Shisospicy leads whole way to win Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Shisospicy broke perfectly from post 10 in the field of 12 and raced to a gate-to-wire triumph Saturday in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint going five furlongs at Del Mar.

The first 3-year-old filly to win in the 18 runnings of this race, Shisospicy ran her record to 5-for-5 on U.S. turf. She also became the first horse to have prepped at Kentucky Downs to win a Breeders’ Cup race. The track had been 0-for-129 beforehand.

Irad Ortiz Jr., now a 22-time Breeders’ Cup winner, rode Shisopicy through early fractions of 21.75 and 43.86 en route to a winning time of 55.24 seconds. Her winning margin of 2 1/2 lengths was a stakes record.

Ag Bullet finished second, Khaadem third, Reef Runner fourth and Motorious fifth.

Europe-based 4-year-old filly She’s Quality was eased on the backstretch by jockey Colin Keane.

“He eased her up on the backside probably just out of an abundance of caution,” on-call veterinarian Dr. Scott Hay told NBC Sports right after the race. “She’s showing some right-hind lameness currently. There’s nothing obvious on the limb.” According to a news release from the Breeders' Cup she was examined at the Southern California Equine Foundation hospital and then returned to her barn, where she will continue to be monitored.

It was the first Breeders’ Cup win for trainer José D’Angelo.

Sired by Mitole and owned by Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing, Shisospicy won the Music City (G2) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6. Before that she finished 15th of 21 in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot.

Arizona Blaze, who had 5-1 odds in the program, was scratched by veterinarians Friday.

“I don’t see that there was much wrong with him at all,” trainer Adrian Murray told the Great Britain newspaper The Sun. “He's had vets prodding and poking him since he got here. He was trotted up, and they weren’t happy. What can you do?”