BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Bentornato avenged his second-place finish in last year’s Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1) by dominating his rivals in Saturday’s edition at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, leading the $2 million Sprint from gate-to-wire to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
The Florida-bred ridgling son of Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister defeated 13 other 3-year-olds and older going six furlongs, becoming the sixth Florida-bred winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint following Eillo in 1984, Precisionist (1985), Smile (1986), Cherokee Run (1994) and Big Drama (2010).
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had Bentornato promptly breaking from post 10, jumping to the early lead with American Stage second to his inside. Bentornato took pressure from American Stage on the rail and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint-winner Straight No Chaser to his outside through a quarter mile in a rapid :21.48 but began to slip away around the turn. Straight No Chaser tried to keep up turning for home after a :44.14 half mile as American Stage dropped back then Bentornato darted off in the stretch to lead by two lengths at the furlong marker. He increased his lead while cruising under the wire, finishing in 1:08.20 on the fast track.
Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2)-winner Imagination was second, a nose faster than Dr. Venkman in third. They were followed in order by American Stage, Kopion, Lovesick Blues, Straight No Chaser, Nakatomi, Mullikin, Whatchtalkinabout, Banishing, Patriot Spirit and Florida-bred Mad House.
Link to full story https://www.ftboa.com/bentornato-dominates-breeders-cup-sprint
