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The Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is a $2 million dirt championship for Thoroughbreds aged three and older, contested over six furlongs during the Breeders' Cup World Championships. One of the event's original championship races, the Sprint attracts elite speed horses from across North America and international racing circuits, bringing together established Grade 1 winners and emerging sprint specialists. Explosive acceleration, early pace, positioning and the ability to sustain speed through the finish make it one of the most demanding betting races on championship weekend. Explore the latest 2026 Breeders' Cup Sprint odds, entries, betting opportunities, race information and past winners below.
| 2026 Breeders' Cup Sprint Race Information | |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| Racetrack | Keeneland Race Course |
| Location | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Race Number | Race 8 |
| Post Time | 3:42 PM ET |
| Grade | Grade 1 |
| Purse | $2,000,000 |
| Distance | 6 furlongs (3/4 mile) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Eligibility | Three-year-olds and older, both sexes |
| Maximum Starters | 14 |
| Championship Day | Championships Saturday |
| Breeders' Cup Challenge | Designated Win and You're In qualifying races |
| Dirt Dozen Bonus Series | Selected dirt sprint stakes provide entry-fee credits to eligible top-three finishers |
| Kentucky Derby / Oaks Points | None. This is not a Derby or Oaks qualifying race. |
Compare the latest Breeders' Cup Sprint odds and entries in the table below. Review each contender's proven six-furlong form, Grade 1 performances, available betting prices and ability to handle a fast-paced dirt championship. The official starting positions, jockey assignments and scratches become particularly important in a race where a sharp start can influence the outcome. Check the final draw and current conditions before making your selections. Morning-line odds are estimates, while actual betting prices can change until wagering closes.
| PP | Horse | Fractional | American |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kopion | 7/2 | +350 |
| 2 | Banishing | 15/1 | +1500 |
| 3 | Lovesick Blues | 10/1 | +1000 |
| 4 | Patriot Spirit | 30/1 | +3000 |
| 5 | Big City Lights | 15/1 | +1500 |
| 6 | Dr. Venkman | 15/1 | +1500 |
| 7 | Imagination | 6/1 | +600 |
| 8 | Nakatomi | 15/1 | +1500 |
| 9 | American Stage | 30/1 | +3000 |
| 10 | Bentornato | 5/2 | +250 |
| 11 | Mullikin | 15/1 | +1500 |
| 12 | Straight No Chaser | 8/1 | +800 |
| 13 | Mad House | 30/1 | +3000 |
| 14 | Whatchatalkinabout | 30/1 | +3000 |
The Breeders' Cup Sprint brings together leading dirt speed horses in a six-furlong championship where a fraction of a second can separate the winner from the rest of the field. Unlike longer dirt races, there is little opportunity to recover from a poor break or an unfavorable early position. However, the fastest horse leaving the gate is not always the strongest selection, particularly when several proven front-runners create intense pace pressure. The ability to settle, maintain speed around the turn and finish strongly can be decisive.
For bettors, the Sprint provides opportunities to evaluate runners coming through the Bing Crosby Stakes, Forego, Vosburgh, Phoenix Stakes and other leading sprint events. The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series includes major automatic qualifiers such as the Bing Crosby, Dubai Golden Shaheen and Santa Anita Sprint Championship, while separate Dirt Dozen races award entry-fee credits rather than guaranteed starting positions. Comparing previous six-furlong performances, pace figures, quality of opposition, recent workouts and available odds can help uncover value beyond a highly publicized favorite.
To bet on the Sprint, open Keeneland's Saturday race card in your online racebook and select Race 8. Choose a win, place or show bet to back an individual horse, or build an exacta, trifecta, superfecta or Super High 5 to predict multiple finishers. The Sprint also begins the Saturday Late Pick 5 and forms part of the All-Dirt Pick 4, giving bettors opportunities to combine selections from the weekend's leading dirt championships. Confirm the final field, scratches, wagering minimums and odds before submitting your ticket.
| 2026 Breeders' Cup Sprint Betting Options | |
|---|---|
| Win | Pick the horse that finishes first. |
| Place | Back a horse to finish first or second. |
| Show | Back a horse to finish in the top three. |
| Exacta | Pick the first two finishers in exact order. |
| Trifecta | Pick the first three finishers in exact order. |
| Superfecta | Pick the first four finishers in exact order. |
| Super High 5 | Pick the first five finishers in exact order, subject to official pool rules. |
| All-Dirt Pick 4 | Pick the winners of Saturday Races 6, 8, 10 and 12: Dirt Mile, Sprint, Distaff and Classic. |
| Late Pick 5 | Pick the winners of Races 8 through 12, starting with the Sprint and ending with the Classic. |
| Pick 3 / Daily Double | Combine the winners of Race 8 and eligible subsequent races in the available sequences. |
Six-furlong form: Prioritize runners with proven speed and finishing ability at six furlongs rather than relying entirely on shorter sprint performances.
