Keeler Johnson’s 2026 Breeders’ Cup Selections

The 2026 Breeders' Cup is upon us. Over the course of Friday and Saturday, 14 championship races will take place at Keeneland, matching elite horses from across the U.S. and around the world in exciting battles for supremacy. In 2024, I picked seven out of 14 Breeders' Cup winners. In 2025, my top choices recorded five wins. I hope to land on five or more winners again in 2026. Here are my top two choices in each Breeders' Cup race: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Top Selection: #3 Libertango (IRE) (5-2) has compiled a 5-3-2-0 record while knocking heads with some of the toughest juveniles in Europe. The stretch-running filly beat Sun Goddess (see below) in the Albany (G3), finished second to Sun Goddess in the Cheveley Park, and ran second against future Group 1 winner Senorita Bonita in the Duchess of Cambridge (G2). In between those defeats, Libertango won the Lowther (G2). She should get a solid pace to chase in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, setting the stage for a winning rally. Second Choice: I don't have a strong opinion about the most likely runner-up in the Juvenile Turf Sprint--any number of horses could factor at the finish. #4 Brickyard Belle (3-1), stretch-running winner of the Matron (G3), is a logical contender among the U.S. brigade. But for my second choice, I'll side with the speedy European raider #1 Moonrise (IRE) (12-1), who ran fourth in the Cheveley Park while finishing only 1 3/4 lengths behind Libertango. She's won twice at the Group 3 level and could be a dangerous pace presence if she breaks alertly from the rail post. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Top Selection: I believe #10 Emphatic (9-5) is the likeliest winner at the 2026 Breeders' Cup. She's won all three of her starts with a variety of running styles and exits a fast win in the Alcibiades (G1) over the same track and distance as the Juvenile Fillies. In the Alcibiades, she beat proven Grade 1 winner Summer Starlet by 1 1/4 lengths while Summer Starlet pulled 17 1/2 lengths clear of the rest. I expect Emphatic to sit a perfect trip stalking the pace before taking over to score her fourth straight win. Second Choice: #2 Domain Expansion (6-1) ran into traffic trouble when debuting on turf, but then she switched to dirt and crushed the Oak Leaf (G2) by seven lengths in an eye-catching performance. She always looked like a winner in the Oak Leaf and still has upside, so a top-two finish is well within reach. #5 Miss Monica (5-2) is a logical contender after trouncing the Del Mar Debutante (G1) by 6 1/4 lengths, but she's yet to run in a two-turn race, and it's rare for fillies without experience running long to win the Juvenile Fillies. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Top Selection: Is #9 Sun Goddess (IRE) (6-5) a beast? It certainly looks like that way. Her 6-for-8 record in Europe this year includes top-level wins against tough competition in the Phoenix (G1), Moyglare Stud (G1), and Cheveley Park (G1). In the Phoenix, she defeated the talented colt Folsom Blues, who subsequently won the Vincent O'Brien National (G1) by six lengths. Sun Goddess looks tough to beat for jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien, who have teamed up to win two of the last four editions of this race. Second Choice: #12 Domestic Agenda (8-1) has gone 2-for-2 for trainer Chad Brown, who has won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf six times. She made a nice visual impression when launching a strong charge to win the Miss Grillo (G2) by 4 1/2 lengths, so if Sun Goddess runs below her best while stretching out in distance and tackling an unfamiliar two-turn course, Domestic Agenda is a logical candidate to spring a surprise. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Top Selection: It's hard to knock anything #5 Hughes (1-1) has accomplished. The unbeaten Bob Baffert trainee is 4-for-4 with three graded stakes wins under his belt. He made a great visual impression in his two-turn debut, rating behind the leaders in the American Pharoah (G1) before seizing command with a swift move to draw off and win by six lengths. He's posted a couple of fast workouts in Kentucky since then and should have every chance to shine again in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Second Choice: #7 Coach Pope (4-1) broke his maiden by 12 1/2 lengths, then wheeled back in three weeks for the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and got caught up in a race-long duel with promising rival Q B Rocket. The pace was intense, and Coach Pope did well to battle on and finish second by one length against stretch-running #6 American History (9-2). In the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Coach Pope will break from an outside post in a small field, giving him options to avoid another speed duel. With the right trip, Coach Pope should be dangerous. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Top Selection: My original top choice #11 Man's Best Friend (IRE) (15-1) has scratched, and it sounds like my planned second choice #14 Great Barrier Reef (IRE) (4-1) is an uncertain starter too, so I've ultimately settled on #4 Haffner (8-1) as my preferred candidate to win the Juvenile Turf. Haffner struggled over yielding turf in the Vincent O'Brien National (G1), finishing seventh behind #10 Folsom Blues (IRE) (7-2), who is back for the Breeders' Cup. But Haffner sandwiched that defeat between wins in the Acomb (G3) and Royal Lodge (G2). The son of Justify should appreciate finding firm ground at Keeneland, opening the door for a competitive performance. It's encouraging to note he gained experience over a turning course when second in the seven-furlong Vintage (G2) at Goodwood, a race in which he finished narrowly in front of Al Hudaiba, who subsequently won the Summer (G1). Second Choice: It remains to be seen how #5 How's Al Today (3-1) will stack up against the remaining Europeans in the Juvenile Turf field, but he's the morning-line favorite thanks to a pair of decisive wins on turf at Kentucky Downs. Last time out, he nabbed the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile over a field including next-out graded stakes winners Jas and #13 Agate (10-1), so How's Al Today has beaten quality competition and warrants respect in the Breeders' Cup. Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Top Selection: There's plenty of pace in this field, so I'll take a chance backing #6 Majestic Oops (15-1), a late runner cutting back in distance. Majestic Oops has shown quality form running long, even beating champion Nitrogen in the 1 1/16-mile Azeri (G2), but she's also a capable sprinter who won the six-furlong American Beauty S. with a strong finish. A hot pace in the Filly & Mare Sprint may allow Majestic Oops use her two-turn stamina to unleash a winning drive in the homestretch. Second Choice: #12 Kilwin (8-1) is another stretch runner who could be aided by a fast pace. She boasts three wins and a second from four starts on dirt, most notably winning the Test (G1) last year. She's only run twice in 2026, but exits a respectable runner-up effort to #2 Ways and Means (7-5) in the Ballerina (G1), an effort she can build upon at Keeneland. Ways and Means is the heavy favorite after winning the Ballerina by 5 1/2 lengths, but it's worth noting she's 7-for-8 in New York and 0-for-5 in other states. I wonder if shipping to Keeneland for the Filly & Mare Sprint will compromise Ways and Means' chances. Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Top Selection: #13 Starlust (GB) (20-1) has recorded top-four finishes in three straight group stakes in Europe. He's arguably in better form now than he was in 2024, when he shipped to the U.S. and rallied from behind a blazing pace to upset the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at 33-1. He'll find plenty of pace to chase while returning stateside for this year's Turf Sprint, so there's a chance he'll spring another major surprise. Don't forget, Starlust has actually run well twice at the Breeders' Cup--he finished third by 1 1/4 lengths as a 24-1 longshot in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Second Choice: Although based in the U.S., #3 Bacio (5-2) has enjoyed his strongest success in England. In June, he trounced a five-furlong handicap at Royal Ascot by 3 3/4 lengths. Then in August, he returned to the U.K. and wired the Nunthorpe (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths over Starlust. There's a chance Bacio's abundant speed will carry him to Breeders' Cup glory, but he's facing lots of other pace players in the Turf Sprint, and stretching out from five furlongs to 5 1/2 furlongs could potentially be problematic. Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Top Selection: It's been a while since #3 Full Serrano (ARG) (10-1) last visited the winner's circle, but the 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner shouldn't be underestimated as he seeks to regain his Dirt Mile title. Last time out, he put up a good fight in the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic (G1), battling with the victorious Knightsbridge through fast splits of :23.17, :45.94, and 1:10.02 before weakening in the drive to finish third. If Full Serrano is rounding back into form, then cutting back to one mile may unlock his best performance in a long time. Second Choice: If you forgive his troubled 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and his fifth-place run over a sloppy track in the Haskell (G1), #1 Further Ado (2-1) boasts solid form. Last time out, he overcame some traffic trouble to rally and finish second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Three-year-olds cutting back in distance for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile have recorded plenty of top-two finishes through the years, and Further Ado is a logical candidate to crack the exacta at Keeneland, where he obliterated the Blue Grass (G1) by 11 lengths during the spring. Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Top Selection: #12 Blue Bolt (IRE) (5-2) has been on fire this year, going 6-for-6 while rattling off wins in the Falmouth (G1), Prix Rothschild (G1), Matron (G1), and Sun Chariot (G1). She's yet to race farther than one mile, but that didn't stop Inspiral from stretching out to win the 2023 Filly & Mare Turf. Blue Bolt has run well over turning courses (even negotiating a left-handed bend at Leopardstown) and should have every chance to snag a fifth straight top-level win. Second Choice: #11 Precise (IRE) (7-2) has finished behind Blue Bolt on three occasions this season, but she recently stretched out over 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) to finish second in the Prix de l'Opera (G1). If Blue Bolt falters while stretching out over 1 3/16 miles in the Filly & Mare Turf, Precise--with her proven ability to stay beyond one mile--may have a chance to turn the tables. Breeders' Cup Sprint Top Selection: Former claimer #3 Liam Smith (20-1) has won his last four dirt starts in increasingly impressive fashion. Last time out, he wired a 6 1/2-furlong $50,000 allowance optional claimer at Santa Anita while setting some of the fastest pace fractions I can recall seeing in a dirt sprint--:20.92 