Breeders' Cup 2026 - Nine Race ReCap For Thoroughbreds Age 3 and Up

  I apologize for a "late" report -  I have detached 3 of the 4 tendons in my right rotator cuff, as well as the right bicep tendon, and on occasion can't use my right arm and hand.  That happened after yesterday's  Breeders' Cup races.  I had my notes, but I refused to try to type this using only my left hand last night... Tomorrow I see my primary care doctor, and I'll be referred to a specialist to evaluate surgical repairs.

    Yesterday's Breeders' Cup races began with the Fillies and Mares Sprint, covering 7 furlongs (7/8 mile), for a purse of $1 million.  All the ladies carried 124 pounds, being 4 years or older, except 3-year-old Explora, who carried 122.  There were eleven entries: 8 were bred in Kentucky, 1 in California, 1 in Florida, and 1 in Pennsylvania.  Ten of the ladies were bay and one was a gray/roan.

    Way and Means, a five-year-old daughter of Practical Joke, won the Sprint in impressive fashion, crossing the finish line 6 and 1/4 lengths ahead of the field, in a time of 1:21.76.  She increased her earnings by $520,000.  This was noted as her last race, as she is being sold this month.

Photo by Mathea Kelley.

    Foie Gras, a 4-year-old daughter of Volatile, finished in second, and earned $170,000.  She was a half-length in front of  3-year-old Explora, a daughter of Blame, taking home $90,000.  Explora was 2 1/2 lengths in front of Kilwin, a 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, who bankrolled $50,000.   

   Evanescence was in fifth place, earning $30,000; in sixth was Majestic Oops, who garnered $20,000; seventh was Simply Joking, taking home $10,000; eighth was Disaster, who won $10,000; in ninth was Kerry's Kiss, who got a check for $10,000; tenth was Look Forward, who received $10,000; and in eleventh was Sweet Azteca.

   I always list betting payouts for a $2 bet.  Here are the payouts for the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Sprint:  win - $4.14; place - $11.38; show - 3.90; perfecta - $51.70; trifecta - $325.44; superfecta - $1,356.60.

    The Turf Sprint saw a full field of 14 (with 4 still waiting on the scratch list), ranging in age from 3 to 6 years, with both sexes competing in the race.  Since it was a weight for age and sex race, I will put the weight the horse carried in [brackets] when listing the results; both 3-year-olds and females received weight concessions.  The race covered 5 1/2 furlongs (11/16 mile) and had a purse of $1 million.  All United States-bred horses were from Kentucky; there were 3 entries bred in Ireland and 1 bred in Great Britain.  There were three 3-year-olds, three 4-year-olds, seven 5-year-olds, and one 6-year-old in the field; four of the runners were geldings, and six were female.  Eight of the entries were bays, with four chestnuts and two gray/roans.

   The winner of the Turf Sprint was a 3-year-old chestnut colt named Bacio [124], sired by Maclean's Music, who had been racing in Great Britain this summer, under trainer Wesley Ward.  Bacio won the Sprint by 2 lengths, in a time of 1:02.11, and took home $520,000.

   Cy Fair [121], a 3-year-old filly by Not This Time, finished in second place, earning $170,000.  She was a neck ahead of Starlust (GB) [126], a 5-year-old horse by Zoustar (AUS), who garnered $90,000.  Starlust (GB) crossed the finish line a nose ahead of Comanche Brave (IRE) [126], a 4-year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB), who took home a paycheck of $40,000.

   The fifth horse to cross the finish line in the Turf Sprint was Time to Dazzle [123], a 5-year-old mare, earning $40,000; sixth was Yellow Card [126], who took home $20,000; seventh was Sorrento Sky (IRE) [126], who received $10,000; eighth was Possiblemente [126], receiving $10,000; ninth was Joe Shiesty [126], getting $10,000; in tenth place was Miss Yechance (IRE) [121], earning $10,000.  In eleventh place was In Our Time [123], in twelfth was John the Beer Man [126]; thirteenth was Roja [123], and Shisospicy [123] was surprisingly the last to cross the finish line.

    Betting payouts for the Turf Sprint were:  win - $6.36; place - $8.14; show - $12.08; perfecta - $74.54; trifecta - $1,410.12; superfecta - $6,673.00.

   The Dirt Mile was the third Breeders' Cup race, with a field of ten vying for a purse of $1 million.  The horses who ran in this race were all males, ranging in age from 3 to 7 years, including one gelding.  Seven of the boys were bay, two were gray/roans, and one was a chestnut.  There was an one entry from Argentina, one from Japan (all horses bred in Japan and running in the Breeders' Cup are descendants of Sunday Silence, who won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and Breeders' Cup Classic in 1989), and all the United States horses were bred in Kentucky.

