The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is run around one turn at seven furlongs (about 1,500 yards) for the fastest females, 3-years-old and up.

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

The 2025 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint will be held at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Saturday, November 1. Bet & watch the race with OffTrackBetting.com (OTB) - US Legal Online Wagering.

Hope Road

Hope Road rarely puts a foot wrong, showing time and again that she belongs with the best female sprinters in the country.

Runner-up in two Del Mar sprints to launch her career, including a second behind the classy Tamara, the Bob Baffert-trained Hope Road finished 11th behind Tamara in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) to round out her juvenile campaign.

She returned to the races nine months later. Kicking off 2024 with a victory while negotiating 6 furlongs at Santa Anita in June, the Kentucky-bred won her next three starts, including the Aug. 31 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) and the Nov. 2 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) -- both at a mile -- at Del Mar with the latter coming on the Breeders' Cup undercard program. Facing Grade 1 company for the first time in the 7-furlong La Brea Stakes in December, Hope Road finished fourth, 5 ¼ lengths behind winner Kopion.

Having to play bridesmaid to Kopion over 7 furlongs in her first two starts of 2025 in Santa Anita's Santa Monica Stakes (G2) on Feb. 1 followed by a sloppy renewal of the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 3, the daughter of Quality Road finished third -- beaten 4 ¼ lengths -- while cutting back to 6 furlongs for the May 26 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) in her return to Louisville.

Favored for Saratoga's 7-furlong Ballerina Stakes (G1) on Aug. 23, the bay came from just off the pace to defeat Scylla by 2 lengths, earning an automatic berth to the PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar in November.

Campaigned by her breeder Cicero Farms, the 4-year-old filly is the first foal out of Marley's Freedom (by Blame), the 2018 winner of the Ballerina Stakes. Hope Road was a $575,000 RNA at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale in 2022.

Haulin Ice

Haulin Ice had a good year in 2024, winning half of her 10 starts, including Gulfstream Park's 7-furlong Azalea Stakes over the summer. However, the gray filly has enjoyed an even better year so far in 2025 while under the guidance of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Fifth in her 4-year-old debut in Gulfstream's Inside Information Stakes (G2) on Jan. 25, the Arkansas-bred blasted home a 6-length winner while facing state-breds in Oaklawn's Downthedustyroad Breeders' Stakes on March 1 and made it two straight in open company in a muddy renewal of the 6-furlong Matron Stakes (Listed) at the Hot Springs oval March 29.

Trying 6 ½ furlongs for her next two, she eked out a neck win over R Disaster in the Vagrancy (G3) at Aqueduct in May before keeping her win streak alive as the heavy favorite when beating Vincey Girl by 3 ¼ lengths in Gulfstream's Musical Romance Handicap on June 22. Once again favored in the 7-furlong Sheer Drama Stakes at the Hallandale track on Aug. 16, Haulin Ice had the tables turned on her when 7-2 chance Vincey Girl handed her a 3 ¾-length defeat.

Sent off the 5-2 second choice in the Sept. 20 Princess Rooney (G3), a "Win and You're in" to the PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1, the daughter of Coal Front went wire-to-wire to score by 4 ¾ lengths in the 7-furlong test for fillies and mares.

Bred in Arkansas by Eugenia Thompson-Benight, Haulin Ice is the first foal out of the unraced mare She's Smoke, by Half Ours.

Kopion

From her very first start, it was clear that Kopion was something special. In her only start at 2, the Richard Mandella-trained filly was sent off as the 3-10 favorite and she came home a 3 ¾-length winner going 6 ½ furlongs at Del Mar in November 2023.

Dusted off and brought back in the Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) six weeks later, the chestnut drew off to a commanding 5 ¾-length score in Santa Anita's 7-furlong test. Second to the highly regarded Kinza in the 1-mile Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) the following month, Kopion was a distant fourth behind Nothing Like You and runner-up Kinza in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Anita Oaks (G2) in April.

