By Karim Hammam
The 2026 Breeders' Cup begins Friday at Keeneland in Kentucky with 10 races, including five Grade 1 contests. Racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge has selected four horses for the opening day's top-level events.
Juvenile Turf Sprint: Libertango favored at 7/4
Libertango, trained by George Boughey, heads the betting for the 18:55 Grade 1 Juvenile Turf Sprint. The filly won the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York, and ran a close second to Sun Goddess in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes. She is offered at 7/4 with bet365 for a one-point win bet.
Juvenile Fillies: Voyager each-way at 20/1
Mark Casse-trained Voyager is recommended each-way at 20/1 with bet365 for the 19:35 Grade 1 Juvenile Fillies. The daughter of Justify won the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine last month and has improved with each start. Ante-post favorite Miss Monica, trained by Bob Baffert, dominates the market after a wide-margin Grade 1 win at Del Mar.
Juvenile Fillies Turf: Sun Goddess top pick at 8/11
Aidan O'Brien's Sun Goddess is the 8/11 favorite with William Hill for the 20:15 Grade 1 Juvenile Fillies Turf. The Sioux Nation filly has won five consecutive races, including the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes. She beat Libertango in the Albany Stakes and looks well-suited by the step up to seven furlongs.
Juvenile Turf: Folsom Blues preferred at 4/1
Joseph O'Brien's Folsom Blues is selected at 4/1 with William Hill for the 21:35 Grade 1 Juvenile Turf. The Blue Point colt won the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh by six lengths and ran a credible second to Amusingly in a Group 1 at Longchamp. Stablemates Great Barrier Reef and Haffner, both trained by Aidan O'Brien, provide strong opposition.
