Imagination makes a title defense in the G2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship

Bob Baffert trainee Imagination is set to defend his title in the Grade II, $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship over six furlongs at Santa Anita Park. Jockey Juan Hernandez retains the mount on the five-year-old horse, who aims for back-to-back victories in the race. The event serves as a Breeders' Cup Challenge series qualifier, granting the winner a paid berth into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland on October 31.

Imagination faces tough competition from top rivals Listenupshance and Maximum Bourbon, who finished first and second in the Grade I Bing Crosby. Doug O'Neill trains Listenupshance, who will again be ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, while Phil D'Amato-trained Maximum Bourbon will feature jockey Umberto Rispoli.