Shelved through most of the remainder of her 3-year-old season, Kopion was overlooked at 37-1 odds when returning in Santa Anita's La Brea Stakes (G1) while going 7 furlongs in late December and she proved up to the task, winning by 2 ¾ lengths. Showing her affinity for the 7-furlong distance, she followed up with a 4 1/2-length score over Hope Road in the Santa Monica Stakes (G2) in February before making it three straight when defeating Hope Road and race favorite Ways and Means in the sloppy renewal of the Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) on May 3.

Heavily favored to keep the streak alive in the Great Lady M Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos on July 5, Kopion finished second by 1 1/2 lengths to Grade 1 winner Sweet Azteca, who set a track record in the 6 ½-furlong race.

A $270,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase in 2022, Kopion is campaigned by Spendthrift Farm, who also stands Kopion's sire, Omaha Beach. The Kentucky-bred filly, a fourth-generation homebred, was bred by two-time Sovereign Award-winning breeder Ivan Dalos, founder of Tall Oaks Farm. Kopion's dam, unraced Galloping Ami, won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Broodmare in 2016, the year she was represented by graded stakes winners Ami's Flatter and Amis Gizmo, also named Canada's champion 3-year-old colt.

Richi (CHI)

A two-time Grade 1 winner in Chile, Richi (CHI) rounded out her Southern Hemisphere tenure as the Champion 2-year-old Filly of the 2023 season.

Turned over to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert for her 3-year-old campaign, the dark bay was runner-up behind Chimosa in her U.S. debut -- also her sole start of 2024 -- in the 6-furlong Desert Stormer Stakes (Listed) at Santa Anita. Returning as a 4-year-old, she won the Las Flores Stakes (G3) going 6 furlongs in January before finishing third behind Kopion in the Santa Monica Stakes (G2) over 7 furlongs the following month.

Stretching out for the Beholder Mile (G1) in March, Richi led for most of the way before being caught in the final jumps by her favored stablemate Cavalieri, who finished three-quarters of a length ahead of the 3-1 second choice. Returning to Santa Anita for the 8 ½-furlong Santa Maria Stakes (G2) on April 19, she went wire-to-wire when beating subsequent stakes winner Splendora by 4 ½ lengths.

Stepping into top-level company for Del Mar's Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) -- a "Win and You're In" for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) -- Richicame home 5 lengths behind winner Seismic Beauty and had to play the bridesmaid to Cavalieri yet again in another Distaff qualifier, the 1 1/16-mile Zenyatta Stakes (G2) on Sept. 28.

Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc., led by John Sikura, acquired a half-interest in Richi in 2024, before she was brought to the United States. Richi is co-owned in partnership with Stud Vendaval.

Bred by Haras Paso Nevado, the daughter of Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Practical Joke is out of the Scat Daddy mare, Rich Baby (CHI), Group 2-placed in Chile.

Vahva

Not generally known for a lot of flash, the hard-knocking Vahva has proven a model of resiliency over four seasons on the racetrack. Stakes-placed at 2, the bay won a trio of races at 3, including the Charles Town Oaks (G3) and Raven Run Stakes (G2), giving trainer Cherie DeVaux her first career stakes victory at Keeneland in the latter.

Finding a home facing graded stakes company at 4, Vahva was a half-length back in second behind favored Alva Starr in the Madison Stakes (G1) in April at Keeneland before reeling off two straight victories in the Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) in May and the Chicago Stakes (G3) in June, both at Churchill Downs.

Third behind Society and Scylla as the even-money choice in Saratoga's Ballerina Handicap (G1) last August, Vahva was given some support at the window at odds of 7-2 in the PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar in November, however, she never got into the mix of things and had to settle for eighth, beaten 7 ½ lengths by ultimate Eclipse Award-winning Champion Female Sprinter Soul of an Angel.

Kicking off her 5-year-old season in May, Vahva never seemed to get the feel for the sloppy going while attempting to defend her title in Churchill's Derby City Distaff, finishing a well-beaten seventh to Kopion that day. However, the gritty mare bounced back to win her second consecutive renewal of the Chicago at Churchill Downs on June 21. Her most recent victory marked the mare's fifth win in six career attempts beneath the Twin Spires.

