2021 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

about this race

Race Info
History

Golden Pal did precisely what trainer Wesley Ward predicted he would do in the $920,000 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, exploding out of the gate to clear the field in a matter of strides and denying the rest of the field any hope before they even hit the bend.

The 3-year-old Uncle Mo colt never slowed down in the stretch, cruising to a 1 ¼-length win in 55.22 seconds and becoming a two-time Breeders' Cup winner. He won the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland last year for the Coolmore group of Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg.

"He's got the title – he's the best horse (I've ever trained)," said the trainer afterward, who picked up his sixth Breeders' Cup win. "I hope everyone in horse racing has a horse like this, as special as he is."

"He's always had a high opinion of the horse," said Coolmore's M.V. Magnier, gesturing to Ward. "We got together and got the deal done.”

The 5-2 favorite blitzed the field through a quarter-mile in 22.25 seconds and a half-mile in 43.91 seconds under Irad Ortiz Jr. and was not challenged in the stretch by runner-up Lieutenant Dan. Charmaine's Mia finished third.

Ortiz also rode Golden Pal in last year's Juvenile Turf Sprint victory.

"He was ready today," Ortiz said. "I was happy to get the lead easily and he responded to me when I asked him for the run down the stretch. I was confident coming for home and he still felt very strong."

Ward suggested a return to Royal Ascot would be targeted for Golden Pal's 4-year-old season. He was second by a neck in the Norfolk Stakes as a 2-year-old.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 54:83
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 1 3/4 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
11/01/2024	Starlust (GB) Trainer / Ralph Beckett Jockey / Rossa Ryan Owner / Mrs. Fitriani Hay	Ralph Beckett	Rossa Ryan	Mrs. Fitriani Hay
11/03/2023	Nobals Trainer / Larry Rivelli Jockey / Gerardo Corrales Owner / Patricia's Hope LLC	Larry Rivelli	Gerardo Corrales	Patricia's Hope LLC
11/04/2022	Caravel Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Tyler Gaffalione Owner / Qatar Racing, Detampel, Marc and Madaket Stables LLC	Brad H. Cox	Tyler Gaffalione	Qatar Racing, Detampel, Marc and Madaket Stables LLC
11/05/2021	Golden Pal Trainer / Wesley A. Ward Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor, and Smith.	Wesley A. Ward	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor, and Smith.
11/06/2020	Glass Slippers (GB) Trainer / Kevin A. Ryan Jockey / Tom Eaves Owner / Bearstone Stud Limited	Kevin A. Ryan	Tom Eaves	Bearstone Stud Limited
11/01/2019	Belvoir Bay (GB) Trainer / Peter Miller Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Gary Barber	Peter Miller	Javier Castellano	Gary Barber
11/02/2018	Stormy Liberal Trainer / Peter Miller Jockey / Drayden Van Dyke Owner / Rockingham Ranch and David A Bernsen LLC	Peter Miller	Drayden Van Dyke	Rockingham Ranch and David A Bernsen LLC
11/03/2017	Stormy Liberal Trainer / Peter Miller Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Rockingham Ranch	Peter Miller	Joel Rosario	Rockingham Ranch
11/04/2016	Obviously (IRE) Trainer / Philip D'Amato Jockey / Flavien Prat Owner / Fanticola, Anthony and Scardino, Joseph	Philip D'Amato	Flavien Prat	Fanticola, Anthony and Scardino, Joseph
10/30/2015	Mongolian Saturday Trainer / Enebish Ganbat Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Mongolian Stable	Enebish Ganbat	Florent Geroux	Mongolian Stable
10/31/2014	Bobby's Kitten Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Chad C. Brown	Joel Rosario	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
11/01/2013	Mizdirection Trainer / Mike Puype Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Jungle Racing LLC, Strauss, Nish, Grohs, MSK Racing Ventures LLC and Beljak, Borris	Mike Puype	Mike E. Smith	Jungle Racing LLC, Strauss, Nish, Grohs, MSK Racing Ventures LLC and Beljak, Borris
11/02/2012	Mizdirection Trainer / Mike Puype Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Jungle Racing LLC, Strauss, W., Grohs, J., Beljak, B., KMN Racing LLC et al.	Mike Puype	Mike E. Smith	Jungle Racing LLC, Strauss, W., Grohs, J., Beljak, B., KMN Racing LLC et al.
11/04/2011	Regally Ready Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Vinery Stables	Steven M. Asmussen	Corey S. Nakatani	Vinery Stables
11/05/2010	Chamberlain Bridge Trainer / W. Bret Calhoun Jockey / Jamie Theriot Owner / Carl R. Moore Management LLC	W. Bret Calhoun	Jamie Theriot	Carl R. Moore Management LLC
11/06/2009	California Flag Trainer / Brian J. Koriner Jockey / Joseph Talamo Owner / Hi Card Ranch	Brian J. Koriner	Joseph Talamo	Hi Card Ranch
10/24/2008	Desert Code Trainer / David E. Hofmans Jockey / Richard Migliore Owner / Tarabilla Farms, Inc.	David E. Hofmans	Richard Migliore	Tarabilla Farms, Inc.