2016 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
The Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint was added to the star-studded line up in 2007 as part of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. With a purse of $1,000,000 on the line, the race was recognized with Grade 1 status in 2009. The race was run for the first time at six furlongs and in every year since has been contested at seven furlongs. Prior to the inception of a Breeders' Cup Sprint event designated solely for fillies and mares, some of the premier female sprinters in the country had been forced to take on males in the Sprint.
Since the race was created in 2007, it has attracted some of the top fillies and mares in the country and developed a rich history that has yielded many Eclipse champions. Maryfield made history in the inaugural running by becoming only the fourth Canadian-bred horse to win a Breeders' Cup race. That year, she took home the honors as Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter and went on to get inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2009, Informed Decision added another Grade 1 to her resume in the first year the event had top status.
The most prolific winner of the race so far has been Groupie Doll, William "Buff" Bradley's brilliant mare. She established herself as the fastest filly in the country with an authoritative win in the 2012 edition of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, capping off an exceptional season en route to earning the Eclipse Award as Champion Female Sprinter. The popular mare pulled off a remarkable repeat in 2013 in which chose prevailed by half a length over a fast closing rival after a wide trip. That victory solidified her status as one of the best female sprinters in history and she took home her second consecutive Eclipse.
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Betting Odds
While it will be a bit of a surprise if she makes the trip, South African-bred Inara has made the field by winning the 'Win and You're In' Maine Chance Paddock Farms Stakes in Cape Town way back in January. If she runs, she's certain to be at long odds at one of our recommended online racebooks like Bovada, our first choice for betting Breeders' Cup winners.
* REMINDER! - you must be of legal age in your state or province to legally wager on thoroughbred or harness horse racing. Please bet responsibly!
2016 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Contenders
A well-travelled Ontario-bred, Wavell Avenue had done most of her running in the lower ranks prior to the BC Filly & Mare Sprint, and came into the race off her lone graded-stakes start where she ran third in the (G2) Gallant Bloom Stakes at Belmont Park. She came from way back early to win the race at odds of 10-1.
Probable Starters w/DRF Odds
By The Moon - Starts: 12 Wins: 4 Last Race: Finished 2nd by 1/2 length in the (G1) Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga.
Carina Mia - Starts: 9 Wins: 4 Last Race: Finished 2nd by 5 3/4 lengths in the (G1) Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing.
Curalina - Starts: 12 Wins: 6 Last Race: Finished 2nd by 1/2 length in the (G1) Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga.
Haveyougoneaway - Starts: 26 Wins: 11 Last Race: Won the (G1) Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga by 1/2 length.
Irish Jasper - Starts: 15 Wins: 8 Last Start: Won the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland Race Course by 1 3/4 lengths.
Paulassilverlining - Starts: 16 Wins: 7 Last Start: Won the (G2) Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park by 3/4 length.
Paid Up Subscriber - Starts: 11 Wins: 4 Last Start: Finished 2nd by 7 lengths in the (G1) Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland Race Course.
Stonetastic - Starts: 20 Wins: 7 Last Start: Finished 2nd by 1 3/4 lengths in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland Race Course.
Tara's Tango - Starts: 13 Wins: 5 Last Start: Finished 4th by 12 1/2 lengths in the (G1) Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita.
Wavell Avenue - Starts: 19 Wins: 7 Last Start: Finished 3rd by 2 1/4 lengths in the (G2) Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park.
The BC Filly & Mare Sprint goes Saturday, Nov. 5th from Santa Anita Park. Post time is 1:21 PM Pacific.