Vahva was back in action Aug. 22 with a return trip to Charles Town for the 7-furlong Pink Ribbon Stakes. On this night, she bobbled at the start and finished second 3 lengths behind loose on the lead winner Mystic Lake.

Back at Keeneland for the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) going 6 furlongs on Oct. 4, Vahva was prominent throughout but outfinished by a half-length by Praying for first money.

Bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC, Vahva is by Gun Runner, who is represented by a bevy of talented runners, including last season's Champion 3-year-old Male and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) hero Sierra Leone and this year's Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Locked. Vahva's stakes-winning dam, Holiday Soiree, finished third in the 2013 renewal of the Humana Distaff (G1), a race that Vahva won in 2024.

Vahva was sold by her breeder for $280,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2021. The 5-year-old is campaigned by a partnership including Belladonna Racing LLC, Lynne and Edward J. Hudson Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, William S. Farish, LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock.

Sweet Azteca

A debut winner for trainer Michael McCarthy at Churchill Downs in her sole start at 3, Sweet Azteca kicked off her 4-year-old season with a third-place finish behind Chimosa and Hot Peppers in the 6-furlong Las Flores Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita in January. Facing allowance optional claimers in a 6-furlong test back in Arcadia the following month, she ran off a much-the-best 12-length winner.

Installed the second choice behind three-time Grade 1 winner Adare Manor in the Beholder Mile (G1) in March, she bested the favorite by three-quarters of a length to gain her first black-type success. Cut back in trip for the Great Lady M Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos last summer, the gray once again proved too good for her competition, scoring by 5 lengths under Juan Hernandez while establishing a stakes record of 1:14.33 for 6 ½ furlongs.

Accompanied by Flavien Prat in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar in August, the Kentucky bred went to the front early and never looked back, cruising home a 7-length winner. Pounded down to 1-10 favoritism while reuniting with Hernandez in Santa Anita's Chillingworth Stakes (G3) in October, Sweet Azteca battled with 7-2 second choice One Magic Philly in the early going of the 6 ½-furlong contest, but faded late to finish last of four, beaten 8 ¾ lengths.

Given plenty of time for her return and now trained by Richard Baltas, she was installed the 7-2 second choice behind Kopion while trying to defend her title in the July 5 Great Lady M, and she looked like her old self, wiring the field and defeating the 1-5 favorite by 1 ½ lengths at the wire. In victory, she bettered her previous stakes mark winning in 1:14.32.

On Aug. 24, Sweet Azteca successfully defended her title in the Rancho Bernarado and remained perfect at Del Mar in taking the 6 1/2-furlong test by 3 1/2 lengths over Formula Rossa. Sweet Azteca and Formula Rossa dueled through fast early fractions before Sweet Azteca took control at the top of the stretch and cruised to the finish geared down by Juan Hernandez.

Sweet Azteca is a daughter of 2017 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) Sharp Azteca, who stands at Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan.

Sweet Azteca, a third generation homebred for Pamela Cee Ziebarth, is out of the Grand Slam mare So Sweetitiz, herself a two-time stakes winner for Ziebarth. The filly's fourth dam, Cee's Song, by Seattle Song, was raced by Ziebath's late mother Cecilia Straub Rubens and developed into a prolific broodmare, producing Horse of the Year and dual Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) hero Tiznow and multiple graded stakes winner Budroyale -- both full-brothers to Sweet Azteca's third dam Tizsweet.

Splendora

Bred by attorney Stuart Grant's The Elkstone Group, Splendora was purchased by Michael Talla's Talla Racing for $125,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Splendora was second behind her stablemate Kinza, a subsequent two-time graded stakes winner, in a 6-furlong Santa Anita maiden test in late December of her 2-year-old season.

On the sidelines for most of her 3-year-old campaign, she returned in the fall with two wins at 6 ½ furlong, including a 5 ½-length score at Del Mar in November, and followed up with a second-place finish behind Kopion in the La Brea Stakes (G1) in December.

In 2025, the Maryland-bred was fourth in the 7-furlong Santa Monica Stakes (G2) in February before finishing runner-up in her next two starts at Santa Anita in the 8 ½-furlong Santa Maria Stakes (G2) on April 19 and the Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) at 9 furlongs on May 25.

