Top 10 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Finishes

In 1990, Safely Kept got out to the early lead only to be challenged through the entire stretch drive by Dayjur. Dayjur looks like he has the race won until he jumps over a shadow and loses a step late. These two were nose to nose from the top of the stretch until Dayjur jumped the shadow. This would be jockey Craig Perret’s second win and trainer Alan Goldberg’s only win in this event.

In 1989 future winner Safely Kept got out to the early lead only to get nipped at the wire by the late running Dancing Spree, who settled back in ninth place early. He would give Angel Cordero, Jr., back to back winners in this event and trainer Shug McGaughey his only winner in this event. This narrow loss by Safely Kept set up an amazing finish the next year.

In 2009 there was a dramatic finish as four horses hit the wire too close to call. Dancing in Silks was the best that day over front runner Cost of Freedom, Crown of Thorns, and Gayego at Santa Anita. This would be his first and only Grade 1 victory in his first Grade 1 try.

In 1992 Thirty Slew gave trainer Bob Baffert his first Breeders’ Cup Sprint win in dramatic fashion. He managed to catch the filly Meafara in the final yards to win by a neck in an exciting stretch drive.

In 1993, Meafara looked to come back off a close loss to Thirty Slews in an exciting race. Yet, Cardmania had other plans. His late run would beat both Meafara and 1992 winner Thirty Slews at the wire.

In 2002 Thunderello set the early pace and would almost make it gate to wire. Orientate would get up in the final strides to give both jockey Jerry Bailey and trainer D. Wayne Lukas their second Breeders’ Cup Sprint victories.

In 2013, Secret Circle would give Baffert his fourth winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in a gutsy finish. He would rally from six back going wide in the turn to catch Gentlemen’s Bet but then hold off the late charging Laugh Track to win by a head.

Mike Smith would guide Cherokee Run to his first Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory in 1994 with a strong stalking trip. He would duel with Soviet Problem through the stretch and finally get his head out in front right before the wire.

What if Taste of Paradise had been able to get through on the inside? Would the result have been any different? Even after being stymied on his initial bid, he swings to the outside and almost catches Silver Train at the wire.

In 1996, Corey Nakatani would guide the first of three consecutive Breeders’ Cup Sprint winners in Lit de Justice. Track announcer Tom Durkin calls him the “grey blur” as he moves through the field to win by a length and a half and tying the track record time in the process.