Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Lovell hoping for chance to run Doncho

Patrick Moquin|Oct 29, 2026

Barbara D. Livingston Doncho will need some defections to make the field for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Trainer Michelle Lovell celebrated her 63rd birthday on Thursday in the stable area at Keeneland, preparing the 5-year-old gelding Doncho for a race in which he is unlikely to run. Buried deep on the also-eligible list for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Saturday, Lovell’s positive report was marred by the circumstances.

“He’s very ready,” Lovell said.

With the third spot on the also-eligible list, in order for Lovell’s sprinter to make it into the field of 14, he will need three horses to scratch before the deadline at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. As of Thursday morning, no changes have been announced.

In 15 career starts, Doncho has put together a résumé that would have made him a highly suitable candidate to start in this year’s championship event. In August 2025, the gelding broke the world record on turf at 5 1/2 furlongs in an Ellis Park allowance. He has since won three listed stakes, including the $225,000 Mighty Beau at Churchill Downs, where he set the five-furlong course record with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure in June.

“I totally think he belongs,” Lovell said. “He holds the world record going 5 1/2 [furlongs]. He owns that record, and no matter what anyone says, it’s written. He’s got a track record at Churchill going five furlongs to legitimize it, in my mind. He’s super fast, very healthy, and he’s matured. He’s just a racehorse.”

Coming off a game, photo-finish defeat in the Grade 2 Troy in August, Lovell said she hoped Doncho could make his final Breeders’ Cup push in the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland earlier this month. The spacing between starts seemed to take something out of him, though he still finished third by a length behind Joe Shiesty.

“He needs a prep,” Lovell said. “Unfortunately, we’ve found out that his first race back is okay, but he seems to get a bit tired.”

Wesley Ward, who trains the 5-2 morning-line favorite Bacio in the Turf Sprint, also has the Woodford runner-up No Nay Hudson and Outfielder waiting on the also-eligible list. He and Lovell shared the same strange feeling, in which they must wait for an opportunity without wishing misfortune on other horsemen.

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