winner at Del Mar, and he handled the move to two turns with ease at Santa Anita last time out. Imposing son of Quality Road will be in the mix from the opening bell with regular rider Mike Smith at the controls.
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