Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

No matter the year, no matter the horse, the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint continues to be won by trainer Peter Miller. After training Stormy Liberal to back-to-back victories in 2017-’18, the trainer added a third consecutive score when 6-year-old mare Belvoir Bay went wire to wire.

As if that wasn’t enough, Miller also trained the runner-up, Om, who out-nodded Shekky Shebaz by a nose in a place photo, the duo was 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Of Miller’s three participants, only Stormy Liberal disappointed in his bid for a historic three-peat, running eighth after chasing the pace.

It was Miller’s second one-two finish in the race. His trainees ran that way in 2017 at Del Mar when Stormy Liberal crossed the finish line just ahead of Richard’s Boy. This was Miller’s fifth Breeders’ Cup victory.

His training skill was on display in his preparation of Gary Barber’s Belvoir Bay, the lone female in the 12-horse field lined up for the 12th running of the Turf Sprint. She was fit and fresh for her first start in nearly five months after finishing fourth in the June 8, Grade 1 Jaipur Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park and busted away from her outside post. Racing uncontested on the lead, Belvoir Bay was never in danger of being caught under Javier Castellano.

“It looked like the other speed, Pure Sensation, didn’t get away from there good,” Miller said. “When we made the lead like that, I didn’t look at the fractions because I know this filly—she’s tough as nails. She’s 900 pounds soaking wet and all heart. She’s unbelievable.”—Byron King