Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday Dirt Preview: November 3, 2023

The Breeders’ Cup is often referred to as the “World Championships of Horse Racing”. The big day is less than a month away. In the lead up to the event Betting News will be taking a closer look at each division to help you do your homework for the 2023 event being held at Santa Anita Park.

Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday Dirt Preview

In the second installment of the Breeders’ Cup previews we will look close at the two Juvenile dirt races to be contested on the Future Stars Friday Card.

For a preview of all the Friday turf races check out part one of the series.

Like their turf counterparts both of the Breeders’ Cup races on Friday will be for 2 year old horses. For many casual horse racing fans these dirt races will be of great interest as they serve as early preps to the most recognizable races in the sport.

First Weekend in May

The Juvenile Fillies will set up young female horses on the inside track to participation in the Kentucky Oaks.

The Juvenile, which is typical reserved as the last Breeders’ Cup race of the day will establish the early front-runner in the Kentucky Derby future pools.

End of Season Championship

Horses can begin their racing careers at 2 years of age. However, most horses don’t reach physical peak until age 4 or 5. All of the horses entered on Future Stars Friday have had really good success against horses all light on experience. Think of it like their college career.

We’re now down to the top young horses in the world and will soon crown a champion, just as the college football playoff does each and every year.

JaMarcus Russell or Brock Purdy?

As fans watch the Breeders’ Cup there is a temptation to see a brilliant performance and get saddled to that horse as your favorite for the first Friday or Saturday in May.

However, these horses will grow up a lot over the next several months and despite being top of the class as two year old runners, many past champions of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile races have failed to find the winner’s circle on racing’s most recognizable weekend.

For some, like JaMarcus Russell’s failed career with the Raiders, the raw talent which carried them early will never translate into success against tougher more mature competition. Inversely, horses that were largely off the radar, a Mr. or Mrs. Irrelevant like Brock Purdy, could take the step up in class and continue to elevate their game.

Who Will Take the Next Step?

Using the Derby and Oaks prep season next spring to look for massive jumps forward off their 2 year old speed figures including the ones earned in these races can help players find the up and comers vs. the over the hill runners in May.

*The races have not yet officially taken entries yet so the horses listed are just probable and may choose other races or not enter the race.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies is one of the premier horse racing events in the United States, and it holds a special place in the world of Thoroughbred horse racing. This race, typically run at a distance of 1 1/16 miles, showcases the finest two-year-old fillies in the sport and has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1984.

Kentucky Oaks Prep

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies is a significant race because it showcases the future stars of Thoroughbred racing. Many fillies who have excelled in this event go on to have successful careers, often participating in other prestigious races like the Kentucky Oaks and even the Kentucky Derby.

The race provides a valuable platform for owners, trainers, and jockeys to assess the potential of their two-year-old fillies and identify early contenders for the Triple Crown races.

Notable past winners include Songbird, Silverbulletday, and Beholder. These fillies went on to have highly successful racing careers and made indelible marks in the sport.

Juvenile Fillies Contenders

Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd

Just F Y I (USA)

• Record: 2-2-0-0
• Regular Jockey: J Alvarado
• Trainer: B Mott
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont at the Big A

Candied (USA)

• Record: 2-2-0-0
• Regular Jockey: L Saez
• Trainer: Todd Pletcher
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland

Chatalas (USA)

• Record: 3-2-0-0
• Regular Jockey: A Fresu
• Trainer: M Glatt
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Chandelier at Santa Anita Park

Brightwork (USA)

• Record: 5-4-0-0
• Regular Jockey: I Ortiz
• Trainer: J Ortiz
• Key Race(s): 5th in the Grade 1 Alcibiades behind Candied, Winner of the Grade 1 Spinaway and Grade 3 Adirondack at Saratoga

Tamara (USA)

• Record: 2-2-0-0
• Regular Jockey: M Smith
• Trainer: R Mandella
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at Del Mar

Go With Gusto (CAN)

• Record: 2-1-0-1
• Regular Jockey: S Civaci
• Trainer: M Casse
• Key Race(s): 3rd in lone graded stakes try at Woodbine

Scalable (USA)

• Record: 2-0-1-0
• Regular Jockey: M Smith
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): Remains a maiden after finishing 2nd in the Grade 2 Chandelier at Santa Anita behind Tamara