and :42.86. He hit the wire 5 1/2 lengths clear in 1:13.90. Was the track fast for Liam's Smith's allowance win? Yes. Is the Breeders' Cup Sprint a much tougher race? Absolutely. But at 20-1, I'm willing to bet on the possibility Liam Smith is a top-tier sprinter in the making who can use his abundant speed to wire the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Second Choice: #13 Englishman (4-5) is the heavy favorite after winning the Woody Stephens (G1) and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) in fast times. But can he cut back from seven furlongs to beat older rivals in the Breeders' Cup Sprint? In the Jerkens, he benefited from setting a slow opening quarter-mile in :23.01, and the form of the race took a hit when runner-up Deep Flame came back to finish sixth in the Perryville (G3). I think there's a chance Englishman will find the pace of the Breeders' Cup Sprint hotter than ideal (especially while breaking from post 13), though I won't want to leave him off multi-race wagers. Breeders' Cup Mile Top Selection: #8 Notable Speech (GB) (7-5) won the 2025 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) with a strong late charge, and he remains a force to reckon with in 2026. He won the Lockinge (G1) and City of York (G1) during a British campaign, then shipped to North America and took the Woodbine Mile (G1) for the second year in a row. Notable Speech's Woodbine Mile triumph came at the expense of multiple Grade 1 winner #1 Deterministic (8-1), and a similar performance at Keeneland should send Notable Speech back to the winner's circle. Second Choice: #2 Lake Forest (GB) (6-1) couldn't match strides with Notable Speech in the City of York, finishing second by 2 3/4 lengths, but he subsequently shipped to Keeneland and ran strongly in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1). Despite rating in fifth place behind a pedestrian pace, Lake Forest finished up nicely down the lane to finish second behind gate-to-wire winner #9 Rhetorical (8-1). With a better pace setup in the Breeders' Cup Mile, Lake Forest can record another exacta finish. Breeders' Cup Distaff Top Selection: #4 Fully Subscribed (8-5) has improved a lot in the last year, as evidenced by her decisive wins in the Personal Ensign (G1) and Spinster (G1). In the latter race, held over the same track and distance as the Distaff, Fully Subscribed beat multiple Grade 1 winner Counting Stars and champion Immersive by 3 1/4 lengths. I believe she's sitting on another strong showing. Second Choice: #2 Nitrogen (6-5), the champion three-year-old filly of 2025, beat Fully Subscribed by 12 3/4 lengths in the June 5 Ogden Phipps (G1) and later ran second to 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the Whitney (G1). Either of those efforts would make her tough to beat in the Distaff. However, it's worth noting Nitrogen is 3-for-4 competing over the Saratoga dirt and 2-for-6 at all other dirt tracks. She seems to produce her best efforts at Saratoga, so there's a chance she'll be vulnerable while taking her game to Keeneland. Breeders' Cup Turf Top Selection: #2 Benvenuto Cellini (IRE) (6-1) was beaten only 4 1/4 lengths when finishing ninth in the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). Earlier this year, he was an effective campaigner over 1 1/2 miles, winning the Irish Derby (G1) and finishing third against accomplished older rivals Kalpana and Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (G1). Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore have teamed up to win the Breeders' Cup Turf three times, and with Benvenuto Cellini--who can work out a ground-saving trip from post 2--they appear to have another solid shot at victory. Second Choice: #12 Diamond Necklace (IRE) (3-1), a three-year-old filly trained by O'Brien, finished third by 1 1/2 lengths in the Arc de Triomphe. Previously, she conquered the Prix de Diane (G1) and Nassau (G1), showing strong form against top-tier competition. She's relatively untested over 1 1/2 miles and must avoid a wide trip from post 12, but Diamond Necklace is a logical candidate to vie for victory in the Turf. Breeders' Cup Classic Top Selection: #7 Knightsbridge (9-2) is brilliant on his best day. During the summer, he trounced the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Cup (G3) in the fast time of 1:47.51 and dominated the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic (G1) by 6 1/4 lengths. In the Pacific Classic, Knightsbridge dueled with Full Serrano through stiff fractions of :23.17, :45.94, and 1:10.02--remarkably quick for a race with only 15 feet of run-up distance. Knightsbridge could have faltered from his efforts, but instead he kicked on to win decisively. The scratch of #6 Magnitude (6-1) has taken some speed out of the Classic field, so Knightsbridge is poised to work out a favorable trip setting or stalking a reasonable pace. I think he'll offer the best betting value in this competitive field. Second Choice: #5 Forever Young (JPN) (2-1) has earned over $32 million while traveling the world and winning major prizes like the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic and two editions of the Saudi Cup (G1). He prepped for this year's Classic with a solid 3 1/4-length triumph in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and rates a strong chance to become the second two-time Classic winner following Tiznow in 2000-01. Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the 14 Breeders' Cup races? ***** Want to test your handicapping skills against fellow Unlocking Winners readers? Check out the Unlocking Winners contests page. There's a new challenge every week!