updated 4:03 p.m. ET Oct. 31, 2004

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Speightstown won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Saturday, giving trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez their second victories of the day.

Speightstown covered six furlongs in 1:08.11 and paid $9.40 to win. The winner defeated Kela by 1¼ lengths.

Pletcher and Velazquez began the eight-race Breeders’ Cup card by winning the $2 million Distaff with Ashado. That snapped an 0-for-12 record for Pletcher in racing’s richest day. He leads the nation’s trainers this year in victories and earnings.

It was Velazquez’s sixth career Cup win.

“There was so much speed in the race and I didn’t know how he would handle the dirt in his face,” Velazquez said. “I wanted to be as close as I could without being too far back. As soon as he got in the clear, he switched leads. He just picked it up.”

Eugene Melynk, who owns Speightstown with his wife Laura, also owns the Ottawa Senators. The hockey team has yet to play this season because of the NHL lockout.

Speightstown was bred by Aaron and Marie Jones, who also bred Distaff winner Ashado. Speightstown sold for $2 million at the 1999 Keeneland July yearling sale. Ashado was sold for $170,000 at the 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale.

My Cousin Matt was third, followed by Bwana Charlie, Cajun Beat, Clock Stopper, Champali, Pt’s Grey Eagle, Gold Storm, Midas Eyes (the 7-2 favorite), Abbondanza, Our New Recruit and Cuvee.

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