Preview: Breeders' Cup Sprint 2020 ( Horses, Racecard, 2019 Video)
The perspective field for the Sprint has evolved more than any other Breeders' Cup race over the past few months.
Steve Asmussen's Volatile leaped to the front of the class with an impressive win in the Alfred G. Gr.1 Vanderbilt Handicap only to be retired with an injury a few weeks ago.
Asmussen did not have time to feel sorry for himself as his undefeated Yaupon emerged as a leading contender following impressive wins in the Amsterdam and Chick Lang.
Win-Win Win also figured to take major action in the Sprint after his fast closing Forego win over Complexity, but he joined Volatile in retirement last week
C Z Rocket and Firenze Fire, both of whom appeared past their primes earlier this season, have regained their best form and both runners now appear as good as ever.
C Z Rocket was dropped all the way down to $40,000 this spring when he was claimed on behalf of Peter Miller. He has since won four races in a row, including the Pat O'Brien at Del Mar to earn an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and Santa Anita Sprint Championship that awards a bid to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Firenze Fire only had one win in four starts, including an 11th-place finish in the Forego, since leaving the Jason Servis barn for trainer Kelly Breen. He snapped back to form last week with a win in the Vosburgh at Belmont Park.
Among the biggest questions for the Sprint are the statuses of Vekoma, Diamond Oops, and Frank's Rockette.
Vekoma, the Met Mile and Carter winner, would be the favorite in this spot, but is also under consideration for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. On Thursday, trainer George Weaver said he was leaning towards the Sprint with Vekoma.
Diamond Oops, the versatile winner of the Phoenix Stakes, could wind up in either the Sprint or Turf Sprint. It's possible the connections wait to see where Vekoma winds up before making their decision.
Here is the full Runner list 2020
And we hope you will enjoy taking a second look at last year's race which was won by Mitole Race video 2019