2022 Breeders’ Bowl Sprint
The Breeders’ Bowl Sprint is open to horse three and up with the race on the dirt track set at a distance of 6-furlongs. Last year’s Breeders’ Bowl Sprint winner, and Eclipse winner Ancient Comedy is returning for a curtain call appearance. He has the most earnings in the field with over three million and the oddmakers have pegged him as the morning line favorite.
Eleven of the fourteen horses have won G1 races and range in age from three to six years of age. The girls have all skipped this race and the track is expected to be fast. Owner Dixiedotco has three horses entered in this field and Given has two hopefuls also in this race, hoping that this gives their stable an edge. Well, let’s look at the competitors for the Breeders’ Bowl Sprint race:
1 American Move 10/1
2022 Record: 7-4-0-1
Owner Massatoga has this 4-year old gelding out of American Pharoah ready to go. American Move earned a very nice three race win streak that commenced in April with a listed stake victory. He followed that with a G3 MD Breeders Bowl win in May and the final win in the streak came in June in the G2 Smile. He’s got a stalking type of racing style where he’ll sit back a stride or so off the leader and wait for his time to strike. In these three wins, he had sharp speeds in the 115 to 118 range.
The streak concluded when he faltered in the G2 Booker T. Handicap in July. After taking the lead in a head to head fight early on, he simply got burnt out and finished twelve. He made a quick turnaround in his last start, the G1 Iceberg where he resumed his stalking style and won by a stride with a 116 speed.
American Move does have the “move” and knows how to use it. Avoiding a battle on the front end will be a key and I think he’s learned his lesson and will put in a good showing.
2 Before the Altar 9/1
2022 Record: 6-2-2-0
Owner Dixiedotco enjoyed watching this 4-year old gelding from Justify start the 2022 season in fine shape. Before the Altar, who likes to run on the topside of the field, earned a quick win on an offtrack in the allowance class to start the season in March, after a decent break. It’s been said that the second start after a break can result in vast improvement and Before the Altar showed that as he ran in a listed stake event in April, leading for much of the race, and winning by over a length with a speed of 117, a significant improvement from the 100 he charted in the allowance race.
Before the Altar moved into the Bluegrass Sprint (G2) and raced in the top three spots throughout the race, concluding in the second spot with another 117 speed (the best in his career) drifting behind Sea Sick, the winner by more than a stride. In the G1 Three Bender, he again would finish second by nearly the same margin, on a wet track surface, hitting a very nice 116 speed.
Things fell apart from here, his last two outing were a 13th in the Booker T. Handicap and a fourth in the G3 Wasabi with speeds dropping along the way. Before the Altar needs to get past those two outings and regain the form he had earlier this year to have a shot at the Bowl victory.
3 Latin Connection 8/1
2022 Record: 5-3-0-0
This runner was sired by Maclean’s Music and the five year old horse is owned by Haack. Latin Connection is a mid-field runner who started the year off with a flat outcome in the G2 Pablw Verces Handicap, holding the fifth position throughout the race, but did pick up a few lengths by race end. He found improvement in his second start of the year in the G3 Count Fingers Sprint. He fell further back in this race to the ninth slot and closed very smoothly in the final half to earn the win and notching a 113 speed, his best in 2022.
He next ran in the G1 Sand Castle Golden Sprint and after running in a mid-field 7th, he fell back behind other horses who breezed by finishing the race in 11th and putting Latin Connection on the sidelines for over four months. He returned in August in a listed stake race, which he won fairly easily with a 109 speed.
His last start was an allowance race, which Latin had no problems showing he was best in the field, taking the win with a 112 speed. He’s returned nicely from his rest winning two in a row. He looks sharp and will push things going into this Bowl race. The rest and softer races since his return may have set him up to take this big one.
4 Gathadras 65/1
2022 Record: 6-1-0-1
The three-year old Gathadras, sired by Girvin, is the longshot in the field. He has four career wins for owner Oakridge but has had a tough year racing. He started the season racing in a trio of G1 races. The first was on New Years Day in the G1 Happy New Year. Gathadras got into a head-to-head battle for the lead which he eventually would take the lead from but would have to hold off a hard late closer. He would win a photo finish and gain the G1 victory.
Things turned sour quickly as he again got into a battle for the early lead in the 2022 Equinics but the battle would wear him down, finishing eighth. Things got worse in the Lets Get Dirty where a multiple horse fight would occur and Gathadras could not keep up, finishing tenth in the race.
