Updated on: October 3rd, 2024
The Breeders’ Cup Sprint is a graded stakes thoroughbred horse race dirt race spanning ¾ of a mile for horses three years and older. It is one of the races that launched with the World Championships in 1984 and carries a massive $2,000,000 purse.
Betting on the Breeders’ Cup Sprint is very popular. Find out how you can bet on this famous event below. We have created a guide that explains all you need to know about betting on this race, including bet types, betting tips, and where to find odds.
Bet on the Breeders’ Cup
Breeders’ Cup Sprint Links
- Bet on the Breeders’ Cup
- How to Bet on the Breeders’ Cup Sprint
- Sprint Betting Tips
- Odds for the Breeder’s Cup Sprint Race
How to Bet on the Breeders’ Cup Sprints
Generally, all horse races have the same standard list of bets. The Breeders’ Cup is no different unless you are interested in some of the unique multi-event bets. (But for that, we refer you to our main Breeders’ Cup guide.)
Standard Bets
- Win – a bet on a horse to win the Sprint.
- Place – a bet on a horse to come either first or second in the Sprint.
- Show – a bet on a horse to come first, second or third in the Sprint. (This bet usually has much lower odds than the other two bets.)
Exotic Bets
- Quinella – a bet on two horses to win and place in the Sprint in any order.
- Exacta – a bet on two horses to win and place in the Sprint in the order you predicted.
- Trifecta – a bet on three horses to win, place, and show in the order that you predicted.
- Boxed Bets – placing multiple different exactas and trifectas on the Sprint in the hopes that one bet wins. (Be mindful not to spend more than you could potentially earn here.)
Sprint Betting Tips
Betting on the ponies can be difficult. So, here are some tips on things to consider when betting on the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. These tips will help you start thinking like a horse racing expert:
Three-Year-Olds and Six-Year Olds Rarely Win
The Sprint has been an active race in the Breeders’ Cup for nearly 40 years now, and a three-year-old has won on nine occasions. Generally, we recommend looking at horses with slightly more racing experience.
But don’t look at ancient horses either. Although some seven-year-olds have won the Sprint, this event is mostly dominated by four- and five-year-olds.
Repeat Winners (Horse) Aren’t Common
In some horse races, it is common to see a horse win a race back-to-back. However, this is not true in the Sprint. Only two horses have won the races twice: Midnight Lute in 2007 and 2008 and then Roy H in 2017 and 2018.
The opposite is true for trainers and jockeys. There are several repeat jockey and trainer winners. Bob Baffert has the most trainer wins (5), and Corey Nakatani has the most jockey wins (4).
Look at Horses with Solid 1.125 Mile Times
There are several dirt races at the Breeders’ Cup, all of the varying lengths. The Sprint is the shortest of the list and really requires speed and stamina from competitors. It has been found that horses that compete well in the 1 and 1/8 mile race also tend to do well in the Sprint.
So, have a look at all the events of a similar length leading up to the race.
Avoid Betting on Horses That Have Recently Beaten Their Personal Bests
Horse racing history says to avoid a horse that achieved its lifetime highest in its final prep race. Often betting on these horses is a bad idea as they never really do well.
A horse may have posted a great time at Del Mar or Belmont Park, but this doesn’t mean that the horse will win in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. After all, Sprint competitors aren’t usually American Horse of the Year winners (many don’t even compete in the Kentucky Derby), so this race’s results are a little more unpredictable.
Odds for the Breeder’s Cup Sprint Race
Here are some of the most recent odds for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Sprint race. Since odds are continually updated, keep visiting sportsbooks for the latest odds.
If you are looking for a sportsbook for the best odds on Breeders’ Cup races, we suggest that you visit one of the sites we have recommended above. Bovada has got some excellent prices on all the races and even allows you to ask for specialized odds for unique bets.
Name | Horse | Odds |
10 | Yaupon | 300 |
14 | Vekoma | 300 |
2 | CZ Rocket | 500 |
11 | Diamond Oops | 750 |
8 | Firenze Fire | 900 |
6 | Frank’s Rockette | 1400 |
3 | Collusion Illusion | 2000 |
7 | Whitmore | 2000 |
1 | Echo Town | 2500 |
4 | Bon Raison | 3300 |
9 | Empire of Gold | 3300 |
13 | Jasper Prince | 4000 |
5 | Manny Wah | 4000 |
12 | Hog Creek Hustle | 5000 |