Breeders' Cup Sprint 2020: Odds & Preview

The perspective field for the Sprint has evolved more than any other Breeders' Cup race over the past few months.

Steve Asmussen's Volatile leapt to the front of the class with an impressive win in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) only to be retired with an injury a few weeks ago.

Asmussen did not have time to feel sorry for himself as his undefeated Yaupon emerged as a leading contender following impressive wins in the Amsterdam (G2) and Chick Lang (G3).

Win Win Win also figured to take major action in the Sprint after his fast closing Forego (G1) win over Complexity, but he joined Volatile in retirement last week.

Related: See the latest preview & odds for Breeders' Cup races:

Classic, Distaff, Dirt Mile, Turf, Sprint, Juvenile, FM Sprint, FM Turf

C Z Rocket and Firenze Fire, both of whom appeared past their primes earlier this season, have regained their best form and both runners now appear as good as ever. 

C Z Rocket was dropped all the way down to $40,000 this spring when he was claimed on behalf of Peter Miller. He has since won four races in a row, including the Pat O'Brien (G2) at Del Mar to earn an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) that awards a bid to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Firenze Fire only had one win in four starts, including an 11th-place finish in the Forego, since leaving the Jason Servis barn for trainer Kelly Breen. He snapped back to form last week with a win in the Vosburgh (G2) at Belmont Park.

Among the biggest questions for the Sprint are the statuses of Vekoma, Diamond Oops and Frank's Rockette.

Vekoma, the Met Mile (G1) and Carter (G1) winner, would be favorite in this spot, but is also under consideration for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. On Thursday, trainer George Weaver said he was leaning towards the Sprint with Vekoma.

Diamond Oops, the versatile winner of the Phoenix Stakes (G2), could wind up in either the Sprint or Turf Sprint. It's possible the connections wait to see where Vekoma winds up before making their decision.

The talented filly Frank's Rockette is likely stay within her own division in the Filly & Mare Sprint, but she is better at the Sprint distance of six furlongs and the presence of Gamine could make the Filly and Mare Sprint just as tough a race

Additional Breeders' Cup Sprint updates

• Shancelot, who is listed among the favorites in many books, has not worked since July 26 and will not be running in the Sprint for new trainer Asmussen.

• John Sadler confirmed to HRN on Wednesday that Flagstaff will be headed to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

• Chad Brown stated that Complexity would be pointed towards the Dirt Mile following his Kelso (G2) victory.

• The Daily Racing Form reported Wednesday that Whitmore would likely enter the Sprint for the fourth year in a row.

• Jack Sisterson did not list Lexitonian among his other Breeders' Cup starters, Vexatious and True Timber.

• Landeskog, who disappointed at Pimlico last week, was not listed among Brad Cox's Breeders' Cup probables.

Who's already going: C Z Rocket, Flagstaff, Yaupon, Firenze Fire, Whitmore

Who could be going: Vekoma, Diamond Oops, Frank's Rockette, Funny Guy, Collusion Illusion, Echo Town, Wildman Jack, Empire of Gold

Below are the best available bookmaker odds as the field for this year's Sprint takes shape:

Sources: Oddschecker, Bovada