He gave up the grade racing and dropped to the allowance group and finished off the board in two races, with a third in his last appearance, which was a Hot race. Gathadras speeds have been under 100 in four of his 2022 starts and based on others in this field, a speed of 115 or so will be needed to take the victory, something that this runner will have a tough time achieving.
5 Sea Sick 15/1
2022 Record: 6-4-1-0
This four year old mid-field runner is the son of sire Zong and is owned by Bigeasy30. He just may be overlooked by the oddmaker in this event. His first two starts in 2022 included a four-length win in an allowance race followed by a second place finish in a listed stake race where he lost in a photo by a head and a 110 speed.
This speed number would hoist up nicely to 119 in his first grade level race, the G2 Bluegrass Sprint. After holding a mid-field eighth position, he charged forward and did not stop until he crossed the line more than a stride ahead of his foes and at 38/1 odds. Unfortunately, racing luck did not follow Sea Sick in his nest start, the G2 Foolish Tom. He finished 7th in this race and was never a threat.
Sea Sick found his stride again in the G1 Foregone where he overcame a 7-length deficit at the half to closed and get the win with a 118 speed and again as a steep longshot at 20/1.
Coming into the Breeders’ race, he prepped in a Hot race, which he was easily the victor. Sea Sick has a pair of grade level wins with powerful speed figures and I wouldn’t overlook his chances in this one. He could light up the toteboard.
6 Ancient Comedy 5/1
2022 Record: 5-0-3-2
Ancient Comedy is another runner from owner Dixiedotco and the four-year old is sired by Flatter. After a 2021 season where he won five times, including the Breeders’ Bowl Sprint, he’s been blocked from the winner’s circle this season. He likes to run from the rear of the field and in late February in the 2022 Equinics in which he rallied from last at the half to finish hard taking the third spot in a 116 speed.
He came close to a win in the G1 Sand Castle Golden Sprint, trailing at the third call in 10th and firing through the stretch to miss by a quarter stride, beaten by co-late runner Weapon of Royalty. Ancient scored another 116 speed in second place effort. He had another near-win effort in the G1 Tapit. After trailing by 9 lengths at the half, he again charged late, finished second by a quarter stride once again, unable to catch the front running Minding Perfection.
Ancient finished third, a good two strides behind American Move in the G2 Smile back in June and his last start came after a three month break in the G1 Old Name which was on the slop. Trailing by nine lengths heading into the stretch, he looked awesome as he passed one horse after another, but could not catch the front runner, ending up in second by under a length and a sharp 119 speed. While Ancient Comedy has not picked up a win this year, his efforts have been top notch. His last win was in the Breeders Bowl Sprint last year which could be the very spot he earns his next victory.
7 Weapon of Royalty 9/1
2022 Record: 6-2-0-1
Owner Lenny271 moved this four year old gelding (sired by Cairo Prince) into grade level racing at the onset of the 2022 racing season. This late closer had no problem fitting in as his premier start in graded company came in the G2 Pablo Verces Handicap where he rallied from 11 back at the half to come up short in third by two strides and a 110 speed.
He quickly got his first grade win in the G3 Silver Spoon with a strong stretch run moving from the eighth position at the third call to win by a half a length and a 113 speed mark. This level would pump up in the G1 Sand Castle up to 117 as Weapon of Royalty was running last at the half, moved up only two spots by the three-quarter pole and charged to win by a quarter stride and a longshot at 13/1.
Things made a turn from this point, as the G2 Due North Stakes resulted in a disappointing 7th place finish followed by a fifth in the G1 Binger Handicap. Weapon of Royalty may be on the road to recovery. On a sloppy track in the G1 Old Name, his last start, he put in a very impressive late run moving from 13th, and 10 back at the third call to finish fourth by two strides. His speed improved to 116 from the previous pair of poor outings which were 105 and 106. Weapon of Royalty may have made a turnaround at a very important time and could be ready to revisit the winners circle.
8 Minding Perfection 9/1
2022 Results: 8-1-1-2
Four year old Minding Perfection is sired by Mind Your Biscuits and had a poor start to the 2022 season for owner Corza. In his first three starts, he finished in mid-field 7th in the G2 Pablo Verces Handicap and 8th in the G1 Sand Castle Golden Sprint but did get a third in the G3 Count Fingers Sprint between these two races.