   This race ended in a photo-finish.  The stewards had to enlarge the photo greatly, and view  mirrored images to declare the winner after excuriatingly long minutes for the two horses that many thought finished in a Dead Heat.  But, after close examination, Further Ado, the chestnut 3-year-old son of Gun Runner, was a flared nostril ahead of Owen Almighty.  As a 3-year-old, Further Ado carried 123 pounds, while the rest of the field - all 4 to 7 years old - carried 126 pounds.  Further Ado earned $520,000 for his nostril win.

   Owen Almighty, the bay 4-year-old son of Speightstown, was placed second after a careful study of the photo-finish, earned $170,000.  He was 2 lengths ahead of Full Serrano (ARG), a 7-year-old horse, who garnered a $90,000 check.  Moonlight, a 5-year-old horse, was 3/4 length behind Full Serrano (ARG), and received $50,000 for his fourth-place effort.

   In fifth place was Coal Battle, who was paid $30,000; sixth was Lord Fons (JPN), who earned $20,000; seventh was Bracket Buster, who garnered $10,000; in eighth was T Kraft, receiving $10,000; ninth was Chunk of Gold, getting $10,000; and Iron Man Cal finished the field, also earning $10,000.

   Two dollar bets paid: win - $4.02; place - $5.74; show - $5.28; perfecta - $32.38; trifecta - $202.68; and the superfecta - $2,314.80.

  The Fillies and Mares Turf race had twelve entries after scratches, and was run over 1 3/16 miles for a purse of $2 million.  The entries ranged in age from 3 to 6 years, and Precise, the 3-year-old, carried 120 pounds while the other eleven ladies carried 124 pounds. Five of the ladies were bred in Ireland, four were bred in the US (Kentucky), two were bred in Great Britain, and one was bred in South Africa.  Eight are bays, and there are two each of  chestnuts and gray/roans.

   The winner was Kathynmarissa, a 5-year-old daughter of American Pharoah, who crossed the finish line in 1:53.75, and was 3/4 length in front of her closest rival.  She took home $1,040,000.  She was named after the two bankers who put together the financing for the owner to purchase the filly - Kathy and Marissa - who were in  the Winner's Circle after the race.

   Gimme a Nother (SAF) finished second, 3/4 of a length behind Kathynmarissa, and the 6-year-old mare earned $340,000 for her connections.  She was 1/2 length ahead of Jancis (IRE), who garnered $180,000 for her third place finish, a neck ahead of Expensive Queen (IRE), who earned $100,000.

   In fifth place was Bless the Broken, earning $60,000; sixth was Red Letter (GB), who received $40,000; seventh was Precise (IRE), getting a $20,000 paycheck; eighth was Vina Arana (IRE), earning $20,000; ninth was Classic Q, getting $20,000; in tenth was Stellify, with a $20,000 pay day.  In eleventh place was Blue Bolt (IRE), and twelfth was Lush Lips (GB).

   Payouts for a $2 bet were:  win - $13.24; place - $7.88; show - $9.86; perfecta - $84.48; trifecta - $1,256.80; superfecta - $22,397.40.

   The Sprint race was on the main dirt track with a purse of $2 million for a 6 furlong (3/4 mile) race.  All entries were male, ranging in age from 3 to 7 years, and 7 of the 13 entries were geldings.  The three 3-year-olds (Liam Smith, Stradale, and Englishman) carried 124 pounds, while the other ten entries carried 126 pounds in the race.  All entries were bred in the US; ten in Kentucky and three in Florida.  There were 9 bays, 3 chestnuts, and 1 gray/roan.

   T O Elvis was the winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint.  A 4-year-old bay son of Volatile, he won $1,040,000 in 1:08.20, finishing 1 and 1/4 lengths ahead of  his closest rivals (both 3-year-olds).  The photo below was taken near the end of the stretch, with T O Elvis pulling away.

  Englishman, the early betting favorite, finished in second, earning $340,000.  The 3-year-old son of Maxfield was 4 lengths ahead of the third-place colt, Liam Smith, who received $180,000.  A neck behind Liam Smith was Hymn, a 4-year-old gelding by McKinzie, who garnered $100,000.