Alys Beach (USA)

• Record: 3-1-0-1
• Regular Jockey: F Prat
• Trainer: T Amoss
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Alcibiades at Keeneland behind Candied and 4th in the Grade 1 Spinaway behind Brightwork

V V’s Dream (USA)

• Record: 4-2-2-0
• Regular Jockey: B Hernandez
• Trainer: K McPeek
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland behind Candied and winner of the Grade 3 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs

Jody’s Pride (USA)

• Record: 2-2-0-0
• Regular Jockey: F Prat
• Trainer: J Abreu
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Matron at Belmont at the Big A

Omaha Girl (USA)

• Record: 3-2-0-0
• Regular Jockey: S Camacho
• Trainer: J Delgado
• Key Race(s): Winner of the listed Hallandale Beach stakes at Gulfstream Park

Life Talk (USA)

• Record: 3-1-1-1
• Regular Jockey: I Ortiz
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont at the Big A behind Just FYI

Esprit Enchante (USA)

• Record: 2-1-0-0
• Regular Jockey: M Smith
• Trainer: P Miller
• Key Race(s): Winner of Maiden Special Weight race at Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Much like the Juvenile Fillies, this race takes it origins back to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984. Also, like its female counterpart this race primarily serves as launching point into the Churchill Downs prep season.

The Americans Rule

Given the preferences of each market this race, and the Fillies version of it are stocked full of mainly American horses. This is in stark contrast to some of the turf events that will be carded on the same day. This is because European turf racing is much more rare and less lucrative than it is here stateside.

The winner of this race will likely become a future stallion regardless of the successes or failures that may come after. Recent winners of the race that have gone on to have productive stud careers include Nyquist, Good Magic, A.P. Indy, and Essential Quality.

Juvenile Contenders

Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd

Timberlake (USA)

• Record: 4-2-1-0
• Regular Jockey: F Geroux
• Trainer: B Cox
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont at the Big A and 2nd in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga

Muth (USA)

• Record: 3-2-1-0
• Regular Jockey: J Hernandez
• Trainer: B Baffert
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Locked (USA)

• Record: 3-2-0-1
• Regular Jockey: J Ortiz
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland

Prince of Monaco (USA)

• Record: 3-3-0-0
• Regular Jockey: F Prat
• Trainer: B Baffert
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and the Grade 3 Best Pal at Del Mar

The Wine Steward (USA)

• Record: 4-3-1-0
• Regular Jockey: L Saez
• Trainer: M Maker
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland behind Locked, Winner of the Funny Cide at Saratoga

General Partner (USA)

• Record: 3-1-1-0
• Regular Jockey: M Frano
• Trainer: C Brown
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 Champagne behind Timberlake

Cuban Thunder (Ireland)

• Record: 6-1-1-1
• Regular Jockey: M Sheehy
• Trainer: A Murray
• Key Race(s): Winner of a Class 2 event at York on turf

Ecoro Neo (Japan)

• Record: 2-0-1-0
• Regular Jockey: F Matsuwaka
• Trainer: H Mori
• Key Race(s): Remains a maiden after a last try in Hong Kong

Wine Me Up (USA)

• Record: 2-1-1-0
• Regular Jockey: R Vazquez
• Trainer: B Baffert
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes behind Muth

Noted (USA)

• Record: 4-2-2-0
• Regular Jockey: I Ortiz
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland

Be You (USA)

• Record: 3-0-1-1
• Regular Jockey: U Rispoli
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 1 American Pharoah behind Wine Me Up and Muth, 4th in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga

Fierceness (USA)

• Record: 2-1-0-0
• Regular Jockey: I Ortiz
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): 7th in the Grade 1 Champagne behind Timberlake

Dancing Groom (USA)

• Record: 3-1-0-1
• Regular Jockey: T McCarthy
• Trainer: A Sano
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 1 Champagne behind Timberlake

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Check out daily horse racing picks and data from Betting News as well as analysis of key stakes card each and every week.

Breeders’ Cup

We will continue to provide extensive coverage of the horse racing world championships in the lead up to the big days. Check back each week for a break down of the various divisions.

The week before the event we will also provide full card analysis and selections for both days.