Expert Pick of the Week: 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Oct 29, 2024

An outstanding field of 10 juveniles will go postward in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar. The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers of the event with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 30-15-9-6-3 structure.

American Pharoah S. (G1) victor Citizen Bull, one of three in the field for conditioner Bob Baffert, ran his best race to date when going long at Santa Anita last time, and I feel that the son of Into Mischief will take another step forward in his second run while going a route of ground. Purchased for $675,000 as a yearling, the Kentucky-bred debuted on Aug. 17 and was a winner in a 5 1/2-furlong heat at Del Mar, which preceded a third-place result in the subsequent Del Mar Futurity (G1) on Sept. 8.

Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Citizen Bull 📝 @J_Keelerman @KentuckyDerby https://t.co/gxZoZVGkUv

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 11, 2024

Citizen Bull took command soon after the start of the American Pharoah and never looked back en route to a decisive, two-length tally while registering a lifetime-best 100 Brisnet Speed number in the process. The bay has trained swiftly in the interim, and he also received a nice draw outside of the major pace in the race as well. Martin Garcia, who has been in the silks for two of his three lifetime tries to date, has the assignment once again.

Rigney Racing’s Jonathan’s Way has been visually impressive from a pair of easy wins to begin his career and will be formidable with an expected move forward on Friday. Trained by Phil Bauer, the talented son of Vekoma has won from both on and off the early pace and has trained well in advance of his toughest test to date, too. The son of exciting young sire Vekoma figures to rate off of a swift and contested early pace prior to putting in his best run late with Joel Rosario in the stirrups.

Godolphin homebred East Avenue has decimated a pair of fields on the front end to commence his career, led by a waltz in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last time out. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the standout son of Medaglia d’Oro is fast early and strong late, and the bay appears to be working well in preparation for his West Coast debut as well. Tyler Gaffalione retains the ride.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #6 Citizen Bull on top of #1 East Avenue and #5 Jonathan’s Way in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is the Best Bet of the Week.