How to bet the 2021 Breeders' Cup Sprint

A total of nine horses will travel six panels in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Saturday. The first leg of the late Pick 5 is led by three-time Grade 1 star #2 Jackie’s Warrior (6-5), who is the clear one to beat in the field.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, the bay son of Maclean’s Music has a fine combination of blazing speed and tenacity that he has displayed on numerous occasions in his impressive career. The $95,000 yearling purchase began his career with four straight facile tallies before being upended in a pair of route tries, but he is back in pristine form with four wins and a neck second in his last five assignments.

The three-year-old colt has been in California in preparation for this race since early October, and his string of morning drills will have him ready to fire his best shot in his local bow. Jackie’s Warrior doesn’t need the lead to win, but if he secures the top position on the backside, then he will be very tough to run down under Joel Rosario.

#1 Following Sea (6-1) is a colt who I always thought had a lot of talent, and he put it all together last time out when he romped home in the Vosburgh S. (G2) at Belmont. The son of Runhappy was no match for the favorite two back at Saratoga, but I am willing to give him a pass for that performance over a speed-laden surface. If the Spendthrift homebred gets out well enough to stay in touch early on, then he and jockey John Velazquez will be in the hunt throughout at a fine price.

#9 Dr. Schivel (4-1) has won five straight overall, which includes two Grade 1 races on the course. The underrated bay son of Violence has proven his versatility this campaign, taking the Bing Crosby (G1) from off the pace two back prior to registering a wire-to-wire victory in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (G2) most recently. The Kentucky-bred is training swiftly and gets a dream post on the outside of the fleet cast. Flavien Prat stays in the silks.

#5 Aloha West (8-1) has excellent form, as well as a fine turn of foot, and he has never been better for Wayne Catalano. The dark bay son of Hard Spun just missed in the Phoenix S. (G2) at Keeneland last time, and if the race sets up for him, he has an upset chance under Jose Ortiz.

#3 C Z Rocket (12-1) and #6 Firenze Fire (10-1), who finished second and third, respectively, in the race last season, also merit inclusion in the exotics.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint Wagers

• $1 superfecta key 2 with 1, 3, 5, 6, 9 ($60)
• $1 superfecta 1, 2 with 1, 2, 9 with 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 with 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 ($48)

The video below contains all available race replays for Breeders' Cup contenders' last racing effort, for your handicapping ease. TwinSpires has your back!