Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Golden Pal did precisely what trainer Wesley Ward predicted he would do in the $920,000 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, exploding out of the gate to clear the field in a matter of strides and denying the rest of the field any hope before they even hit the bend.

The 3-year-old Uncle Mo colt never slowed down in the stretch, cruising to a 1 ¼-length win in 55.22 seconds and becoming a two-time Breeders' Cup winner. He won the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland last year for the Coolmore group of Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg.

"He's got the title – he's the best horse (I've ever trained)," said the trainer afterward, who picked up his sixth Breeders' Cup win. "I hope everyone in horse racing has a horse like this, as special as he is."

"He's always had a high opinion of the horse," said Coolmore's M.V. Magnier, gesturing to Ward. "We got together and got the deal done.”

The 5-2 favorite blitzed the field through a quarter-mile in 22.25 seconds and a half-mile in 43.91 seconds under Irad Ortiz Jr. and was not challenged in the stretch by runner-up Lieutenant Dan. Charmaine's Mia finished third.

Ortiz also rode Golden Pal in last year's Juvenile Turf Sprint victory.

"He was ready today," Ortiz said. "I was happy to get the lead easily and he responded to me when I asked him for the run down the stretch. I was confident coming for home and he still felt very strong."

Ward suggested a return to Royal Ascot would be targeted for Golden Pal's 4-year-old season. He was second by a neck in the Norfolk Stakes as a 2-year-old.