BC Sprint (Grade 1)- $1,500.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
November 5, 2016

The 2016 BC Sprint provided a fantastic finish as four horses seemed to have a chance all the way down the stretch.  It would take a tremendous about of heart and desire to be the one that prevailed in this battle since all four of them were champions.  No Doubt About It and Five Star Five had hooked up in thrilling battles before and the two of them were poised to battle one another again, while last year’s runner up Domination Nation was coming on well on the outside hoping to do one spot better.  Sindaco Di Firenze, somewhat of a newcomer to this scene was also making his presence felt and was in position to pick up the victory for himself. Had he won, it would have been the second straight win in the BC Sprint for trainer Grimley. Others were in close pursuit and really running well in case any of the top four slipped, but none of them would.  In the end, No Doubt About It and Mb Stables edge out a pair who could not be separated and get a dead heat for second: Domination Nation and Sindaco Di Firenze.  Five Star Five settles for the competitive fourth.   No Doubt About It becomes the second Commanding foal to win this weekend as Wicked Heat also picked up the win in the Distaff, but the trainer will enjoy this one a little more as the owner of the foal.  As for Mb Stables, he can cross one more title of the list of big races that he had never won before.  Our winning jockey is R Bejarano, who also earned his first BC Sprint title.   The time of the win was 1:09.13, congratulations to the winner!  Let’s look at the race a little more!

1st- 3- No Doubt About It (7/1)- Our eventual race winner from Mb Stables looked as though he was going to start in the middle of the field, but jockey R Bejarano seemed determined to keep him closer to the lead, and settled him in just prior to the run, running two lengths from the lead, never allowing Reel Steal to cross over in front of him (important for later).  With Five Star Five to his outside, he was in tight quarters moving into the turn.  While running around the turn, he easily was able to move around Reel Steal to zero in on the lead, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that if Reel Steal did cross over in front of him, Five Star Five has the lane he takes, and when Reel Steal runs into Oh Awesome One, No Doubt About It may have seen his day come to an end right there.  At the top of the stretch, Sindaco Di Firenze took over the lead and Domination Nation was looking good to his outside.  It was going to be tough, but No Doubt About It was up to the task.  With half a furlong to go he was starting to take over the lead, but as these champions came down to the wire, it was looking like it would come down to the headbob.  In the photo finish, No Doubt About It comes out on top!  No Doubt About It is a three year old colt by Commanding and out of No Prayers (Tree Of Knowledge).  He was bred in Ontario by Mb Stables as a second quarter two year old and they have been together throughout! Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 6 (dh)- Sindaco Di Firenze (12/1)- The runner up from Grimley started well and would stalk the leader in the opening stages of the race.  Rounding the turn, he was running in the third lane, and was one of three that were even for third on the track.  He was strong at this point in the race, making the pass of Visa Vice seem easy and even outpacing the strong-running Domination Nation, though that one had to deal with the outside lane.   At the top of the stretch, he would emerge with the lead, and seemed to be in good shape, but it seemed as though he came down a little more then I would have liked, and that could have been just enough to allow No Doubt About It to comfortably complete his pass.   It was starting to seem like a few were going to get by, but he dug down impressively to get everything he could and earn a share of the second position.

2nd- 12 (dh)- Domination Nation (16/1)- It was a good started for the Double J Stables entry , breaking smoothly out of the gate and trailing the pacesetter by just a length and a half as they moved into the turn.  Unfortunately, to do this he had to remain about six wide, and would be this way for the turn, and for the duration of it.  At the top of the stretch, the 2014 BC Sprint runner up was showing his heart and was right in the thick of it.  He would do everything he could, but in the end, having to cover so much race track did him in.  More then likely, we are talking about him winning this race if he simply did not have to deal with this outside post, proving that the trip can make all the difference.

4th- 4- Five Star Five (25/1)- The Harrell Racing entry seemed to do just what he needed to do throughout the race.  He would start well, and seemed to keep himself glued to the outside of No Doubt About It down the backstretch and into the turn.  He was matching strides with the eventual winner as they tried to split the hole between Oh Awesome One and Sindaco Di Firenze as they moved into the stretch.  No Doubt About It pushed ahead of him slightly, and he still ran strong to the wire, but becomes the tough luck fourth place runner of the four in this field that all had a great shot.

