The Haiku Handicapper Presented By NYRA Bets: 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Time to analyze the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile field, in post position order, in the form of Haiku; a Japanese poem of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five.

To read previous editions of The Haiku Handicapper, click here.

#1 – Jack Christopher
It could be argued
He had the best final prep
Tough if traffic-free

#2 – Jasper Great
What's the exchange rate
From a 10-length Japan romp
To U.S. dollars?

#3 – Oviatt Class
Belongs in the field
But there's not a whole lot there
To stand out in it

#4 – Pappacap
Can win at Del Mar
But will his aim remain true
As foes get tougher?

#5 – Double Thunder
Climbing steadily
He'll need to skip a few rungs
To catch the top ones

#6 – American Sanctuary
Flyover standout
Appears to have a ceiling
Well below the best

#7 – Giant Game
Recent graduate
Feels like they're taking a shot
Don't love the angle

#8 – Barossa
He's bred for greatness
But what's he do better than
The other Bafferts?

#9 – Pinehurst
Two months between starts
Rust, two turns are big questions
The track is not, though

#10 – Commandperformance
A willing closer
Still looking for his first win
He could steal a piece

#11 – Tough to Tame
Better with each start
He'll pick up his share of wins
But hard to back here

#12 – Corniche
Freak Del Mar debut
Then 13-point Beyer drop
Feels like a red flag

Prediction
This race loves upsets
Jasper Great grows the legend
One, ten round it out