November 2, 2025 / Last Updated: November 2, 2025
On November 2, 2025, at Del Mar Racetrack, Bentornato, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., won the 42nd Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1, Dirt 1200m) with a wire-to-wire victory. The horse brilliantly avenged last year’s second-place finish to claim its first G1 title. American Stage, from Japan’s Yoshito Yahagi stable and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, also put up a strong fight, holding on from a forward position to finish a commendable 4th.
Key Points of this Article
- Winner: Bentornato, achieving a brilliant redemption victory after finishing 2nd last year.
- Japan’s American Stage showed tenacity from a forward position to secure a strong 4th place finish.
- Imagination finished 2nd, with Dr. Venkman in 3rd.
- The winning time was a swift 1:08.20 (provisional).
2025 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Race Results
The official results for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) held at Del Mar Racetrack on November 2, 2025, are as follows.
| Position | No. | Horse Name | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | Bentornato | I. Ortiz Jr. |
| 2nd | 7 | Imagination | J. Hernandez |
| 3rd | 6 | Dr. Venkman | U. Rispoli |
| 4th | 9 | American Stage | R. Sakai |
Race Recap and Highlights
From an even break, Japan’s American Stage got off to a good start and joined the leading group. From the inside, No. 10 Bentornato, No. 12 Straight No Chaser, and No. 13 Mad House vied for the lead, setting the pace.
Bentornato took the lead before the final turn and headed into the stretch. American Stage on the inside and defending champion Straight No Chaser fought back, but Imagination and then Dr. Venkman mounted a fierce challenge from the outside. However, Bentornato’s stamina never faded, and he crossed the finish line first, securing a magnificent wire-to-wire victory.
In a high-speed race with a winning time of 1:08.20 (provisional), Bentornato’s strength shone through as he avenged last year’s second-place finish.
Japan’s American Stage: A Valiant 4th Against World-Class Competition
American Stage, from the Yoshito Yahagi stable and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, challenged the world’s top sprinters. Before the race, trainer Yahagi commented, “We are up against some very fast American sprinters,” but added with anticipation, “Since his sire is Into Mischief, I think the dirt here will suit him.”
Living up to those expectations, the horse secured a good position in third on the inside rail. He showed tenacity down the stretch, finishing just behind the winner in 4th place. This performance was a new best for a Japanese-trained horse, surpassing Matera Sky’s 5th place finish, and demonstrated the high level of Japan’s sprinting ability to the world.
Post-Race Comments
Winning Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
“I’m very happy. The horse ran great for me. We didn’t get the chance last year, but this year everything went his way. I had no worries during the race. He’s a horse with amazing ability and heart.”
Winning Trainer: Jose D’Angelo
“I’m so happy to be able to avenge last year’s defeat. I want to thank all the owners. I was watching the stretch with confidence. I believed he would show a great turn of foot when the jockey gave the signal. Just coming to the Breeders’ Cup was a dream, but winning two races… it’s a dream come true.”
Full Entrant List
| Gate | No. | Horse Name | Sex/Age | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Kopion | F4 | 56.0 | M. Smith | R. Mandella |
| 2 | 2 | Banishing | G5 | 57.0 | J. Gaffalione | B. Summers |
| 3 | 3 | Lovesick Blues | G7 | 57.0 | J. Franco | S. Barocio |
| 4 | 4 | Patriot Spirit | C4 | 57.0 | J. Castellano | T. Campbell |
| 5 | 5 | Big City Lights | C6 | 57.0 | K. Kimura | R. Mandella |
| 6 | 6 | Dr. Venkman | G5 | 57.0 | U. Rispoli | M. Glatt |
| 7 | 7 | Imagination | C4 | 57.0 | J. Hernandez | B. Baffert |
| 8 | 8 | Nakatomi | G6 | 57.0 | T. Ortiz | W. Ward |
| 9 | 9 | American Stage | C3 | 56.0 | R. Sakai | Y. Yahagi |
| 10 | 10 | Bentornato | C4 | 57.0 | I. Ortiz Jr. | J. D’Angelo |
| 11 | 11 | Mullikin | C5 | 57.0 | F. Prat | B. Brisset |
| 12 | 12 | Straight No Chaser | C6 | 57.0 | J. Velazquez | J. Blacker |
| 13 | 13 | Mad House | G3 | 56.0 | L. Saez | J. Winkley |
| 14 | 14 | Whatchatalkinabout | G4 | 57.0 | J. Jaramillo | W. Ward |
| 15 | 15 | Valiant Force | C4 | 57.0 | D. Egan | A. Murray |
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of race is the Breeders’ Cup Sprint?
It is the championship race for the dirt sprint division, held as part of the “Breeders’ Cup,” the pinnacle of American horse racing. Each year, top-class sprinters from around the world gather to compete for speed over a distance of approximately 1200m (6 furlongs).What was the best previous result for a Japanese horse?
The previous best finish for a Japanese-trained horse was 5th place, achieved by Matera Sky at the 2021 Del Mar meet. American Stage’s 4th place finish this time is a fantastic result, setting a new best for a Japanese-trained horse in this race.
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