Listenupshance Dominates Santa Anita Sprint Championship in Three-Horse Field
In a tightly contested Santa Anita Sprint Championship, Listenupshance emerged victorious, leading the race from its inception to cross the finish line first. This win, achieved in a remarkably small field of just three competitors, not only highlights the horse's exceptional speed and determination but also secured his automatic qualification for the prestigious Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race for which he had already received an invitation due to his prior success.
Listenupshance Clinches Santa Anita Sprint Championship Berth on September 27, 2026
On a warm Sunday afternoon, specifically September 27, 2026, the equestrian world turned its attention to Santa Anita Park, where the Grade 2, $184,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship unfolded. The event, unusually featuring only three contenders following several scratches, saw the four-year-old gelding, Listenupshance, deliver a commanding wire-to-wire performance. Breaking from post position one, Listenupshance, under the expert guidance of jockey Emisael Jaramillo, initially lagged slightly at the start but quickly asserted dominance. He surged past the initial front-runner, Maximum Bourbon, and March of Time within the first hundred yards, establishing a lead he would not relinquish. The early fractions of 21.98 seconds for the quarter-mile and 43.86 seconds for the half-mile were set by Listenupshance on a fast main track. Despite Maximum Bourbon's attempt to reclaim second place around the turn, Listenupshance maintained a robust advantage, completing five furlongs in 55.87 seconds. He ultimately crossed the finish line in a swift 1:08.70, securing a three-quarter-length victory. This crucial win earned Listenupshance a "win-and-you're-in" spot for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, scheduled for October 31 at Keeneland. Trained by Doug O'Neill for owners Craig Dado's Great Friends Racing and Adam Kugler's Run Fast Racing, Listenupshance's impressive showing, coupled with his prior victory in the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar, underscores his consistent excellence. Maximum Bourbon finished second, with March of Time, trained by Bob Baffert, trailing in third. The event was notably impacted by the scratches of five-year-old Imagination, due to an elevated temperature, and three-year-old Ahrens, a veterinarian scratch. Listenupshance, a son of Shancelot out of Hard Spun mare Listenupnow, boosted his career earnings to $558,570, boasting a record of 5 wins, 3 seconds, and 3 thirds from 14 starts. This edition marked the smallest field in the championship's history, a race that originated in 1983 as the Ancient Title Stakes, with the previous smallest field being four horses in 2000.
This event serves as a poignant reminder that even with a reduced field, the spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence in horse racing remain undiminished. Listenupshance's performance is not just a testament to his innate ability but also to the meticulous training and strategic jockeyship that propel these magnificent athletes to victory. It highlights how consistent performance and strategic planning can lead to significant achievements, reinforcing the unpredictable yet thrilling nature of equestrian sports.