Returning to Del Mar for a 6-furlong allowance optional claimer in July, Splendora proved much-the-best when winning by 3 ½ lengths and made it two-straight with a 5 ½-length victory over One Magic Philly in the 1-mile Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 1.

By Florida Derby (G1) winner Audible, Splendora is out of Frost Giant's stakes-winning Miss Freeze.

Majestic Oops

One-time claimer Majestic Oops has enjoyed her best season thus far in 2025, collecting her first taste of black-type success this year.

Runner-up in a 6-furlong starter allowance at Oaklawn in January, the 5-year-old was fifth stretching out to 1 1/16 miles facing allowance company in Hot Springs on Feb. 1 before coming up a neck short at odds of 24-1 in Oaklawn's Trivista Overnight Stakes on Feb. 23.

A winner of her next two of three starts at that venue, including the 1-mile Dig a Diamond Stakes on April 26, the bay mare made it three straight for trainer Dan Ward in a sloppy renewal of the Lady's Secret Stakes (Listed) at Monmouth Park June 14.

Facing Grade I winner Randomized in the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) when returning to the Oceanport track July 19, Majestic Oops finished second, beaten 3 lengths by the race favorite.

Cutting back to 7 furlongs while trying Grade 1 company for the first time in her career in Saratoga's Ballerina Stakes on Aug. 23, the California bred finished third, 6 lengths behind winner Hope Road in the "Win and You're In" event for the PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.

Bred by William and Sandy Dory and Gary and Janet Kropp, Majestic Oops is by the late Grade 1 winner Majestic Harbor and out of Miss Oops (by Olmodavor).

Tamara

Tamara got off to a fast start for Spendthrift Farm and trainer Richard Mandella when defeating Hope Road by 2 ¼ lengths in a 6 ½-furlong Del Mar maiden race in August of her 2-year-old year and made it two straight with an emphatic 6 ¾-length score in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) over 7 furlongs in September. Favored on Breeders' Cup Day, she failed to show her best, finishing seventh behind winner and ultimate champion juvenile filly, Just F Y I.

On the sidelines for the next 12 months, the bay was nosed out by another Spendthrift-bred filly, Sandy Bottom, in a 6-furlong allowance optional claimer at Del Mar in November and was once again shelved after that effort.

Making her first start back following an 11-month hiatus, Tamara came from off the pace to win by 3 ¾ lengths in the 6 ½-furlong Chillingworth Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita on Oct. 4.

Tamara, a product of Spendthrift Farm breeding through and through, is a daughter of resident stallion Bolt d'Oro and out of four-time champion Beholder, who during her own racing career, won eight Grade 1 races for Spendthrift and Mandella, including the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and two editions of the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) (2013 & 2016).

The Henny Hughes-sired champion also has strong ties to another Spendthrift resident, Into Mischief, who is her half-brother by Harlan's Holiday. Offering further Breeders' Cup implications to the immediate family, Mendelssohn, a half-brother to the illustrious duo by Scat Daddy, won the 2017 renewal of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar.

The four-legged Tamara is named after Tamara Gustavson, the daughter of late Spendthrift Farm owner, B. Wayne Hughes. She and her husband, Eric Gustavson, currently own Spendthrift Farm.

Fee Blanche (JPN)

** coming soon **

Praying

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Zeitlos

** coming soon **

What is the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint?

The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is a 7-furlong (1408 m) Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred fillies and mares three years old and up. As its name implies, it is a part of the Breeders' Cup thoroughbred championships, the de facto year-end championship for North American thoroughbred racing, generally held in the United States (also held one time in Canada). The race is run on a dirt course (either natural dirt or a synthetic surface such as Polytrack).

The race was run for the first time in 2007 during the first day of the expanded Breeders' Cup at that year's host track, Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. Beginning in 2009, this race is a Grade I event.

The 2007 race was held at a distance of 6 furlongs (1207 m) instead of the normal distance of 7 furlongs because of the configuration of the dirt track at Monmouth Park.

2025 BREEDERS' CUP RACE SCHEDULE