Glass Slippers sparkles for Tom Eaves and Kevin Ryan in Turf Sprint

Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves created a slice of Breeders' Cup history when Glass Slippers became the first European winner of the Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Saturday.

Diabolical's second for Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin in the inaugural running of the race in 2008 was the best the European raiders had managed, but Glass Slippers put that right with a powerful display.

In doing so the filly was bridging a 29-year gap to Sheikh Albadou, the only European winner of any all-aged sprint at the Breeders' Cup, who landed the Sprint on dirt at Churchill Downs for Pat Eddery and trainer Alex Scott in 1991.

Her credentials for the job at hand were not in doubt by way of her top-level triumphs in the Prix de l'Abbaye last year and September's Flying Five at the Curragh, but the stats suggested she might find things difficult in the $1 million Grade 1.

That, to some, may have appeared the case early on when she was positioned off the pace, but she picked up strongly in the colours of her breeders Bearstone Stud and won by half a length from Wet Your Whistle with Leinster third.

"It's amazing and she's a star," said Eaves, breaking his Breeders' Cup duck. "It was a brilliant performance by Kevin, who brought her along all year and thanks to the owners for keeping me on her out here – it's a day I'll never forget.

"Kevin knows his horses like the back of his hand and told me the other day he couldn't be happier with her – she was in great form.

"It's brilliant and some effort; there are so many people involved keeping her right. It's a big thank you and well done to everyone."

Tom Eaves celebrates a huge win on Glass SlippersCredit: Alex Evers

Paddy Power quoted Glass Slippers at 14-1 for the King's Stand at Royal Ascot – a race in which she was only fifth this summer, but the daughter of Dream Ahead excels in the second half of the season.

Ryan, who saddled East to be second in the Juvenile Fillies Turf two years ago, can, like Eaves, say he is now a Breeders' Cup winner.

"She's a filly who thrives later in the year and travels well," said the North Yorkshire-based trainer. "I know she's never been this far but when she goes to France she seems to thrive and eats well.

"As the week went on, we got happier and happier with her. Tom gave her a perfect ride; I think he got a bit of advice from Ryan Moore, so thanks to Ryan.

"This is what we do the job for and I'm very lucky to have some good horses, while this filly is very special. I'd like to thank the Breeders' Cup who have been fantastic all week with the hospitality."

Turf Sprint result

'The fastest filly I've ever trained' – Baffert lauds Gamine after Filly & Mare Sprint win

Bob Baffert has endured a difficult year, but the most famous name in US training was back doing what he does best on Saturday, winning a Breeders' Cup race with the impressive Gamine, who produced a blistering display to win the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Baffert has come under scrutiny in 2020 after some of his string produced positive tests for banned substances but this week he stressed the steps he would take to prevent further indiscretions.

Gamine has not escaped the controversy, testing positive after running at Oaklawn Park in May and in September's Kentucky Oaks, but Baffert was able to smile at Keeneland on Saturday when she destroyed her rivals in a sensational time under John Velazquez.

It was a 16th Breeders' Cup winner for the Hall of Fame trainer – only Wayne Lukas has more – and he said: "I'm so proud and happy for this filly after what she'd had to endure this year, but she showed today that she is the baddest in the land going one turn and she proved it.

"We knew Serengeti Empress would get the lead but if John could get outside of her, then Gamine was training the best she's ever trained."

Gamine: an impressive Breeders' Cup winner on SaturdayCredit: John Voorhees

The trainer added: "We know one turn is her game and it was spectacular – she's the fastest filly I've ever trained, she's brilliant and her owner Michael Lund Petersen stood behind me the whole time. He never wavered and he knows all that's been happening was BS stuff and stupid contamination. I'm proud he's with me and he's got bragging rights now."

A three-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, Gamine was dropping to seven furlongs from four further in the Kentucky Oaks and she was able to pick up and dismiss Serengeti Empress – the winner of that race last year – in style.

Filly & Mare Sprint result

Whitmore wins – at last

Never mind third-time lucky, golden oldie Whitmore won the Breeders' Cup Sprint on his fourth appearance in the race.

The seven-year-old was eighth in the Del Mar edition in 2017, second 12 months later at Churchill Downs and third at Santa Anita a year ago.

The success clearly meant a huge amount to trainer Ron Moquett, who was last year diagnosed with atypical sarcoidosis, an auto-immune disease that affects the lungs and can make breathing difficult.

He named the horse after childhood pal Wilbur Whitmore, a crack American football player when the pair were at high school in Oklahoma.

"We hoped his experience would pay off," an emotional Moquett said. "There were some talented horses in this with impressive resumes, but we were happy with our horse. We're proud and he just wants it."

Red-hot Cox run continues

Brad Cox, who enjoyed a glorious Breeders' Cup brace on Friday, recorded another winner on Saturday when Knicks Go landed the Dirt Mile.

Joel Rosario, who won the Juvenile Fillies 24 hours earlier on Vequist, did the steering on Knicks Go, whose trainer was on the mark the previous day with Aunt Pearl (Juvenile Fillies Turf) and Essential Quality (Juvenile).

Cox said: "This horse is very fast and loves Keeneland. Joel did a fantastic job, asking him to be forwardly placed. They went very quick and he was able to keep going, but it was a good race for him, with the short stretch.

"There were a lot of things in his favour. We had a setback with him and he's an aggressive horse who likes to train, so we've let him do his thing. He's very strong, and very fast."

Things got even better for Cox when the prolific Monomoy Girl repeated her 2018 strike in the Distaff, outclassing her rivals to win with something in hand.

"She's a champion," Cox said. "I thought she was better than she's ever been and I think she proved that. She's a tremendous filly.

"I never get too excited until they cross the wire and I'm very fortunate to be part of her."

Dirt Mile result

Distaff result

Read more of our Breeders' Cup content here:

Kentucky Derby hero Authentic gives Bob Baffert a fourth Breeders' Cup Classic

Dermot Weld celebrates first Breeders' Cup success with Turf heroine Tarnawa

Outsider Order Of Australia leads home 1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien in Mile

First time lucky: James Fanshawe strikes with maiden runner at Breeders' Cup

'He's amazing' – Wesley Ward heaps praise on Turf Sprint winner Golden Pal

In pictures: photographer Edward Whitaker's love affair with the Breeders' Cup

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