   Stradale finished in fifth place, and received a $60,000 paycheck; in sixth was Built, who earned $40,000; seventh was Little Thunder, winning $20,000; eighth was Listenupshance, getting $20,000; ninth was Nakatomi, receiving $20,000; in tenth was Roll On Big Joe, who also got $20,000.  In eleventh place was Mad House; twelfth was American Stage; and Dark Saffron closed out the field.

   Two dollar bet payouts were:  win - $7.58; place - $2.62; show - $7.10; perfecta - $ 15.80; trifecta - $243.00; superfecta - $2,490.60.

   The Turf Mile had a purse of $2 million, and 13 entries.  Five of the entries were bred  in the United States, four in Kentucky and one in New York.  Three entries each were bred in Ireland and Great Britain, and two entries were bred in Japan.  This race also had weight limits for age and sex - there were 3 entries who carried lower weights.  Ten horses carried 126 pounds; True Love (IRE) a 3-year-old filly carried 120 pounds, and two 3-year-old colts, Ask Ikigomi (JPN) and Puerto Rico (IRE), carried 123 pounds.

   Deterministic, a bay 5-year-old son of Liam's Map, crossed the finish line in 1:34.52, 3/4 length ahead of his closest competitor, and taking home $1,040,000.  His jockey was/is Kendrick Carmouche, a Louisiana jockey, who has dreamed of winning a Breeders' Cup race ever since he started riding.  He received his first chance yesterday, and made his dream come true.  His only disappointment is that Determanistic is supposed to retire to stud after this race.  Both Mr. Carmouche and the racing team hope minds will be changed, and he will continue racing.

Photo by Mathea Kelley.

   Notable Speech (GB), a chestnut son of Dubawi (IRE) was in second, winning $340,000, and he was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Lake Forest (GB), by No Nay Never, who won $180,000 for his third place finish.  Facteur Cheval (IRE) finished fourth, one length behind Lake Forest, and receiving $100,000.

   Finishing in fifth place was Ask Ikigoma (JPN), earning $60,000; sixth was Rhetorical, taking home $40,000; seventh was Puerto Rico (IRE), banking $20,000; eighth was Brilliant Berti, garnering $20,000; ninth was True Love (IRE), with $20,000; and in tenth place was Formidable Man, earning $20,000.  Eleventh place went to Lugal (JPN); twelfth to Cabo Spirit; and Qirat (GB) finished the field.

   Betting windows paid out, for a $2 bet:  win - $12.10; place - $ 3.34; show - $ 4.14; perfecta - $29.30; trifecta - $124.72; superfecta - $1,404.00.

    The Breeders' Cup Distaff ended up with a short field of seven entries, racing 1 1/8 miles for a $2 million purse.  All seven ladies were bred in Kentucky. There were two 3-year-olds, who carried 121 pounds - Measure and Super Corredora; and the other ladies, aged 4 and 5, carried 124 pounds.  Six were bays and one was chestnut.  Two of the 4-year-olds, Eunomia and Fully Subscribed, have the same sire, Tiz the Law.

   Nitrogen, a 4-year-old filly by Medaglia d'Oro, won the Distaff by 2 lengths in 1:48.90, under the guidance of Jose Ortiz.  She is trained by Mark Casse, and took home $1,040,000 for her win.

   Fully Subscribed, who finished 2 lengths behind Nitrogen, finished 2 and 1/4 lengths ahead of Measure, and won $340,000.  Measure, a daughter of Essential Quality, crossed the line a neck ahead of Super Corredora, and garnered $180,000.  Super Corredora, in fourth, earned $100,000 for her effort.

   In fifth place was Regaled, who banked $60,000; in sixth was Eunomia, who received $40,000; and Immersive finished the field, earning $20,000.

   Payouts for a $2 bet were:  win - $3.58; place - $2.44; show - $4.00; perfecta - $6.18; trifecta - $31.20; superfecta - $200.20.

   The penultimate Breeders' Cup race for 2026 was the Turf.  The race covers 1 1/2 miles, and had a $5 million purse.  A full field of 14 horses competed - ranging from age 3, including 2 fillies, to the age of 8 years. With sex and age concessions, 5 equines carried less than the 126 pounds the other 9 horses carried.  They were: Johanna Walsh (IRE) and Diamond Necklace (IRE), 3-year-old fillies, with 119 pounds; Benvenuto Cellini (IRE), a 3-year-old colt, with 122 pounds; and Survie (IRE) and Tiffany (IRE), 5- and 6-year-old mares respectively, carrying 123 pounds.  Three of the entries were bred in Kentucky; eight were bred in Ireland; two were bred in Great Britain; and one was bred in Japan.  Three of the entries were geldings.  Thirteen of the entries were bays, with one chestnut - Benvenuto Cellini (IRE).  

