Breeders' Cup 2021 Entries: Lineup Odds and Predictions for Friday Races

One of the most lucrative weekends in American horse racing starts Friday, with the Breeders' Cup set to kick off with a five-race slate that will see $7 million in prize money on the line.

While the Breeders' Cup Classic and Dirt Mile will take place Saturday, Friday's schedule is a good look at what the three-year-old landscape will look like in 2022. The biggest race of the evening will be the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, which typically features a preview of some Triple Crown contenders for the following year.

Essential Quality was last year's winner, and he went on to become one of the biggest stars of the season. He won this year's Belmont Stakes and will look to finish the year with a win in the Classic.

Here's a look at the complete schedule for Friday's races, as well as a predicted winner for each.

Breeders Cup Friday Schedule and Odds

Friday, November 5

5:50 p.m.: Juvenile Turf Sprint ($1 million), Averly Jane (5-2)

6:30 p.m.: NetJets Juvenile Fillies ($2 million), Echo Zulu (4-5)

7:10 p.m. Juvenile Fillies Turf ($1 million), Hello You (10-1)

7:50 p.m.: TVG Juvenile ($2 million), Corniche (5-2)

8:30 p.m.: Juvenile Turf ($1 million), Tiz the Bomb (8-1)

Complete odds are available at Horse Racing Nation.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Preview and Prediction

The Juvenile Fillies is a dirt track race for two-year-old fillies that covers 1 1/16 miles. This year's race will feature a small six-horse field that brings plenty of talent to the table.

Echo Zulu is the favorite. the Steven Asmussen charge has already registered two Grade I stakes wins and is unbeaten in three career starts. This could be the most talented field she's seen, but she posted a 99 Equibase speed figure in the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga in September and has traveled well, so that shouldn't be a concern.

Hidden Connection and Juju's Map shouldn't be discounted, though.

The former hasn't seen the kind of competition that Echo Zulu has but has been dominant in her first two career starts, earning two wins at Churchill Downs, including the Grade III Pocahontas Stakes. Juju's Map has a third-placed finish on her record but posted a speed figure of 95 while winning the Grade I Darley Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland.

Expect a tight race down the stretch, but it's hard to go against the most proven horse in the big spot.

Prediction: Echo Zulu

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Preview and Prediction

It can't be understated how big this race is for two-year-olds who are preparing for big campaigns as three-year-olds. Not only is the $2 million the biggest purse in America for a two-year-old race, but the event also usually draws the best in the age group.

For instance, Essential Quality won last year, but the field also featured Hot Rod Charlie and Rombauer, among others. Those who have followed the Triple Crown races this year will be familiar with those names.

This year's Juvenile could also feature a few of the stars of tomorrow. The 11-horse field features a talented field with a combination of experience but there's talent to get excited about.

Jack Christopher may have been the best of the bunch, but he was scratched at the eleventh hour, per Breeders' Cup on Twitter. Chad Brown trained the two-year-old, and although he has only raced twice, his speed was evident. He already has a Grade I stakes win in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park and still could be a contender come Triple Crown season in 2022.

California-based Corniche is set to be a major player in this race. The Bob Baffert-trained colt should be familiar with the track after winning at Del Mar in a Maiden Special Weight race to open his career. However, he looked even better in a Grade I win in the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita.

Given Corniche's comfort with the track at Del Mar, he's the pick with Jack Christopher no longer in the running.

Prediction: Corniche