Minding Perfection, who loves being on the front side, was able to set the early fractions in the G1 Tapit and eventually built a cozy lead. The 11/1 runner was able to hit the line first, winning by a narrow quarter stride and popped a 115 speed, his career best. He took the lead in his next appearance, the G2 Due North Stakes, but was unable to retain it as he succumbed to a third place finish, overtaken by three strides.
He had a pair of G1 races and a listed stake race in his last three starts, with a second coming in the listed race event. The G1 outings (Binger Handicap and Old Name) were not as pleasant as Minding Perfection finished 7th in both races. Minding Perfection has had his ups and downs during the year and it is questionable whether he will be able to retain the stamina to stay up on the front the entire distance.
9 Yavin Prime 6/1
2022 Record: 7-3-0-2
This four year old, sired by Uncle Mo, structured a three race win streak for owner Kaner earlier this racing season. The first win came in an allowance race where Yavin Prime rallied from a the eighth spot to draw away to a near-2 length win. With this victory tucked away, he ran in the G2 Billy and Jimmy Stakes and closed from a mid-field seventh to get a nice win at 10/1 odds and a feisty 116 speed.
Sticking in the G2 class, Yavin next visited the Due North Stakes and ran a very similar race as the Billy and Jimmy Stakes, leaving the 7th spot at the half and cruising to a win by over a stride and a career best 118 speed. All good things come to an end and the win streak did just that as Yavin Prime entered the Binger Handicap (G1). He started slower this time, in the back sector of the field and was running 10th at the half but closed nicely to move up to third place and the slower than usual start probably cost him the win.
Yavin Prime entered into the G1 Foregone, but wasn’t at his best as he finished eighth and was never in serious competition. Things may have changed as his last start in the G1 Iceberg saw Yavin with another slow start, again in the back part of the field, but he was able to gain late to finish third and with a 114 speed. The slow start may have had an effect on the outcome once again and if he can get better early positioning in the Bluegrass Sprint, he may be in a good spot to make it to the top spot this time.
10 Up the Tunnel 30/1
2022 Record: 7-5-1-1
This horse is owned by Dixiedotco and is the only horse out of Sire Clubhouse Ride to win a grade level race. Up the Tunnel, as a three year old, has not finished off the board all season and welcomed the 2022 racing year with a four race win streak. The first one came in his only turf race in the allowance company, which came easily as the even-money favorite.
He found another easy allowance win as he moved back to the dirt which set Up the Tunnel for his first listed stake race in April. In the early going, he sat back in the fourth position and timed his move perfectly and cruised to a nice one-stride win. He was asked to go in another listed race in May and this time took off to the lead and wired the field for his fourth straight win.
He put up a 101 speed in that race and carried the same speed figure into his first grade level race, the G2 Carry Forward. He fought early on for the lead, but was denied it and tired a bit late finishing third by over two lengths. Up the Tunnel then returned to listed stakes in early August, and hit that 101 speed for a third time. Once again, he would have to fight early for the lead, which he held by a marinal amount and was pressed throughout the race and eventually his aggressor was able to beat him in the final furlong. Up the Tunnel’s recent start was in the G1 Prince’s Knight Stakes. Instead of fight early for the lead, he pulled back off the pace and was patient. He moved when he was asked to and strolled to the win by over a stride and a career best speed of 110. This win is a nice one to bound into a top race, but he faces older horses for the first time and the speed will need to fire quite a bit higher to get him out of the tunnel and into the game.
11 War Echoes 20/1
2022 Record: 6-4-0-2
This three year old, sired by War Front, has never had a finish out of the top three for owner Given. War Echoes ended the 2021 season with a win and was entered into a pair of listed stake races to start the 2022 season. In both races, he was the best taking over the lead at the head of the stretch and cruising to the line in first.
War Echoes was elevated to the G1 Lets Get Dirty and after running in the back quarter of the field early on, he quickly moved to the third spot by the three-quarter pole and pounced to the lead and drew off by over a stride to win with a 103 figure. He next ran in the G2 Pea Shooters Handicap and once again maneuvered up the third position and drew away from the field for yet another win, making a win streak of 6 in a row.
The streak ended in the G2 Everything’s Legal when War Echoes found himself in 10th at the third call but made up ground to take third with a 104 speed. His last start was running with older horses on a sloppy track in the G1 Old Name. War Echoes put in his best race of his career as a 31/1 runner coming from six off the lead at the three-quarter pole to finish third by under two strides and a career best 117 speed. The speed in his last race is competitive with the field in the Breeders’ Sprint. But is it a fluke? Or is it that he likes the wet track even more than the dry? He’s had a very nice season and could be a surprise in this race.