   The winner of the Turf was the chestnut son of Frankel (GB) and Pearl Diamond (GER), Benvenuto Cellini (IRE), who broke from the number 2 post position, and won the race by 3/4 length in a time of 2:27.50.  His jockey is Ryan Moore, and his trainer is Aiden O'Brien. His purse winnings were $2,600,000.  (The photo is from the Irish Independent newspaper.)

   The second-place finisher was Map of Stars (GB), a 5-year-old gelding by Sea the Stars (IRE), who is on the left of the photo with the red-capped jockey.  He was second by 3/4 length, and he finished 3/4 length ahead of Diamond Necklace (IRE), earning $850,000.  Diamond Necklace (IRE), a 3-year-old filly by St Mark's Basilica (FR), was also 3/4 length in front of the fourth place finisher, Tiffany (IRE), a 6-year-old mare by Farhh (GB).  Diamond Necklace (IRE) earned $450,000; while Tiffany (IRE) took home $250,000.

   In fifth place was Survie (IRE), who received $150,000; sixth was Bay City Roller (IRE), who earned $100,000; seventh was Hotashell (GB), getting $50,000; eighth was Minaret Station, garnering $50,000; ninth was Ethical Diamond (IRE), who bankrolled $50,000; and in tenth was Johanna Walsh (IRE), putting $50,000 in the bank.  Finishing in the eleventh spot was Far Bridge; twelfth was Burnham Square; thirteenth was El Cordobes (IRE); and Deep Monster (JPN) finished the field in fourteenth.

   Payouts for a $2 betting ticket were:  win - $8.52; place - $30.80; show - $3.96; perfecta - $269.68; trifecta - $1,406.72; superfecta - $13,739.80.

   The final race of the 2026 Breeders' Cup was the Classic.  Run at "the classic" distance of the Kentucky Derby, 1 and 1/4 miles, this year's purse for the 7 contenders was $7 million.  Five of the horses were bred in Kentucky; two were bred in Japan.  Three of the colts are 3-year-olds and carried 122 pounds (The Puma, Golden Tempo, and Napoleon Solo); the 4 older horses carried 126 pounds.  There are five bays, one chestnut, and one gray/roan in the field. In this field were: the 2025 winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic, Forever Young (JPN); the 2025 Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty; the 2026 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, Golden Tempo; and the 2026 Preakness Stakes winner, Napoleon Solo.  This is the first time since 1991 when two Kentucky Derby winners raced each other in the Classic.  And Golden Tempo was trying to become only the 3rd Kentucky Derby winner to win the BC Classic the same year he won the Derby...

   Sovereignty won the Classic by 1 and 3/4 lengths in a time of 2:00.36.  He was scheduled to run in last year's Classic - and was the betting favorite at that time - but was running a fever the morning of the race, and had to be scratched.  Sovereignty ran, for the most part, in fifth place during the race, but at the 3/8ths pole, he picked up his pace, essentially on cruise control, according to his jockey, Junior Alvarado, and ran to the front, with The Puma following in his wake.  Both Bill Mott and his jockey were confident regarding the win.  Sovereignty increased his bank account by $3,640,000 yesterday.  Sovereignty will begin his career as a stallion in the breeding shed next year.  (Photo below is by Mathea Kelley.)

   The Puma, a chestnut son of Essential Quality, followed Sovereignty from the 3/8ths pole, but could not pass the winner.  He finished a half-length ahead of Knightsbridge, and earned $1,190,000 for his second place finish.  Knightsbridge, a bay son of Nyquist, finished in third place and took home $630,000.  He finished 3/4 length ahead of T O Password (JPN), a son of Copano Rickey (JPN), who earned $350,000.

   In fifth place was Forever Young (JPN), last year's winner of the Classic.  The 5-year-old jet-setting stallion won $210,000 in this race, to add to his $32+ million in earnings.  Sixth place belonged to Golden Tempo, who garnered $140,000.  Napoleon Solo, who finished in seventh place, earned $70,000.

   And that's my synopsis of this year's 43rd annual Breeders' Cup Championship Races.

   I hope and plan to blog much more in the coming years about a multitude of subjects - growing old and falling apart; caregiving for a loved one and Hospice care; living in a Senior community; histories of multiple places; personal perspectives of injuries and recovery; Colorado; Chincoteague Island, Virginia; genealogy research; etc., etc., etc......