LAST YEAR'S WINNER - STRAIGHT NO CHASER

• Trainer: Dan Blacker
• Jockey: John Velazquez
• Owner: MyRacehorse
• US Tote Win: $14.20
• BETTING STATS
• 2007-2024
• Favourites: 4/18 (22.2%) | Level stake loss -31.7%
• Odds-on Favs: 0/2 (0%) | Level stake loss -100%
• Median winning price: 5.1-1
• 2008-2024 in California
• Favourites: 2/11 (18.2%) | Level stake loss -43.6%
• Odds-on Favs: 0/2 (0%) | Level stake loss -100%
• Median winning price:  4.9-1

By Barry Faulkner

The Sprint is the division that has been impacted most by the increase in Breeders’ Cup races from 2007, with the introduction of the Filly & Mare Sprint, the Turf Sprint, and the Dirt Mile. In the 23 years before the expansion, only one running of the Sprint had a single-digit field (4.3%) compared with eight in the next 18 (44.4%), although 11 did line up in the race last year.

The table above is a pretty grim read for favourite-backers, and it has always been that way, with just nine jollies winning in this division in the 41 times it has been contested. However, the median price of the winner since the expansion has shrunk to 5.1-1 compared with 9.6-1 before.

Run record and class clues

Last year, Straight No Chaser arrived from a winning prep to become the 12th to do so in the last 18 years, with four others turning up from a second-place finish last time out.

Ten winners had a G1 victory to their names but only two of them had no Graded Stakes wins in their PPs.

Straight No Chaser became the first winner to take this from a California prep last time, the first to do so since Roy H got his second Sprint victory at Churchill Downs in 2018. That followed his score at Santa Anita in 2017, when he won the same prep race as the following year.

Run styles

Although speed rules on dirt across the pond, this race has fallen to runners with a variety of runs styles. However, one positive is form shown over six and a half or seven furlongs before reverting to six on the big day.

Age group

All age groups have been represented on the honours board, with a number of hard-knocking veterans succeeding. Prior to the arrival of the Filly & Mare Sprint, females performed with distinction in this division, but since its inception only two have tried and both were well beaten.

Draw

The draw has had little impact, regardless of the venue for the race.

Guidelines

• The betting has become a better indicator since additional sprints were added to the programme

• Look for runners with strong form over extended sprint trips

• Any run style has a chance, but a study of the pace profile is required

• Age is no barrier to success