2023 Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint

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Race Info
History

Elite Power became a repeat winner of the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint by closing to win by 1 1/2 lengths over archrival Gunite on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

Elite Power became a repeat winner of the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint by closing to win by 1 1/2 lengths over archrival Gunite on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. A year earlier, he had won the Sprint at Keeneland, a performance that resulted in him earning an Eclipse Award as champion male sprinter. Another title is likely on the way this year.

The Bill Mott-trained Elite Power became the third repeat Breeders' Cup winner on the Saturday program, following the success of his stablemate Cody's Wish in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Goodnight Olive in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. In the 40 years of the Breeders' Cup, just two others have repeated in the Sprint as Elite Power did -- Roy H in 2017-18 and Midnight Lute in 2007-08.

A heady ride by Irad Ortiz Jr., who won three Breeders' Cup races on Saturday, put his mount in position to have success. Seeing few horses win from far back on the main track except for Cody's Wish, Ortiz said he consulted Mott and elected to give Elite Power a spirited warm-up in a move designed to have Elite Power closer than usual to the leaders. He was. Though seventh of eight after an opening quarter mile in :21.99 as Speed Boat Beach went to the lead, Elite Power was just 3 1/4 lengths off the pace. He then advanced into third in the turn, 1 1/2 lengths behind Speed Boat Beach's half-mile in :44.35.

Speed Boat Beach's lead dwindled with a pace pressing Gunite dialing up the heat, but none could contain Elite Power, who rallied wide to power ahead in the final furlong. Favored Elite Power paid $5.40 to win.

"I was in the passenger seat until the quarter pole, then I just asked him and he responded," Ortiz said.

Gunite held on for second, a half-length ahead of Nakatomi in third. Speed Boat Beach faded to fourth as the second betting favorite.

Elite Power resumed his winning ways in the Sprint after a second-place finish to Gunite in the Aug. 26 Grade 1 Forego Stakes, a loss that ended an eight-race win streak.

Elite Power improved his career earnings to $3,775,711. He is 9-1-1 in 13 starts.

