The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) was first run at Monmouth Park in 2007, the first year the World Championships expanded beyond the single-day format. Aside from the first year, when it was offered at 6 furlongs, it has been contested at 7 furlongs.
In all but three years since its inaugural running, the winner has gone on to earn the Eclipse Award as the country’s champion female sprinter. Ventura (2008), Wavell Avenue (2015), and Bar of Gold (2017) are the only winners of this race who did not win championship honors in the female sprint division. So far, Groupie Doll (2012, 2013) is the only repeat winner of the race.
There’re more than the Filly & Mare Sprint on Saturday, November 1st, nine races await you for the “Championship Saturday”, check the full race card below:
| Race | Race Name | Post Time ET |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sunrise (Allowance) | 1:05pm |
| 2 | The Ocean View (Allowance) | 1:40pm |
| 3 | Goldikova Stakes (G3) | 2:15pm |
| 4 | Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) | 3:00pm |
| 5 | Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) | 3:41pm |
| 6 | Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) | 4:21pm |
| 7 | Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) | 5:01pm |
| 8 | Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) | 5:41pm |
| 9 | Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) | 6:25pm |
| 10 | Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) | 7:05pm |
| 11 | Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile | 7:45pm |
| 12 | Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) | 8:25pm |
Trainer Chad Brown has won this race three times, and Buff Bradley -- he also co-owned Groupie Doll -- has two wins. Irad Ortiz, Jr. is the race’s top jockey with four winners.
The Bobby Frankel-trained Ventura owns the fastest time for the race at 7 furlongs when she posted a final time of 1:19.90 in 2008.
2007 – Maryfield's victory marked the race's debut, and she set a 6-furlong record, though it was the only time the race was contested at the distance. At 6 years old, she remains the oldest winner.
2008 – Juddmonte Farm’s Ventura, trained by the late Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, set the 7-furlong record (1:19.90), winning by four lengths, and despite the exceptional performance, was not awarded the Eclipse Award in her division, which went to Indian Blessing, who finished behind her in the Breeders’ Cup.
2012, 2013 -- Groupie Doll became the first repeat winner for trainer/co-owner/breeder Buff Bradley.
2014 – Judy the Beauty, a daughter of Ghostzapper, secured her signature victory at Santa Anita Park, rallying from midfield to edge out Better Lucky by a head. Owned and trained by Wesley Ward, she was purchased as a $20,000 yearling from Adena Springs.
2020 – Gamine, a $1.8 million auction purchase, set a track record of 1:20.20 for her 6 1/2-length win at Keeneland under John Velazquez. Gamine showcased her explosive speed by breaking sharply from the gate and holding off all challengers, including Serengeti Empress, to claim her third Grade 1 win of the season.
2022, 2023: Goodnight Olive joined Groupie Doll as a two-time winner, both under Irad Ortiz, Jr. and for trainer Chad Brown.
The race often favors horses with tactical speed, strong recent form in graded stakes, and proven sprint ability. Key handicapping elements include age profile, speed figures, and trainer and jockey records.
Three-year-olds have won three times (Shamrock Rose in 2018, Covfefe in 2019, Gamine in 2020), but their overall impact value suggests they underperform relative to their representation in the field. Older mares (4 to 6 years old) dominate, with examples like 5-year-old Soul of an Angel (2024), Goodnight Olive (2023), and Maryfield (2007).
Form and preps: Nine of 17 winners entered off a win, and five off a second-place finish. Preps at 6 ½ to 7 furlongs in the final two starts were crucial for the last seven winners.
Productive preps include the Ballerina Stakes (Goodnight Olive in 2022-2023, Ce Ce third in 2021), the Princess Rooney Stakes (Soul of an Angel in 2024), and the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes. Ideally, a winner has earned at least a Grade 2 win and a first or second in Grade 1 company. Horses coming from a route (mile or longer) in their most recent start have returned $7.38 for every $2 win bet historically.
Ortiz Jr. has four wins from 10 mounts (level stakes profit +82.95), including Bar of Gold (2017), Shamrock Rose (2018), and Goodnight Olive (2022-2023). Joel Rosario and Mike Smith each have two wins.
Horses without a start at the host track have produced nine winners. Avoid runners from Grade 2 last out (0-33 record). Sires like Ghostzapper (three winners) and Into Mischief (two winners) perform better than other stallions. Late speed is key: Horses with a top-3 late speed figure last out have won 9 of 13 editions.
The race has produced a mix of favorites and upsets, with recent trends favoring chalk but historical data showing value in longshots.
Betting favorites have won seven of 17 races overall (41%) and four of the last 6 (80%, 2019-2024).
The second choice won twice and finished third once. Favorite winners include Goodnight Olive (11-10 in 2023, 37-20 in 2022) and Gamine (6-5 in 2020).
Upsets include Bar of Gold (66-1 in 2017, $135) Shamrock Rose (20-1 in 2018, $53.80) and Soul of an Angel (19-1 in 2024, $41.60).
The average $2 win bet is $19.20, the exacta $156.44, the trifecta $1,783.52 and the superfecta $13,957.48.
The sprint typically rewards tactical speed rather than pure front-runners or deep closers, with a moderate to soft early pace profile for winners.
Front-runners have a poor record (0-for-51). Only one wire-to-wire winner: Finest City (2016). The last five winners were one to three lengths off the pacesetter at the first call, emphasizing stalkers. Moderate/soft pace favors horses with strong late speed ratios.
Early pace is rarely blazing; for example, in 2015, pacesetters held for second and third. At Del Mar (speed-favoring historically), speed can carry, but hot duels such as Society and Eda in 2023 set up closers like Goodnight Olive.
Stalkers excel -- Vahva's perfect stalking trip in 2024 preps, deep closers like Zeitlos or Soul of an Angel (closed from last in 2024 win) – and can hit the board if pace melts down. Speed horses must rate to avoid duels. California tracks often favor speed, but the 7-furlong distance demands stamina beyond pure sprint pace.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
