History's Top 10 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint performances

The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) enjoyed its inaugural running in 2007. In the years since, the seven-furlong race has been a proving ground for the fleetest female racehorses in North America.

On Nov. 5 at Keeneland, the Filly & Mare Sprint will be contested for the 15th time. In advance of this milestone renewal, let’s look back through history and rank the Top 10 best performances seen in the Filly & Mare Sprint:

10. Judy the Beauty (2014)

After finishing a close second in the 2013 Filly & Mare Sprint, Judy the Beauty went one better in 2014. Producing a perfectly timed rally from midfield, Judy the Beauty took command at the eighth pole and held off a charge from deep closer Better Lucky to score by a head in 1:21.92.

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9. Wavell Avenue (2015)

The early pace of the 2015 Filly & Mare Sprint wasn’t blazing, and the two pacesetters stayed on strongly down the lane to finish second and third. They would have run 1-2 if not for the powerful rally of Wavell Avenue, who overcame the modest tempo to close from four lengths back at the eighth pole to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

8. Informed Decision (2009)

Reigning Filly & Mare Sprint winner Ventura was heavily favored to defend her title in 2009, but a tenacious performance from Informed Decision stole the show. After tracking a modest early pace, Informed Decision sprinted her final furlong in a quick :12.00 to hold off Ventura’s fierce charge and prevail by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:21.66.

7. Covfefe (2019)

After the three-year-old filly Covfefe put away her pace rivals in the 2019 Filly & Mare Sprint, she had to dig deep to turn back a challenge from three-time Grade 1 winner Bellafina. This Covfefe did by three-quarters of a length, and the strength of her effort was indicated by the fact Bellafina finished 7 3/4 lengths clear of the rest.

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6. Ce Ce (2021)

A small but talented field lined up for the 2021 Filly & Mare Sprint, including defending winner Gamine. But no one could match strides with Ce Ce down the homestretch, as the accomplished multi-Grade 1 winner rallied to lead through six furlongs in 1:08.66 and ultimately won by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:21.00.

5. Dubai Majesty (2010)

The quality of competition Dubai Majesty defeated in the 2010 Filly & Mare Sprint was stellar. Even while squaring off against reigning Filly & Mare Sprint winner Informed Decision and Grade 1 winners like Switch, Evening Jewel, and Champagne d’Oro, Dubai Majesty drove home on top by 2 1/4 lengths.

4. Groupie Doll (2013)

In 2013, Groupie Doll became the only two-time winner of the Filly & Mare Sprint, and she did so in impressive fashion. After settling in seventh place through an opening quarter-mile in :22.19, Groupie Doll accelerated her second quarter-mile in about :21 3/5 to challenge for command. Opening up a two-length lead in midstretch, Groupie Doll began to weaken late, but held on to beat 2014 Filly & Mare Sprint winner Judy the Beauty by half a length in 1:20.75.

3. Groupie Doll (2012)

Groupie Doll’s first Filly & Mare Sprint triumph was a picture of dominance. Rallying wide from midfield, Groupie Doll took command in the homestretch and relentlessly pulled away through a strong final furlong in :12.27 to score by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:20.72, the third-fastest Filly & Mare Sprint contested over seven furlongs.

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2. Ventura (2008)

The stakes record for the Filly & Mare Sprint (excluding one six-furlong edition) belongs to Ventura. Racing over a fast-playing synthetic track at Santa Anita, Ventura launched a sweeping rally from behind fast fractions, closing from 9 1/2 lengths off the pace to beat reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Indian Blessing by four lengths in 1:19.90.

1. Gamine (2020)

In 2020, the brilliant three-year-old Gamine ran the fastest Filly & Mare Sprint ever contested over seven furlongs on dirt. After pushing Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress through intense fractions of :21.77 and :44.27, Gamine took command through a blazing six furlongs in 1:07.98 before pulling away effortlessly to win by 6 1/4 lengths in 1:20.20.