Futures markets are available for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, where the best youngsters will battle.
Now is a great time to lock in value prices with horse racing betting markets, and the odds usually drop on race day.
Jack Christopher headlines the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 5, but Wit, Pinehurst and Commandperformance are hot on his heels.
Jack Christopher Earmarked for Success
The writing was on the wall early for 2-year-old colt Jack Christopher, who is unbeaten after two starts.
He won his maiden at Saratoga before producing the goods to win the Grade I Champagne Stakes at Belmont, which is an excellent form guide for the Juvenile.
Trainer Chad Brown earmarked Jack Christopher early on, and the son of Munnings hasn’t let connections down.
“He was a horse that identified himself as early on as his first work,” Brown told Americasbestracing. “I was on the phone with the connections saying, ‘This is potentially a really good horse. I can’t believe what I just saw.’ He’s just been brilliant in every work. There was some buzz around him before he ran, and he lived up to it.”
Jack Christopher Leads Brown’s Breeders’ Cup Workers https://t.co/t5XGU1Lnqs #BC2021 pic.twitter.com/ZLDsQdh3gd
— BloodHorse (@BloodHorse) October 16, 2021
He is owned by Coolmore Stud, and they know how to produce a champion juvenile. Given his breeding, we can already see a stud career beckoning as an older horse, but winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is a must-have on his record.
The sportsbook has Jack Christopher at +250 to win. We think he will pay around +175 on race day, so it could pay to jump on that price before bettors start betting the odds down.
Pick: Jack Christopher +250
D-Day for Commandperformance
There are high expectations for Commandperformance at Del Mar next month. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt has found one better in both race day starts, but history might not repeat.
The well-bred son of Union Rags finished second in his debut at Saratoga behind Don’t Wait Up before running a game second behind Jack Christopher in the Champagne.
Turning the tables on the favorite won’t be easy, but he’s a colt who should improve with racing under his belt.
Byron Hughes, assistant trainer to Pletcher, was happy to see him making up ground on Jack Christopher in his last start.
“He had the outside post and Tyler (Gaffalione) took advantage of that. He kept him out there and kept his face clean. He was gaining on the winner at the end and had a good gallop out. We’re happy with the effort,” Hughes said.
Gaffalione believes he has a lot to learn, but will only get better with time.
“I think if he had a little more seasoning he might finish off a little bit better, but he’s still green. He’s still learning but he’s got a bright future,” he said.
We think Commandperformance has plenty of ability. We wouldn’t leave him out at +900, which is an exceptional price with betting online markets.
Pick: Commandperformance +900
Baffert Tees Up Pinehurst
Pinehurst is a son of Twirling Candy, who has the Bob Baffert polish.
The 2-year-old has won both career starts at Del Mar, which only has a positive impact on his chances of winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Pinehurst won his debut before striking in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity over Finneus, which wasn’t the highest-rated win of the season, but winning form can’t be overlooked.
Pinehurst with Juan Ochoa inside of As Time Goes By with Erick Garcia 5F in 1:00.00 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert this morning @santaanitapark @BreedersCup @SienaFarmKY @StarlightRacing @Ersick05 pic.twitter.com/OrsLLM4jNP
— J Safford (@kimo16) October 24, 2021
Baffert has won the Juvenile on four occasions. The first came in 2002 with Vindication, and he has since added wins with Midshipman, New Year’s Day and Game Winner, who saluted in 2018.
Pinehurst fits a similar mold so the +700 is worth taking. We have little doubt those odds will firm on race day, and he could push Jack Christopher for favoritism if the usual Baffert support comes.
