LEXINGTON, Ky. – The late, great Joe Hirsch, when asked who he was rooting for in a big race, always had the same reply. “The best story.”  And nothing would have pleased the legendary turf scribe any more than watching the 7-year-old Whitmore rally to an easy and convincing 3 1/4-length victory over C Z Rocket in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland. Whitmore has been a fixture in the Sprint each of the last four years, having finished a distant eighth at Del Mar in 2017, second at Churchill Downs the following year, and third behind favorites Mitole and Shancelot at Santa Anita last season. Saturday marked the 38th start and 15th victory of his amazing career, the $1.04 million payday swelling his lifetime earnings to more than $4.2 million. Whitmore’s victory also set off an emotional seen in the winner’s circle, bringing tears of joy to the eyes of his trainer, Ron Moquett, who also owns a share of the old pro along with Robert LaPenta and Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners. Whitmore came into the Sprint off a fourth-place finish following a wide trip in the Grade 2 Phoenix, the only time he had finished off the board in four starts at Keeneland. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode him for the first time Saturday. :: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program. The Sprint did not unfold as expected, with Japanese invader and 71-1 outsider Jasper Prince setting the pace while attended by fellow longshot Empire of Gold, Whitmore settling in about eight lengths off the pace while saving ground during the early going. Empire of Gold overtook the tiring leader and got clear briefly leaving the furlong grounds, at which point Whitmore was in full flight. Easing off the rail while avoiding some crowding nearing midstretch, Whitmore readily overtook Empire of Gold approaching the sixteenth pole and then extended his advantage with total authority. C Z Rocket, who entered the Sprint on a five-race winning streak, raced a bit wide into the stretch and rallied mildly to be second. Firenze Fire came from well back near the rail to finish a neck back in third. Yaupon, the somewhat surprising 6-5 favorite, raced forwardly placed for a half, steadied in traffic while dropping back after five furlongs, and finished a disappointing eighth while suffering his first setback in five lifetime starts. Whitmore, a gelded son of Pleasantly Perfect, completed the distance in 1:08.61 over the very fast track and paid $38.80. The race earned a 104 Beyer Speed Figure. “We’re very proud and we give the credit to the horse,” said Moquett, who was diagnosed with autoimmune disease two years ago. “We do everything we can do to get the most out of him and make it easier for him. Like keeping the same people with the horse. We have a groom who has been with him since he was 2, the same therapy person, the same pony. My clients also deserve a lot of credit, for allowing me to do what I want to do and that’s doing the best by him.” Moquett, who described Whitmore as a “big, old grumpy gelding,” said that after chasing former champions in each of the last three Breeders’ Cup Sprints, his horse was on top of the world today. “To be the fastest in the world, you have to beat the fastest in the world,” said Moquett. “Others might have run faster times and are going to get more accolades, but today, this is the fastest horse in the world.” Kumin, who was part of the ownership group on Friday with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Aunt Pearl and again with Monomoy Girl later Saturday, said, “This was just an incredible win. You own lots of horses, but rarely you find one like this guy, who is just a fighter with so much heart. All the credit goes to Ron and his team and to Whitmore. He’s a warrior, and it was just amazing to see today.”