Straight No Chaser strikes for California in BC Sprint

Straight No Chaser ($14.20) rallied from just off the pace to take command in deep stretch and post a half-length victory over Bentornato to win the 41st running of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint for 3-year-olds and up at Del Mar Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Dan Blacker for owner MyRacehorse and ridden by John Velazquez, Straight No Chaser covered the six furlongs on the fast main track in 1:08.62. It is the first Breeders’ Cup victory for Blacker and the 21st for Velazquez and second in the Sprint. His first Sprint victory came 20 years ago at Lone Star Park with Speightstown.

“He’s just a really talented horse,” Blacker said of Straight No Chaser. “I’m just really thankful to MyRacehorse for having me. They’ve been such great patient owners. It means a lot to me, obviously, but it’s the horse. Ultimately, he’s just a really talented horse. All the other horses see in the race are great, super talented horse, too, I’m just lucky to have the best one today.”

Federal Judge set the pace with fractions of 21.74 and 44.12 seconds with Bentornato in closest pursuit and Straight No Chaser stalking in third. In the upper stretch, Bentornato took over, but was immediately challenged by Straight No Chaser who gradually pulled away.

Favored Mullikin finished another 2 1/2 lengths back in third with stablemate Federal Judge fourth.

Straight No Chaser is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Speightster out of the Johannesburg mare Margarita Friday. The victory, the first Grade 1 for Straight No Chaser, was worth $1,040,000 and improved his earnings to $1,416,300 with a record of 10: 6-0-1.

“He ran great,” Velazquez said. “The pace was really fast up front and I was hoping that they would back up to me as we turned for home. I asked him for run and he responded and found another gear late. I was very proud of him.”