Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing’s Kentucky-bred Shisospicy led all the way to post a 2 ½-length win in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.
Trained by Jose D’Angelo and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Shisospicy ran her rivals off their feet. In proving uncatchable, she stopped the clock in :55.24 for the five-furlong turf fixture. It was the first Breeders’ Cup win for D’Angelo and the 22nd for Ortiz.
“I knew that she was going to explode today with her speed,” noted D’Angelo. “And it worked out perfectly. With her speed, I just trained her for the race.”
Ortiz added, “The plan was to let her be where she wanted to be. She broke so good, and after that, it made everything easier. I had a lot of horse turning for home and never felt anyone was close to me. I kept waiting and no one was able to get close. That was the key.”
Shisospicy was challenged early by Invincible Papa (AUS) with Ag Bullet tracking a close third. The winner, however, maintained a daylight lead through the turn. She opened up in the stretch and was not challenged in the run to the wire.
The victory was worth $520,000 and improved Shisospicy’s bankroll to $2,090,270. Her record now stands at 9-6-1-1 and includes three graded stakes victories. Shisospicy is a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Mitole out of the Into Mischief mare Mischief Galore. She was bred in Kentucky by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt.