Manuka Honey Named in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Pre-Entries

Manuka Honey has been pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies 2026 at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 30. The Brian Lynch trainee is unbeaten in three starts and won the Pocahontas Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 12. The race is part of Future Stars Friday at the Breeders’ Cup 2026.

The unbeaten Grade 3 winner is preparing to step up in distance, covering 1 1/16 miles for the first time.

3-0-0Record (3 Starts)

1stLast Race: Pocahontas (G3)

NoWin and You’re In

NoneKeeneland Starts

Manuka Honey at a Glance

Trainer / Jockey: Brian Lynch / Luis Saez (regular rider)

Owner: Lisa Lee, Jason Sciortino, William Lynch, Brian Howe and Terry Hamilton

Pedigree: Upstart – Drop Dead Red, by Hold Me Back

Earnings: $383,981

Last Race: 1st Pocahontas Stakes (G3), Churchill Downs, Sept. 12

Last Workout: TBA

How Qualified: On the official Breeders’ Cup possible starters list; fields are set by Breeders’ Cup Challenge points and panel selection

Race: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies — 1 1/16 miles, dirt, $2 million

Breeders’ Cup Entries and Key Dates

Pre-Entries Closed

Monday, Oct. 19, 12:00 PM ET

Pre-Entries Announced

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Post Position Draw

Monday, Oct. 26, 5:00 PM ET, Keeneland Sales Pavilion

Morning Line

TBA (set at the draw)

Post Position

TBA

Juvenile Fillies Post Time

Friday, Oct. 30, 3:35 PM ET (Race 7)

Follow the full field on the Breeders’ Cup pre-entries and contenders page, and the race-by-race card on the Breeders’ Cup schedule.

Recent Form

Manuka Honey: Last 3 Starts

09/12/26 — Pocahontas (G3), Churchill Downs, 1 mile, 1st.

09/26/26 — Ellis Park Debutante, Ellis Park, 7 furlongs, 1st.

Maiden Special Weight, Churchill Downs, 5 furlongs, 1st.

She has won all three starts, by 7 1/4 lengths on debut, by 7 lengths in the Ellis Park Debutante and by 2 lengths in the Pocahontas, stepping up in distance each time.

Can Manuka Honey Win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies?

Why She Can

• Unbeaten in three starts, all on dirt, with $383,981 in earnings.
• Already proven at a mile, winning the Pocahontas (G3) by 2 lengths.
• Won her first two starts by 7 1/4 and 7 lengths.

Why She Might Not

• Has never run at Keeneland or at 1 1/16 miles.
• Her stakes wins came at Grade 3 level and in an ungraded stakes; no Grade 1 experience yet.
• Will be coming off a seven-week break since the Sept. 12 Pocahontas.

Keeneland Fit

At Keeneland: No starts

At 1 1/16 Miles: No starts

On Dirt: 3: 3-0-0

In the Breeders’ Cup: No starts

Manuka Honey Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Outlook

She brings a perfect record and a graded stakes win at a mile, but she has yet to face Grade 1 company like Alcibiades winner Emphatic or Frizette winner Dotsy. Our full picks follow once the post positions and morning line are set at the Oct. 26 draw.

Main rivals among the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies contenders: Emphatic (won the Alcibiades, G1, at Keeneland, the race’s 1 1/16-mile distance); Dotsy (won the Frizette, G1, at Belmont); Scarlett Begonia (finished 2nd to her in the Pocahontas).

Manuka Honey FAQ

When is the Breeders’ Cup morning line?

The morning line for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies is set at the post position draw on Monday, Oct. 26. Until then, follow futures prices on the Breeders’ Cup odds page.

Who trains and rides Manuka Honey?

Brian Lynch trains Manuka Honey. Luis Saez is her regular rider; the Breeders’ Cup rider has not been confirmed.

When is the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies?

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at Keeneland, as Race 7 with post time at 3:35 PM ET.

When is the Breeders’ Cup draw?

The Breeders’ Cup post position draw is Monday, Oct. 26 at 5:00 PM ET at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion.

What is Manuka Honey’s record?

Three wins from three starts (3-0-0) and $383,981 in earnings.

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