Breeders’ Cup Sprint Quick Picks

Saturday’s $2 million six-furlong Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) attracted a well-matched field of nine older horses.

Carded as race eight of twelve, the post time for the Sprint is 2:38 PM PT.

Let’s take a quick look at the horses most likely to hit the board.

#2 Jackie’s Warrior (6-5)

Jackie’s Warrior is the undisputed leader of the Sprint division. He has won eight of eleven lifetime and finished out of the money only once, which was around two turns in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The three-year-old faces older horses for the first time, but he is one of the fastest in the field. The Steve Asmussen trainee does his best work on the lead, although he can press the pace if necessary. Win contender.

#9 Dr. Schivel (4-1)

Dr. Schivel has won five of seven-lifetime starts, including four wins at six furlongs. In addition, the 3-year-old has won three in a row against older horses, including a neck decision in the Bing Crosby (G1) here in July. The Mark Glatt trainee has the speed to run with Jackie’s Warrior but can also sit off the pace. Win contender.

#3 C Z Rocket (12-1)

C Z Rocket closed to finish second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Since then, he has won twice at lower levels and reliably filled out the exotics in graded stakes. He closed to finish just a neck behind Dr. Schivel and Eight Rings in the Bing Crosby and has finished in the money in all three starts at Del Mar. If the top pair wear themselves out, C Z Rocket could pull the upset. Longshot win contender.

#8 Special Reserve (6-1)

Special Reserve has been in the money in eleven of thirteen tries at six furlongs. This former claimer has risen through the ranks to be a multiple-graded winner, and he is a half-length shy of winning a Grade 1. The Mike Maker trainee has enough speed to press the pace, but he is a cut below the top pair. Exotics.

#6 Firenze Fire (10-1)

Firenze Fire was beaten a neck for second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Since then, he has finished out of the money only once in seven tries, including two recent second-place finishes. Firenze Fire lost a head decision to Yapon in the Forego (G1), as the two battled throughout the race. However, Firenze Fire was determined not to lose and repeatedly bit his foe. He’s had a long campaign, but he is capable of hitting the board if he can keep his teeth to himself. Exotics.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint Analysis

Sixty percent of favorites have won or finished in the money in the last decade. Not surprisingly, speed rules, with seven of ten winners having a pacesetting or pressing style.
The race sets up as an east-west showdown between Jackie’s Warrior and Dr. Schivel. The latter gets the nod as outside speed, a winner over the track and against older horses.

• #9 Dr. Schivel (4-1)
• #2 Jackie’s Warrior (6-5)
• #3 C Z Rocket (12-1)
• #6 Firenze Fire (10-1)