Friday night is the opening day of the Breeders' Cup 2026 and Racing Post Tipster Jonny Pearson is on hand to run you through his NAP and next best selection for the juvenile action from Keeneland.
It is a high-quality card and there are five Grade 1 races for the two-year-old across both the turf and the all-weather.
There is a lot of promise on display and on the turf Sun Goddess is the most high-profile runner, while on the dirt all eyes will be on Hughes.
Jonny Pearson's NAP of the day for the Breeders' Cup on Friday 30th October
18:55 Keeneland - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
Libertango @ 11/8
Rider | Flavien Prat |
Trainer | George Boughey |
Owner | Vefa Ibrahim Araci |
Age | 2 |
Overall Form | 11212 |
Stats
Libertango has won three of her five career starts
George Boughey has had success in the US this year with Survie
This is a hot contest to kick us off on the turf and it is the George Boughey-trained LIBERTANGO who has our vote of confidence.
She has been in fine form all season, winning three times and coming runner-up on her other two starts.
Her run last time out in the Cheveley Park Stakes, despite her finishing second, is the best single piece on offer of all the runners in the field.
She was beaten by Sun Goddess, who runs later on the card and looks to be a star, and without having to come up against her this is a great opportunity to win a race at the highest level.
She has been allocated a good draw in stall three and, provided she breaks well and has a good trip round, Libertango is the one they all have to beat.
What is a NAP in Horse Racing?
Next Best Bet
19:35 Keeneland - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
Emphatic @ 9/4
Rider | Tyler Gaffalione |
Trainer | Brendan P Walsh |
Owner | Gainesway Stable & Andrew Rosen |
Age | 2 |
Overall Form | 111 |
Stats
Emphatic is unbeaten in three career runs
Tyler Gaffalione rode the winner of the race in 2022
Our next best bet is EMPHATIC in the Juvenile Filles (Dirt). This looks like a fiercely competitive race and a number of runners with good CVs are bidding to enhance their credentials.
Miss Monica is highly fancied and looks likely to go off favourite and, although a wide winner of a grade 2 last time, the level of form was less than that of Emphatic.
Further to it, Emphatic's success last time out came over the same course and distance and with the same jockey doing the steering here, so she looks to have a lot in her favour and has an outstanding chance of winning.
Tipster's Recent Winners
Jonny Pearson is a handicapper for the Racing Post who has been in good form recently, tipping Warwoven to win the Caulfield Guineas.
Read more horse racing betting tips and predictions on site.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