5th- 10- Hallelujah (5/1)- The veteran from Eastern Equine started well, and would ultimately settle into a position just off the lead as made their way into the turn.  Tucked himself behind another veteran, Visa Vice, while going around the turn, then made the move to inside, looking for an opening between Five Star Five and Sindaco Di Firenze in the stretch.  Moved down another lane mid-stretch, likely with the encouragement of Moon Landing.  He was still able to run well to the wire, and is a tough luck fifth.

6th- 5- Reel Steal (12/1)- Quick out of the gate for Scarletandgraystable and looked as though he might lead the way down the backstretch before dropping back into a stalking position along the rail.  Looked to be in good shape around the turn, but he caught up to Oh Awesome One a little too quickly and had to alter his course.  Unfortunately for him, No Doubt About It already claimed that lane, and Reel Steal was held up a bit.  Just that little bit cost Reel Steal from having a much better shot at being with the top four, and perhaps, getting a check for the trainer.

7th- 9- Moon Landing (9/1)- The second Mb Stables entry ran in the middle of the field, keeping Agua Dulce company early on.  Held his ground most of the way in the turn, and looked to make his move as the race entered the stretch.    He would look to accomplish this by coming right up the middle, but there was a lot of movement going on in the pack, making this a tough path to follow.  Was a little aggressive with Hallelujah in the stretch trying to force his way down.  Remained in good stride all the way to the wire.

8th- 8- Give Your All (5/2)- Our pre-race selection and the choice of the betting public began the race towards the rear of the field for Mb Stables, and a little further back then I was expecting to see him early on.  Remained towards the rear will still four lengths to make up at the top of the stretch and traffic trouble looming.  A hole developed late, and he did what he could with it.  It’s a disappointment that’s easier take when you’re stablemate wins.

9th- 13- Oh Awesome One (34/1)- From his outside post position, the John Henry entry fired out of the gate and aggressively pulled out to the lead while running the opening quarter in :22.28.  He would continue to lead after half a mile, running that in :44.98, but they were starting to reel him as they reached the exit of the turn.  Once they caught up to him, he was done, and the trainer likely turned his attention to Fly Millennium’s power move at that point.

10th- 14- Fly Millennium (26/1)- This John Henry entry did the opposite of Oh Awesome One, and went to the rear of the field early on, ahead of only his stablemate Shelby Mustang who broke poorly.    Stayed back there until the exit of the turn, where he made an aggressive outside move to try and sweep around the entire field.  It would have been pretty if it led to the win, but it would only get him by a few in the long run.

11th- 2- Agua Dulce (19/1)- The gelding from Sanny Village found himself in the middle of the field, running in the ninth position, four lengths from the leaders moving into the turn. Made a strong move coming off the turn in an attempt to squeeze through the same lane No Doubt About It was running through.  He would not be able to follow through, partially because Five Star Five closed that lane up.

12th- 1- Ferro (14/1)- The Team 7 Illusions entry did not start all that well, and took up a position towards the back of the field early on.  Stayed back there until midway into the turn when he started hitting his best stride while riding the rail, and trailed by about four at the top of the stretch.  Got as close as he could before he ran into the back of Oh Awesome One, stalling further progress.

13th- 7- Visa Vice (18/1)- Career start #68 was the first one under the guidance of Maxmillion farm, and this gritty champion started well by stalking the pace early.  While rounding the turn, he was four wide, but seemed to be in a very good position to at least, finish well.  Once Domination Nation got by him, Visa Vice simply had enough.  You wonder if this will be his last race, though I wouldn’t give up on him.

14th- 11- Shelby Mustang (154/1)- Using an auto racing analogy, Shelby Mustang completely spun his tires at the start and was completely left behind early.   Fell back nine lengths on the backstretch and just can’t do that running against this level of competition.  Never got near any of his rivals in this race.

Track: Fast
Time: :22¹  :44⁴  :56⁴  1:09

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 6 Paid 106.00, 3 – 12 Paid 154.40
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 6 – 12 Paid 1,098.70, 3 – 12 – 6 Paid 1,098.70

Scratched: Air Show, Bolkonski, Hes Juiced Up, Kiwiw Ripoff

— NS

Categories: BC 2015-17, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP