The pre-entries are in for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and nine young males are now set for next Friday's race at Keeneland. The 1 1/16-mile test, the top event for 2-year-olds in the U.S., will be run at the track for the fourth time.
For Todd Pletcher, the race again offers a familiar stage. He has won the Juvenile four times, including last year with Ted Noffey, and he brings in American History and Damavand among the leading names in the field.
What makes the list matter now is not just the number, but the shape of the race. Hughes, trained by Bob Baffert, arrives unbeaten in four career starts and is the likely favorite after two Grade 1 wins. American History is listed at 9-2 and Coach Pope at 4-1, so the race already has a clear top tier before the gate is even set.
Keeneland also gives this field a built-in test. American History and Coach Pope ran first and second in the Breeders' Futurity there, with American History winning two straight starts with late rallies and Coach Pope holding on after a speed duel. Damavand has his own local form too, winning in his first attempt around two turns last out at Keeneland and then working a fast bullet move 10 days after his maiden win.
That is why Monday's post draw now carries the real interest. Post position matters in a short field at 1 1/16 miles because it can shape the trip from the start, especially when a pace battle is possible and the favorite is still trying to prove he can run down horses with race experience at the track. The next question is not whether the field is deep enough. It is where each of these colts lands when the draw is made.
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile has been producing champions since 1984, and this group will try to add its own name to a list that includes Fierceness, Forte, Essential Quality, Good Magic, Classic Empire, Nyquist, Uncle Mo, Street Sense, Favorite Trick, Unbridled's Song, Timber Country, Arazi and Chief's Crown. Whoever wins next Friday is likely to leave Keeneland as the horse to beat for a championship at year's end.
