Breeders' Cup Sprint: Maximum Bourbon will not race, trainer says

ARCADIA, Calif. - Maximum Bourbon, second in two leading sprint stakes in California in recent months, will not start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

“We’ll give him a good break,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “He’s run so hard.”

Maximum Bourbon was beaten a nose by Listenupshance in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar on July 25, and was beaten three-quarters of a length by LIstenupshance in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Sept. 27 as the 7-10 favorite.

A 4-year-old gelding by Maximum Security, Maximum Bourbon won the $197,500 St. Matthews Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths at six furlongs at Churchill Downs on April 30 in his first start for D’Amato.

Maximum Bourbon is owned by Agave Racing Stable, Rockin Robin Racing Stable and Evan Trommer, and was purchased for $400,000 at a Fasig-Tipton digital sale in March as the most expensive hip of the auction.

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“I may have run him once too many times,” D’Amato said. “He’s only 4. We can aim for the Breeders’ Cup next year.”

Listenupshance remains on schedule for the BC Sprint, trainer Doug O’Neill said on Sunday. Emisael Jaramillo will ride Listenupshance.

Liam Smith, owned and trained by Peter Miller, is booked to have his stakes debut in the BC Sprint, if he can gain a place in an expected field of 14. The race may have more than 14 entrants when pre-entries are taken on Oct. 19. Pre-entries will be announced on Oct. 21.

On Sept. 26, Liam Smith won an allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:13.90, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 107.

Liam Smith will be ridden for the first time in the BC Sprint by Flavien Prat, Miller said. Prat won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding jockey in 2024 and 2025. Jaramillo rode Liam Smith in his last start.

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