The Sprint, the final Breeders' Cup race on the Saturday card, gave Mott his third win during the two-day Breeders' Cup. Earlier, he won the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies with Just F Y I, and the Dirt Mile with Godolphin's Cody's Wish.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:07:08
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 4 3/4 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
11/03/2023	Elite Power Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / Juddmonte	William I. Mott	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Juddmonte
11/04/2022	Elite Power Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / Juddmonte	William I. Mott	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Juddmonte
11/05/2021	Aloha West Trainer / Wayne M. Catalano Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners	Wayne M. Catalano	Jose L. Ortiz	Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
11/06/2020	Whitmore Trainer / Ron Moquett Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / LaPenta, Robert V., Moquett, R. and Head of Plains Partners	Ron Moquett	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	LaPenta, Robert V., Moquett, R. and Head of Plains Partners
11/01/2019	Mitole Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Ricardo Santana, Jr. Owner / Heiligbrodt, L. William and Corinne	Steven M. Asmussen	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	Heiligbrodt, L. William and Corinne
11/02/2018	Roy H Trainer / Peter Miller Jockey / Paco Lopez Owner / Rockingham Ranch and David A Bernsen LLC	Peter Miller	Paco Lopez	Rockingham Ranch and David A Bernsen LLC
11/03/2017	Roy H Trainer / Peter Miller Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Rockingham Ranch and Bernsen, David A.	Peter Miller	Kent J. Desormeaux	Rockingham Ranch and Bernsen, David A.
11/04/2016	Drefong Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Martin Garcia Owner / Baoma Corporation	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	Baoma Corporation
10/30/2015	Runhappy Trainer / Maria Borell Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / James McIngvale	Maria Borell	Edgar S. Prado	James McIngvale
10/31/2014	Work All Week Trainer / Roger A. Brueggemann Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.	Roger A. Brueggemann	Florent Geroux	Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.
11/01/2013	Secret Circle Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Martin Garcia Owner / Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul
11/02/2012	Trinniberg Trainer / Shivananda Parbhoo Jockey / Willie Martinez Owner / Sherry Parbhoo	Shivananda Parbhoo	Willie Martinez	Sherry Parbhoo
11/04/2011	Amazombie Trainer / William Spawr Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Sanford, Thomas C. and Spawr William	William Spawr	Mike E. Smith	Sanford, Thomas C. and Spawr William
11/05/2010	Big Drama Trainer / David Fawkes Jockey / Eibar Coa Owner / Harold L. Queen	David Fawkes	Eibar Coa	Harold L. Queen
11/06/2009	Dancing in Silks Trainer / Carla Gaines Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Ken Kinakin	Carla Gaines	Joel Rosario	Ken Kinakin
10/24/2008	Midnight Lute Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Garrett K. Gomez Owner / Watson and Weitman Performances, LLC and Pegram, Michael E.	Bob Baffert	Garrett K. Gomez	Watson and Weitman Performances, LLC and Pegram, Michael E.
10/26/2007	Midnight Lute Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Garrett K. Gomez Owner / Watson and Weitman Performances, LLC and Pegram, Michael E.	Bob Baffert	Garrett K. Gomez	Watson and Weitman Performances, LLC and Pegram, Michael E.
11/03/2006	Thor's Echo Trainer / Doug F. O'Neill Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Royce S. Jaime Racing Stable, Inc. and Suarez Racing, Inc.	Doug F. O'Neill	Corey S. Nakatani	Royce S. Jaime Racing Stable, Inc. and Suarez Racing, Inc.
10/28/2005	Silver Train Trainer / Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / Buckram Oak Farm	Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.	Edgar S. Prado	Buckram Oak Farm
10/29/2004	Speightstown Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Melnyk, Eugene and Laura	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Melnyk, Eugene and Laura
10/24/2003	Cajun Beat Trainer / Steve Margolis Jockey / Cornelio H. Velasquez Owner / Padua Stables and Iracane, John and Joseph	Steve Margolis	Cornelio H. Velasquez	Padua Stables and Iracane, John and Joseph
10/25/2002	Orientate Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Lewis, Robert B. and Beverly J.	D. Wayne Lukas	Jerry D. Bailey	Lewis, Robert B. and Beverly J.
10/26/2001	Squirtle Squirt Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / David Joseph Lanzman	Robert J. Frankel	Jerry D. Bailey	David Joseph Lanzman
11/03/2000	Kona Gold Trainer / Bruce Headley Jockey / Alex O. Solis Owner / Headley, Bruce, Molasky, Irwin and Andrew and High Tech Stable	Bruce Headley	Alex O. Solis	Headley, Bruce, Molasky, Irwin and Andrew and High Tech Stable
11/05/1999	Artax Trainer / Louis Albertrani Jockey / Jorge F. Chavez Owner / Paraneck Stable	Louis Albertrani	Jorge F. Chavez	Paraneck Stable
11/06/1998	Reraise Trainer / Craig Dollase Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Fey, B., Han, M., Opas, L., Sinatra, F. and Class Racing Stable	Craig Dollase	Corey S. Nakatani	Fey, B., Han, M., Opas, L., Sinatra, F. and Class Racing Stable
11/07/1997	Elmhurst Trainer / Jenine Sahadi Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Evergreen Farm and Sahadi	Jenine Sahadi	Corey S. Nakatani	Evergreen Farm and Sahadi
10/25/1996	Lit de Justice Trainer / Jenine Sahadi Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Evergreen Farms	Jenine Sahadi	Corey S. Nakatani	Evergreen Farms
10/27/1995	Desert Stormer Trainer / Frank G. Lyons Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Joanne H. Norr	Frank G. Lyons	Kent J. Desormeaux	Joanne H. Norr
11/04/1994	Cherokee Run Trainer / Frank A. Alexander Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Jill E. Robinson	Frank A. Alexander	Mike E. Smith	Jill E. Robinson
11/05/1993	Cardmania Trainer / Derek Meredith Jockey / Eddie J. Delahoussaye Owner / Jean Couvercelle	Derek Meredith	Eddie J. Delahoussaye	Jean Couvercelle
10/30/1992	Thirty Slews Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Eddie J. Delahoussaye Owner / Degroot, Dutch Masters III and Pegram	Bob Baffert	Eddie J. Delahoussaye	Degroot, Dutch Masters III and Pegram
11/01/1991	Sheikh Albadou (GB) Trainer / Alexander A. Scott Jockey / Pat Eddery Owner / Hilal Salem	Alexander A. Scott	Pat Eddery	Hilal Salem
10/26/1990	Safely Kept Trainer / Alan E. Goldberg Jockey / Craig Perret Owner / Jayeff B Stables	Alan E. Goldberg	Craig Perret	Jayeff B Stables
11/03/1989	Dancing Spree Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Ogden Phipps	Claude R. McGaughey III	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Ogden Phipps
11/04/1988	Gulch Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Peter M. Brant	D. Wayne Lukas	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Peter M. Brant
11/20/1987	Very Subtle Trainer / Melvin F. Stute Jockey / Patrick A. Valenzuela Owner / Ben Rochelle	Melvin F. Stute	Patrick A. Valenzuela	Ben Rochelle
10/31/1986	Smile Trainer / Flint S. Schulhofer Jockey / Jacinto Vasquez Owner / Frances A. Genter Stable, Inc.	Flint S. Schulhofer	Jacinto Vasquez	Frances A. Genter Stable, Inc.
11/01/1985	Precisionist Trainer / Leland Ross Fenstermaker Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Fred W. Hooper	Leland Ross Fenstermaker	Chris J. McCarron	Fred W. Hooper
11/09/1984	Eillo Trainer / Budd Lepman Jockey / Craig Perret Owner / Crown Stable	Budd Lepman	Craig Perret	Crown Stable