Let’s start with the formals – I want to take this opportunity to thank every single member, here at SRF.  The out-pouring of love and kindness, in this tough time, has been nothing short of spectacular.  I can never say thank you enough… this community is absolutely amazing.  Email, private message, phone calls, forum posts… I got love from every corner of the world – from the bottom of my heart and from my family – thank you to each and every person. 

With that being said, and as I’ve told people thru the years, I’ve never played this game to make money… it’s not about wins… it was ALWAYS about fun.  As I lost Ali, I’ve also lost my want to play… the fun is gone.  It was a joint venture, even if it was just her making fun of me for TRYING to take it serious, some times.  So, this will probably be my final coverage – The BC Sprint (GI) – I may continue to edit/post, just to keep the presses running, in Mike’s honor… but my day-to-day time here is over.  I asked for a swan song, and boss said “you got it”… so, let’s go out with a good one.

Now, it’s obviously too early to start covering a race that takes place the last day of Oct, but that’s never stopped me from getting after things.  Without further ado, the first “Early Bird” coverage of the 2026 BC Sprint. 

    Horse                                            Sprint Pts            Overall Pts             Earnings

1  Diametric                                        14                           46                           2,490.00

The Mb Stables monster looks to be headed for The Classic after back-to-back wins in the Pacific Classic (GI) and the JC Gold Cup (GI).  Let’s face it, right now, you can run him anywhere and he’s going to be a hand-full.  The Big Barn is always tough.

 2  Superbush                                    14                           18                           910.00

 All of his wins came in the first quarter of ’26 and they moved him to the weeds in his most recent start, a runner-up finish in the KD Turf Spring (GII).  The Acber Farms 5yo is another that has a few options, and may not be in the field for this one, if they choose to go grass.

 3  Creepy Romantic – Q                 14                           14                           460.00

The only auto-Q thus far, and the runner-up in this race last season, Max has a hot one on his hands.  Back-to-back wins in the Aristides (GIII) and the Crosby (GI), this is a very rapid horse with all the class and ability you could ever ask for.  Wet tracks could be a question but this one looks ready to run a big race. 

 4  Silver Hurricane                           12                           30                           1,042.00

This one was bred by Acber Farms and owned by the big barn… quite the theme.  He’s been first or second in seven-of-eight ’26 starts and got back to the winning ways while taking the Gallant Bob (GII) at PRX, in his most recent trip to the starting gate.  Older horses may be the only question mark.  

 5  Star Vault                                      12                           18                           492.00

 Got his first win of the season last out but taking the Forego (GI) puts him right in the thick of the conversation.  He’s been on the board in a hand-full of other graded races and really seems to be enjoying the switch from two-turns to the sprint distances.  Mb Stables has another live wire with this one. 

 6  Exploration Bay                           12                           14                           398.80

 The big barn has them lined up… this one winning the Bango (GII) at CD back in June, then threw a clunker in the Crosby (GI), only to bounce back as the runner-up in the OBrien, both of those in DMR.  Still, first or second in five of eight starts this year… when he’s right, his is VERY tough. 

 7  Only Way Is Up                            12                           12                           229.00

 The ol’ boy was rolling along and then the OBiren (GII) happened.  Last of twelve, that afternoon, and it makes you wonder if time finally caught up.  Let’s hope he finds it again, IF they start him again before the big race, but the red flat is there.

 8  Chilled Niagra                              11                           11                           519.40

He had a four race win streak and was still on the board in a pair of graded races before being taken back to the weeks for a shot in the KD Turf Spring (GII).  Now, the barn is very fond of KD and I understand why they ran him there… just omit that race, which still was nothing to be ashamed of, and look for him to be back on the main track soon. 

 9  Need Cash Now                          10                           14                           530.00

A huge win in the Stephens (GI) at SAR, but he’s been in a bit of a down-ward spiral since.  Fourth, fifth, last of eight… not exactly the form you want to show at this point in the process.  Can he turn it around?  I’d be watching his next race, very close. 

 10  Wizardly                                      10                           10                           467.77

This 3yo is on a heck of a run…  four in a row including the race of his life in the Jerkins (GI) at SAR.   He’s very sharp right now, so it’s up to the barn to keep him on his toes and land in Lexington with a full tank of gas.  This one could be big big trouble. 

 11  The Hunter                                 10                           10                           380.20

Once he got off of the TC Trail, he’s been very solid… and if you like a horse-for-course, he has a win and two seconds over the KEE track.  Add in that he LOVES a wet track… a lot of upside in this one.  GII win in the Amsterdam, and that was on a sloppy surface, I think he’s a horse that certainly has a puncher’s chance.  And he has a LOT of punch.   

 12  I Want It All                                10                           10                           200.00

We close out the top dozen with a horse that is very lightly raced this year, only four starts.  He won the MD Sprint (GIII) and was second in the Forego (GI) so he’s making the most of his opportunities and the freshness could be a big advantage, along with his consistency. 

Categories: BC 2026, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES