Breeders' Cup Sprint

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 12:00 AM

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Eillo goes gate-to-wire to take the first Breeders' Cup Sprint under Jockey Craig Perret. He later was named Champion Sprinter for 1984.

Photo: Blood-Horse Library

Precisionist hadn't run at 6 furlongs since January 1984, but he easily defeated a field of top sprinters and was named 1985 Champion Sprinter.

Photo: Tony Leonard

Smile ran second to Precisionist in 1985, but in 1986 he took the crown and the Eclipse award for top sprinter.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Very Subtle dominated the 1987 sprint over heavily favored Groovy to become the first filly and the first three-year old to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Gulch finished 5th in the 1986 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 9th in the 1987 Breeders' Cup, before winning the 1988 Breeders' Cup Sprint with a powerful stretch run.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Dancing Spree came from off the pace to overtake pacesetter Safely Kept at the wire. With this race, he went over $1 million in earnings.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

1989 Sprint Champion Safely Kept and Dayjur battled to the wire, with Safely Kept taking the race after Dayjur twice jumped shadows on the track.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Sheikh Albadou powers home after Champion Housebuster injured himself early in the race. Sheikh Albadou was the first European-based horse to take the Sprint.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Thirty Slews nipped the filly Meafara at the wire to take the Sprint, and bring national attention to his trainer Bob Baffert.

Photo: Barbara D. Livingston

Cardmania closed with a rush to take the 1993 over Meafara, who was 2nd again, as Eddie Delahoussaye won the Sprint for the 2nd straight year. 1992 Sprint winner Thirty Slews finished 4th.

Photo: Shigeki Kikkawa

Favorite Cherokee Run overtook Soviet Problem late to secure the 1993 Sprint.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

In 1995, Desert Stormer went right to the lead and was able to hold off Mr. Greeley for the win.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Lit de Justice trailed early, but rolled home for an easy win, as Trainer Jenine Sahadi and Jockey Corey Nakatani picked up their first Breeders' Cup Wins.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Elmhurst made it two in a row for Trainer Jenine Sahadi and Jockey Corey Nakatani in the Sprint.

Photo: Barbara D. Livingston

Reraise was a supplementary entry into the 1998 Sprint. But, once the gates were opened there was no doubt, as he went gate-to-wire.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Artax equaled Mr. Prospector's track record in the 1999 Sprint.

Photo: Barbara D. Livingston

Kona Gold proved the importance of persistence in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Third in 1998, 2nd in 1999, he finally tasted victory in 2000 (he would also finish 7th in 2001 Sprint and 4th in 2002.).

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Squirtle Squirt's 2001 victory over Xtra Heat gave Bobby Frankel his first Breeders' Cup win.

Photo: Barbara D. Livingston

Jerry Bailey won his 13th Breeders' Cup race and D. Wayne Lukas his 17th, as favorite Orientate ran down Thunderello.

Photo: Barbara D. Livingston

Cajun Beat pressed the pace early and then took off in the stretch to upset the 2003 Sprint.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Speightstown saved ground early and pounced late, as he was named Champion Sprinter for 2004.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Silver Train hit the lead late and held off Taste of Paradise for Sprint victory in 2005.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Thor's Echo took control after a half-mile, as favorite Henny Hughes ended up last.