Recap and quotes courtesy of Breeders’ Cup publicity
MyRacehorse, Torie Gladwell, Deja Blue Stable LLC, Jacob Shockley, Josh Messenger, Valerie Dailey and Joshua Hanna’s OBS graduate Bacio (Maclean’s Music – Katie’s Kiss, by Kantharos), morning-line favorite and post-time second choice for the 20th edition of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Sprint (G1), broke running and never looked in doubt when winning Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) after victories in Europe.
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) winner and fellow OBS graduate 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 field also featured last year’s Turf Sprint winner and OBS graduate, Shisospicy.
“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 offered at the 2025 OBS March Sale by the Top Line Sales consignment but failed to meet his reserve after breezing in :9 4/5.
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.”