Bacio takes them end to end in the BC Turf Sprint, Breeders’ Cup Photo
Breeders’ Cup Press
LEXINGTON, Ky – MyRacehorse, Torie Gladwell, Deja Blue Stable LLC, Jacob Shockley, Josh Messenger, Valerie Dailey and Joshua Hanna’s Bacio ($6.36), morning-line favorite and post-time second choice for the 20th edition of the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Dirt Sprint (G1), broke running and never looked in doubt when becoming the second horse in as many days to pull off the Royal Ascot-Yorkshire Ebor Festival-Breeders’ Cup treble, following V. I Araci’s Libertango (IRE), winner of Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) after victories at the same prestigious meetings.
Winner of the Palace of Hollyroodhouse Handicap at Ascot in June, then the prestigious Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York in August in his most recent efforts, the Kentucky-bred son of Maclean’s Music was once again dominant in victory, breaking on top and joined on the front with Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1) winner Miss Yechance (Ire) through an opening quarter-mile in 21.23. Shaking off that rival before the quarter-pole and hitting the three-sixteenths-pole with a half-mile split in 43.86, the now-six-time winner from seven starts opened up on the field under first-time Breeders’ Cup-winning jockey Juan Hernandez before holding off all comers en route to a two-length tally.
The final time was 1:02.11 for the 5½ furlongs over Keeneland Race Course’s firm turf. The victory was trainer Wesley Ward’s second in the race, following Golden Pal in 2021, and seventh Breeders’ Cup trophy.
George Weaver-trained 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) champion Cy Fair rallied to finish an admirable second under John Velazquez, while holding off by a neck another previous Breeders’ Cup champion, 2024 Turf Sprint winner Starlust (GB). The four-horse blanket finish also included the closing pair of Mark Casse-trained Franklin (G2) winner Time to Dazzle and Donnacha O’Brien-conditioned multiple Group 1-winning post-time favorite Comanche Brave, who finished a nose behind Starlust in a dead-heat for fourth.
“Really special,” Hernandez said. “I’m just really happy and pleased he got here and thanks again for all the support from my family and thanks again to all the connections. I was comfortable with the time. I was saving enough horse for the last part. I think I saved enough horse, because in the gallop-out they never passed me.”
Ward was over the moon with the performance of his stable star.
“This is a special horse and there was a lot to the whole story behind him,” Ward beamed. “To me, getting him and once he started winning, me keeping him. He was kind of a sought-after horse for a lot of people who were trying to come in. My daughter-in-law brought me one of the greatest gifts ever. My grandson Killian, and she put an ownership group together with My Racehorse in order to keep them here in our stable. It’s so nice to have thousands of owners in this horse and win the Breeders’ Cup to where it just spreads to where that it’s going to really help our sport. MyRacehorse is fantastic, where we have so many owners and they have so many friends that watch this this race. We need all the help we can get in our in our sport, and I think this is a big boost. When you’ve got speed, you go the lead. Juan did a great job.”
The victory was worth $520,000 and increased Bacio’s career bankroll to $1,229,959. He was bred by Torie Gladwell, Cincinnati Equine, Borrowdale LLC, Knollwood Farm et al.
Race Quotes:
Winning trainer Wesley Ward (Bacio): “This is a special horse, and there was a lot to the whole story behind him. He was kind of a sought-after horse for a lot of people who were trying to come in. My daughter-in-law brought me one of the greatest gifts ever. My grandson Killian, and she put an ownership group together with My Racehorse in order to keep him here in our stable. It’s so nice to have thousands of owners in this horse and win the Breeders’ Cup. My Racehorse is fantastic, where we have so many owners and they have so many friends that watch this this race. We need all the help we can get in our in our sport, and I think this is a big boost. When you’ve got speed, you go to the lead. Juan did a great job.”
Winning jockey Juan Hernandez (Bacio): “Really special. I’m just really happy and pleased he got here and thanks again for all the support from my family and thanks again to all the connections.”
“I was comfortable with the time. I was saving enough horse for the last part. … I think I saved enough horse, because on the gallop-out, they never passed me.”
Second-place trainer George Weaver (Cy Fair): “The filly is not one to contest the pace. (Johnny V) let her get into a nice rhythm. Where she is in the race depends on the pace and the tempo. She was comfortable for him the first three eighths of a mile of the race and she picked it up when he asked her to. She ran great down the lane. Just second best.
“She is a great horse, she still is. We’re proud to have her.”
Second-place jockey John Velazquez (Cy Fair): “Wow. It’s feels like only Wesley (Ward) could beat us today. She (Cy Fair) showed that she has a big heart. I got a little farther back than I wanted to. The horse inside of me kind of came out and got us a little bit. I wanted to save some ground, then at the quarter pole, I went inside the 7 horse (Comanche Brave), then he came out. But she ran. She ran for me.”
Third-place jockey Rossa Ryan (Starlust (GB)): “He ran another great race. We obviously had a tricky draw out in 13. He loves coming to America and did up proud once again so I’m delighted.”
Fourth-place in a dead-heat jockey Billy Loughnane (Comanche Brave (IRE): “He was a little on edge beforehand. He broke like he would back back. American sprinters are just faster (from the gate). I think my horse is better in a straight line. He came with his run. He’s had a brilliant season and I believe he’s entered in Hong Kong so he could possibly go there. He’s so tough and travelling is no issue to him.”
Fourth-place in a dead-heat trainer Donnacha O’Brien (Comanche Brave (IRE)): “He ran well. He was just a little bit ran off his feet early and had plenty work to do. But everything went to plan. No excuses. The winner was super impressive, and we were pleased with the performance.”
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