Breeders’ Cup Sprint: Baffert, Garcia get win with Secret Circle

Trainer Bob Baffert found himself back in the overpopulated winner’s circle as Secret Circle came late to win the $1.5-million Breeders’ Cup Sprint by a neck. The six-furlong sprint is the shortest race in the Cup.

Secret Circle went off as the favorite with jockey Martin Garcia, who picked up his second Breeders’ Cup win of the day. He and Baffert previously won the Juvenile with New Year’s Day.

Secret Circle, a 4-year-old colt, paid $7, $4.80 and $3.60. Laugh Track, a strong second, returned $13.40 and $8.60 while Gentleman’s Bet paid $7.

“He’s an amazing horse,” said Jimmy Barnes, an assistant to Baffert. “If you look at his form you’ll see he’s only been beaten twice. He’s a big, strong, resilient horse and the way he had to run today, coming from out of it, is all the more amazing.”

Garcia saw the race in a more pragmatic way.

“My horse was outside and the whole field was inside of me,” Garcia said. “I took advantage from there because I knew I had the best horse. I saw the other horse [Laugh Track] coming up on the outside and my horse started messing around, but by then it was too late to beat me.”

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