Breeders’ Cup Qatar Racing Sprint
By John Pinder
Jackie’s Warrior.
Wait, you’re still reading, why? You know that Jackie’s Warrior is a gifted colt and the things that he has accomplished on the track are truly special. This three year-old has competed in eleven straight graded stakes races, winning eight and putting up very fast times while doing so. You may or not know that the horse was named for a relative of the breeding operations family, Jackie Ross, a brain cancer survivor in remission. A talented young horse with an uplifting name, trained by one of the best horsemen in the business, Steve Asmussen, and you are still reading? You’re a horseplayer that’s why! Obviously, Jackie’s Warrior deserves to be a short-priced favorite in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Qatar Racing Sprint, but is there any reason to look elsewhere? Value abounds my fellow racing fan, let’s take a look.
If anyone is going to beat our friend Jackie’s Warrior, they will likely have to come from off the pace in order to do so; but they can’t attempt to come from too far back either. Dr. Schivel is also a three-year-old budding star, who gets his name from the Batman series villain, aka Mr. Freeze, has a good mix of speed and the ability to finish strong. This speedy son of Violence is trained by Mark Glatt and is a perfect three for three at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the site of this year’s Breeders’ Cup festivities. He drew post position nine in a field of nine, so he should have the opportunity to be out in the clear when they hit the stretch. Special Reserve is a five year–old who has taken his speed game to the next level after being claimed by trainer Michael Maker. Second off the layoff for Mike Maker is one of the handicapping angles that is known to do very well; Irad Ortiz being in the saddle is also not a bad thing. In last year’s edition of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, we saw Whitmore come from off the pace to blow by the competition; so, it is not completely out of the question for a late runner to be able to win the Sprint. Aloha West fits this profile well, as he does his best running in the lane. He was beat by a nose last time out by fellow competitor Special Reserve, after the front runners set sensible fractions. I anticipate the pace in this one to be a little livelier up front increasing his chances of crossing the wire first.
Regardless of how we align our multi-race wagers or key our superfectas, this year’s Breeders’ Cup Qatar Racing Sprint should be very interesting. If you are still reading at this point, hopefully you have gained a little more insight to help you make your decision easier. Good Luck and have a fun and profitable Breeders’ Cup.
