The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint was run for the first time in 2008 at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita’s signature downhill turf course. Now a grade 1, it was contested as an ungraded event until 2010 when it earned a grade 2. It was elevated to its current grade in 2012.
Because not all North American tracks are capable of running a 6 ½-furlong sprint over their turf course, this race has been held at varying distances over the past 12 years. At Churchill Downs (2010, 2011, 2018) the distance was five furlongs. At Keeneland in 2015, 2020 and last year the distance was about five furlongs and at Del Mar in 2017 and 2021 the race was contested at five furlongs. In 2019, though held at Santa Anita, the race was conducted at five furlongs again since the downhill turf course had been closed earlier in the year and will be contested at five furlongs again this year.
Some of the notable winners of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint include:
- Stormy Liberal (2017, 2018)
- Mizdirection (2012, 2013)
- Belvoir Bay (2019)
- Golden Pal (2021)
- Caravel (2022)
Chasing Championship Glory: Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint’s Influence
The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint has had a significant impact on the sprinter division. Prior to the creation of this race, there was no major championship race for turf sprinters. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint gave turf sprinters a chance to compete for a major championship, and it has helped to raise the profile of this division.
This division competes with the traditional sprinter division for Eclipse Awards, so no winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint has earned the title as champion sprinter. However, in 2018 after his second victory in the race, Stormy Liberal was voted champion turf horse. He isn’t the only runner to have won two editions as the mare Mizdirection took home the victory in both 2012 and 2013.
California-based conditioner Peter Miller is the race’s leading trainer with three winners. In addition to Stormy Liberal, he also conditioned the filly Belvoir Bay in 2019. The British-bred filly survived the 2017 Lilac Fire in San Diego county before becoming a Breeders’ Cup winner.
Mike Smith (2012, 2013) and Joel Rosario (2014, 2017) have each ridden a pair of winners to lead all jockeys.