Squirtle Squirt

First or second in 12 of his 16 lifetime starts, including multiple graded stakes wins, Squirtle Squirt is perhaps best known as the horse who gave late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel his first Breeders’ Cup victory. Frankel was on a 0-for-38 streak when Squirtle Squirt rallied for a half-length victory in a loaded Breeders’ Cup Sprint field that included past and future champions Xtra Heat, Kona Gold and Left Bank. The victory made a millionaire out of the Marquetry colt, one who cost a mere $25,000 at auction. Squirtle Squirt beat another champion in Orientate to win the Grade 1 King’s Bishop at Saratoga in 2001, earning the Eclipse Award that year as leading sprinter. Winner of the Grade 3 Hollywood Juvenile Champion Stakes at 2, he was also second in four graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Vosburgh in 2001.