Breeders’ Cup Friday 2024 Preview

By Jarrod Horak

In this article, I will preview the Breeders’ Cup Friday program. The BC pre-entries were announced on Wednesday, Oct. 23, and the BC Friday card will be run at Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. 

The final Breeders’ Cup entry day is Monday, Oct 28, and we will know post positions and morning line odds at that time.

Race 6 – BC Juvenile Turf Sprint

The first Breeders’ Cup event of 2024 will be run at five furlongs on the turf course, and early-pressing types usually have the edge at this abbreviated distance. 

This is a relatively new Breeders’ Cup race. It was first run in 2018 and Bulletin won the inaugural running for trainer Todd Pletcher. Wesley Ward saddled the winner of this race in 2019, 2020, and 2021, but he does not have an entrant this year.

The last two runnings won by overseas shippers Mischief Magic and Big Evs. Charles Appleby saddled the former and Michael Appleby (no relation) saddled the latter. The last three winners including Twilight Gleaming (Ward) raced overseas in their start prior to the Breeders’ Cup, and they were all bred in Ireland. 

Race 7 – BC Juvenile Fillies

This is also a Kentucky Oaks 2025 points race. Early speed can be dangerous in this race, and watch out for horses exiting a good effort in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes.

This race has been held twice at Del Mar. Caledonia Road, exiting a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Frizette in New York, shipped to California and rallied from post 12 to score by 3 1/4 lengths at 17-1 odds under Mike Smith. 2021 Frizette (G1) winner Echo Zulu ran her record to 4-for-4 after going all the way by 5 1/4 lengths as the strong favorite in this event at Del Mar in 2021.

Fast forward to 2024 and strong Frizette morning line favorite Senza Parole scratched out of that heat. Scottish Lassie took advantage of the scratch and stalked and romped by 9 lengths to earn her diploma in her second career start in the Grade 1 Frizette, and beaten favorite Snowyte was clearly second best in the 7-horse field.  

Race 8 – BC Juvenile Fillies Turf

Chad Brown has had success with his Miss Grillo Stakes runners in this race over the years. Maram (2008), Lady Eli (2014), New Money Honey (2016), Newspaperofrecord (2018), and Hard to Justify (2023) pulled off the Miss Grillo/BC Juvenile Fillies Turf double for Brown, who also saddled Rushing Fall to victory in this race in 2017 at Del Mar. The latter did not prep in the Miss Grillo. She exited a win in the Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland. 

This year, Brown has Miss Grillo runner-up Virgin Colada. She owns decent late pace ratings and will try to get involved in the stretch at Del Mar. 

Race 9 – BC Juvenile

This is also a Ky Derby 2025 points race and there is plenty of quality in this heat. Two-time Grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick will try to get involved late for Chad Brown. Bob Baffert has three Juvenile runners including Grade 1 American Pharoah winner Citizen Bull and Del Mar Futurity (G1) hero Gaming. Throw in Breeders’ Futurity winner (G1) East Avenue and Iroquois (G3) winner Jonathan’s Way, and this race has the makings of a thrilling event.

Race 10 – BC Juvenile Turf

Horses making their last start overseas have won the BC Juvenile Turf a dozen times in 17 years. The Pilgrim Stakes has been a productive prep race over the years for the stateside runners. Zulu Kingdom and Noble Confessor finished first and second in the 2024 Pilgrim.