As much as Europeans generally have an edge in Breeders’ Cup turf races, the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF has historically been an exception. Since 2011, eight of 15 Mile winners have been based in the United States. Lately, though, the edge has rested with the Europeans and other foreign runners who have won five of the last six editions. Will it be history or recency this year at Keeneland?

1. Deterministic (8-1): He’s one of the top American hopefuls. Has won three of four starts in 2026 but finished second to Notable Speech after setting the pace in the Woodbine Mile Stakes. He can run comfortably in second but drawing the rail works against that tactic.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Miguel Clement

2. Lake Forest (6-1): Came over from Europe and did not have the best of trips while finishing second to Rhetorical in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland. A better trip will help his chances, though he was 2 ¾ lengths behind Notable Speech in the Group 1 City of Troy Stakes in August at York.

JOCKEY: Cieren Fallon; TRAINER: William Haggas

3. Facteur Cheval (30-1): Took a nice step forward in his second U.S. start, winning a Keeneland allowance race in good time. The 7-year-old was Group 1-placed multiple times in Europe and won a Group 1 in Dubai. He could be an interesting longshot possibility here.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Mark Casse

4. Cabo Spirit (30-1): He’s fast and will be part of what shapes up as a heated pace scenario. Seems a tough assignment for him here with the depth of the field and abundance of speedsters.

JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: George Papaprodromou

5. Ask Ikigomi (20-1): Japanese hopeful is short on experience with just three career starts, all this year as a 3-year-old.

JOCKEY: Ryusei Sakai; TRAINER: Hideaki Fujiwara

6. Zulu Kingdom (15-1): He won the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes here in the spring but disappointed in the Turf Mile, finishing fifth behind Rhetorical. Figures to be involved in the early pace that could spell trouble for him.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown

7. Qirat (8-1): Crossed the Atlantic after wining the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp. Was 11-1 there but is another who figures to add more logs to the fire that should be the early pace.

JOCKEY: Colin Keane; TRAINER: Ralph Beckett

Notable Speech (Eclipse Sportswire)

8. Notable Speech (7-5): Winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile when he rallied from seventh, he should get a great set-up here with so much speed in front of him. Seems a logical choice, though he was a troubled fourth in the Maker’s Mark Mile here earlier in the year.

JOCKEY: William Buick; TRAINER: Charles Appleby

9. Rhetorical (8-1): The other main American hope has the kind of speed that is usually an asset here. But in a race loaded with front-runners it will be a big challenge to contend with them and then try to hold off closers such as Notable Speech. Was fourth in last year’s BC Mile.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: William Walden

10. Lugal (30-1): Has tailed off in his last two starts. Was 14^th in a Grade 1 six-furlong sprint in Japan, three months after finishing eighth in the six-furlong Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. He’s yet to race as far as a mile and also should be close to the lead in the early going.

JOCKEY: Oisin Murphy; TRAINER: Haruki Sugiyama

11. Formidable Man (15-1): Rallied for second in last year’s BC Mile at 18-1 odds. Won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita to start the year but then was third in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes and seventh in the Mint Millions Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs. Seems to struggle outside of California.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy

True Love (Eclipse Sportswire)

12. True Love (8-1): Did not draw well with post 11, but this filly is very talented. Won the prestigious Group 1 Prix de la Foret against older males in France and should be charging at the end if she can avoid a very wide trip.

JOCKEY: Wayne Lordan; TRAINER: Aidan O’Brien

13. Brilliant Berti (30-1): Had some traffic issues when fourth in the Coolmore Turf Mile. Has not won a graded stakes since June 2025 and faces a difficult trip from this post.

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux

14. Puerto Rico (10-1): Was only beaten by two heads in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret in France. Was no better than sixth in his three starts before that, raising question marks from the outside post, even with Ryan Moore aboard. Interestingly, Moore rode True Love for O’Brien in the Foret but handles this one here.

JOCKEY: Ryan Moore; TRAINER: Aidan O’Brien

15. Vina Arana (30-1): Also-eligible filly picks a tough spot to face males for the first time in the U.S.

JOCKEY: Adam Beschizza; TRAINER: Jack Sisterson

THE PICK: Notable Speech

LIVE LONGSHOT: Facteur Cheval

SUPERFECTA: 6-12-14-3