Keys to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
History repeats itself. Often, this is true of the Breeders' Cup events.
This month, we'll take a close look at the winners of the last 10 Breeders' Cup juvenile races. We'll consider the respective winners' final preps, how the Euros stacked up, race running styles, favorites and more.
Here's how to handicap the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint: Pick the pacesetter conditioned by Wesley Ward and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., toss in a couple of long shots, and there's your trifecta.
Since its inception in 2018, the Juvenile Turf Sprint has been won by either the favorite or second favorite.
Ward and Ortiz teamed to capture three of the four editions. Additionally, all four winners went gate-to-wire.
Keeneland 2020 recap
Breeders' Cup 2020 was held at Keeneland over a good course. Fourteen contenders went to the post, with Golden Pal as the betting favorite.
The pacesetter won, second place was taken by a runner from mid-pack (three or more lengths off the lead), and a closer took third.
Golden Pal broke like a shot from post 13 and stayed there the entire way
Cowan broke from post 5, settled in eighth place early and went seven wide with a late kick to grab second place.
Ubettabelieveit broke slowly from post 6, settled in 11th and passed tired horses for third place.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at a glance
Division debut: 2018
2022 Breeders' Cup Challenge winners:
Norfolk Stakes (England, G1) — The Ridler (GB)
Prix Morny (France, G1) — Blackbeard (IRE)
Speakeasy Stakes (listed) — Speed Boat Beach
Indian Summer Stakes (listed) — TBD
Breeders' Cup Challenge event previous results
Norfolk Stakes: Two Norfolk winners competed in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. Neither hit the board.
Prix Morny: In four years, only the Ward-trained Campanelle (2020) competed in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. She finished fourth.
Speakeasy Stakes: One Speakeasy winner, Old Timer (2021), made it to the Breeders' Cup; he placed ninth.
Indian Summer Stakes: All four Indian Summer winners raced in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. The best finish was by the Ward-trained Kimari, who placed fourth.
Prep races
All four Juvenile Turf Sprint winners entered off a previous victory.
2021 Prix de la Vallee d'Auge (France): Twilight Gleaming
2020 Skidmore Stakes: Golden Pal
2019 Belmont Futurity Stakes (G3): Four Wheel Drive
2018 Hollywood Beach Stakes: Bulletin
Until last year, the Futurity (G3) at Belmont was considered a challenge event. Four Wheel Drive (2019) closed out a perfect three-race season with a victory in the Juvenile Turf Sprint after winning the futurity. However, previous year's contenders chose the Juvenile Turf or didn't compete in the Breeders' Cup.
Payouts
Average win payout: $7.90
Lowest: $3.60 Golden Pal (2020)
Highest: $12.40 Twilight Gleaming (2021)
Favorites
Win: 50 percent
Place/show: 0 percent
Last to win: Golden Pal (2020)
Second favorites
Win: 50 percent
Place/show: 0 percent
Last to win: Twilight Gleaming (2021)
Post position
Post 5: 1 winner (CD)
Post 6: 1 winner (DM)
Post 9: 1 winner (SA)
Post 13: 1 winner (KEE)
Rail: One finished second; the others placed seventh, 10th, and 11th.
Winning style
4 pacesetters – wired the field.
Europeans
European races are timed differently from those in the U.S. and Canada. They are timed from the gate in Europe, and track configurations vary widely.
In the last four years, Europeans had a 15: 0-1-2 record in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Trainers
Wesley Ward is known for conditioning precocious sprinters, and he is in his element with the Turf Sprint, with an overall 11: 3-2-1 record.
Jockeys
Irad Ortiz Jr. has paired with Wesley Ward for three victories. In addition, Todd Pletcher and Javier Castellano teamed up to win the inaugural Juvenile Turf Sprint.
This year’s contender profiles will be available after the advanced past performances are released.