Breaking speed: A clean break and quick acceleration can be essential. Review previous starts to identify reliable and inconsistent gate performers.
Early pace pressure: Multiple front-runners may produce demanding opening fractions, creating an opportunity for a horse capable of stalking and finishing strongly.
Grade 1 opposition: Compare the quality of previous competition in races such as the Bing Crosby, Dubai Golden Shaheen and other high-level dirt sprints.
Post position and trip: Evaluate the draw alongside each runner's preferred racing position and the possibility of traffic or a wide trip.
Track condition: Review performances on fast and wet dirt. Changes in the racing surface can affect both early speed and finishing ability.
Recent fitness: Examine workouts, racing intervals and performance trends leading into the championship.
Challenge Series form: Official qualifiers such as the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Dubai Golden Shaheen, Bing Crosby and Santa Anita Sprint Championship establish form lines across major international sprint circuits.
Dirt Dozen form: Entry-fee credits provide an additional incentive through selected dirt sprint races, but do not guarantee a championship starting berth.
Betting value: Compare the market with the likely pace scenario, six-furlong ability, recent form and each contender's expected trip.
| Race Time & TV Coverage | |
|---|---|
| Post Time | 3:42 PM ET |
| TV Network | NBC |
| Streaming | Peacock |
| Bet & Watch | BUSR (qualifying bet required) |
You can also stream the Breeders' Cup Sprint at BUSR after placing a qualifying bet. Check your account for streaming access and applicable conditions.
First contested in 1984, the Breeders' Cup Sprint has long been one of the sport's defining six-furlong dirt championships. The race has crowned outstanding speed specialists and versatile dirt runners capable of sustaining a demanding pace against elite competition. Its history includes close finishes, dramatic late rallies and memorable performances by established champions, making it an important year-end test of the North American sprint division. Major qualifying races in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series provide a pathway for domestic and international speed horses to compete for the championship.
Notable winners include Midnight Lute, who captured consecutive editions in 2007 and 2008, and Elite Power, who repeated the achievement in 2022 and 2023. Speightstown won the 2004 championship before becoming an influential stallion, while Straight No Chaser captured the 2024 Sprint with a powerful stretch performance. Bentornato returned from a runner-up finish in 2024 to win the 2025 edition, demonstrating how prior championship experience can help a horse progress to the highest level. These winners highlight the speed, class and consistency required to succeed in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Explore the historical results in our Breeders' Cup Sprint Results & Past Winners guide.
The 2026 Breeders' Cup Sprint takes place on Saturday, October 31, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Sprint is Race 8 on Saturday, October 31, with a scheduled post time of 3:42 PM ET.
Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, hosts the 2026 Breeders' Cup Sprint.
The Breeders' Cup Sprint is run over six furlongs, or three-quarters of a mile, on dirt.
The 2026 Breeders' Cup Sprint has a $2 million purse.
The Sprint is open to eligible Thoroughbreds aged three and older, including both male and female horses, with a maximum of 14 starters.
No. The Sprint is a dirt championship for horses aged three and older and does not award Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.
The 2026 Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Series includes the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Dubai Golden Shaheen, Bing Crosby Stakes, Korea Sprint, Santa Anita Sprint Championship, Vosburgh Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. Eligible nominated winners earn championship berths under the Challenge rules.
The Dirt Dozen provides entry-fee credits to eligible top-three finishers in designated dirt stakes. These credits are separate from automatic Win and You're In championship qualification and do not guarantee a starting position.
Notable champions include Midnight Lute, Speightstown, Elite Power, Straight No Chaser and Bentornato. Midnight Lute and Elite Power each won the Sprint twice.
Create and fund a BUSR account, open Keeneland's Saturday race card and select Race 8. Choose an available straight or exotic wager and submit it before post time.
The 2026 Sprint is scheduled for 3:42 PM ET on Saturday, October 31. Watch on NBC or stream on Peacock. BUSR streaming is available after a qualifying wager, subject to account conditions.
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