12 Darth Var 11/1
2022 Record: 7-2-1-2
Padrebri is the owner of Darth Var who is a four year old that was sired by Var. He entered grade level racing at the start of the year appearing in the G3 Minster’s Deputy. He likes the lead and got into a scrimmage with two other horses. Darth Var would briefly get the lead but ultimately surrender it and finish third with a 113 speed. He moved into the G1 Sand Castle Golden Sprint in his next outing where he backed off to fifth and then came after the lead in the second half of the race. Ultimately, he finished third by a half stride and boasting a career best 115 speed.
Darth Var would next try his luck in the G2 Bluegrass Sprint. Another fight pursued for the lead and he would have a very narrow edge. But the fight took its toll and Darth would tire back to seventh. Looking for a refresher and a confidence booster, Darth Var next jumped into an allowance race where he wired the field by a stride. Hoping this was the key to success, a return to graded racing brought him to the G2 Sooner-Husker Stakes. A battle for the lead incurred during the first half the race but after that, it was all Darth Var as he won by three-quarters of a length and a 110 speed.
He had a poor outcome in the G1 Foregone, finishing 12th after running third in the early stages of the race. His last start was in an allowance race and he finished in second as the beaten favorite. Darth Var can hit the 110+ speeds and it will be needed in this race. Most likely, he will have to fight his way to the top spot to do this and find a way to break away from the other front runners.
13 Curlin’s Storm Cat 7/1
2022 Record: 5-0-1-1
At the age of 6, Curlin’s Storm Cat is the oldest runner in this field and is owned by Stockswami. He took a winter recess that lasted over four months and returned in late March to compete in the G1 Sand Castle Golden Sprint. The late runner was near the rear of the field and had difficulty breaking out. It wasn’t until the stretch that he found some room and advanced from ten back to finish over four lengths behind the winner in 9th place.
After that first race, and hoping the rust from the rest was now gone, he ran in the G1 Tapit and put in a better outing. He had a nice sprint in the stretch, making up tons of ground and finished third with a 111 speed. Hardships would hit in Curlin’s Storm Cat’s next pair of G1 races where he finished 8th in the Tree Bender and 9th in the Foregone.
His last start was in the G1 Iceberg and Curlin’s Storm Cat would have some luck go his way. Trailing in the 12 position at the three-quarte pole, Curlin’s Storm Cat dug in deep and charged hard in the stretch to finish second, only one length off the winner. The 114 speed is promising and if he get near or above that speed in the Breeders’ Bowl Sprint, and start his advance a bit sooner, he could take this Bowl race.
14 Orochi 8/1
2022 Record: 5-2-1-0
Orochi is sired by Quality Road and the four year old is one of two entrants by owner Given. Orochi is a horse that only likes to be the leader and will go hard to get there. All five of his starts this year were grade level events and he started the season in the G1 2022 Equinics. He got into a heated battle for the lead, holding it by a small margin for most of the race but he would wear down and fade off to fifth by the end with a 113 speed.
Orochi matched that speed in the Billy and Jimmy Stakes. Here, he was able to take ahold of the lead and gave himself some two and a half stride advantage going into the stretch. He would be caught but held onto second. Things went much better in the G3 Artist Isle where he had no problem getting the lead and building a four stride lead. This lead quickly deteriorated but it was enough to win by a neck at the wire with a 112 speed.
The Binger Handicap (G1) race was very similar run to the Artist Isle. Orochi built a nice lead but just held on at the wire by a head to get another grade level win, with a 113 speed. His last appearance was in the Iceberg where a three horse battle for the front spot quickly developed. The battle tired Orochi out and he faded off to finish 6th. This field is a handful of front runners and this could be his biggest battle to date to get the lead. Breaking away from the field will be hard and he’ll need to do just that to have some safety gap to hold off the late runners.
My Picks
I’m hedging to Sea Sick in this race. He’s got talent that and can hit those top speeds. A surprise waiting to happen.
Ancient Comedy is consistent and rarely off the board. He has wonderful late speed and can not be ruled out of being a repeat Breeders’ Bowl Sprint winner.
I like American Move in this race. He can sit off the leaders and there will be many of them fighting for the top spot. He could be in the right spot to overtake them as they wear down.