Breeders Cup Turf Sprint Preview

The inaugural running of the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint is shaping up to be quite the race.  It will be contested at 6 ½  furlongs on the turf, for three-year-olds and up, with a purse of $1,000,000. The race will take place at Santa Anita for the next two years, which will make the race different due to their downhill turf course. Due to this I will likely give preference to west coast runners, and horses who have proved they can run well over the surface. Lets take a look at the field, and I’ll tell you who I think can win. Remember, these are only early thoughts, until I see the past performances I can’t make any concrete selections.

Mr. Nightlinger is the probable favorite. He has won five in a row, including the Grade 3 Shakertown at Keeneland, and the Grade 3 Aegon Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. Trained by Brett Calhoun, and ridden by James Theriot his most recent win came in the $200k Arlington Sprint Handicap on August 23. Mr. Nightlinger has dazzling early speed, and was in front in the blink of an eye in his latest race. He can handle early pace pressure, and will be tough to put away on the front end.

His best competition will most likely come from the Scott Lake trained and Ken Carmouche ridden True To Tradition. A winner of two in a row, his latest victory was in the Grade 2 Nearartic Stakes at Woodbine. Prior to that he won the Turf Monster Handicap at Philadelphia Park. While he likes to race on the front, he has proved he can rate. He will probably need to do so in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint.

The lethal combination of Brian Koriner and Joseph Talamo will saddle California Flag for the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. He has plenty of experience at Santa Anita, breaking his maiden there and winning the Grade 3 Morvich Handicap there in his most recent start. He won that race easily by four lengths in wire to wire fashion. I love the fact that he has a win over the surface, and an impressive one for that matter. I won’t claim to know a ton about the horse, but the connections alone are enough for me to give him some consideration.

First Defence qualifies for the race, but I don’t know if he will start. I think Robert Frankel would be making a great decision to race him in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. Although he won the Forego by 6 lengths, he proved in the Vosburgh he doesn’t quite match up with the top sprinters. He has several wins on the turf, including the Grade 3 Jaipur this year.

Word on the internet is that Diabolical may be shipping back to the United States for the race.  Diabolical was a top sprinter last year before being sold to Sheikh Mohammed to race in the Dubai International Carnival, and ultimately the Dubai Goldeen Shaheen. He finished second in the Grade 2 Diadem Stakes at Ascot, missing the winner by a neck in his last start. His sire, Artax, was a top sprinter in his day, winning the Breeders Cup Sprint, Vosburgh, and Carter Handicap, all Grade 1 events. Diabolical’s best win came in the Grade 2 Vanderbilt Handicap. I expect him to make a big impact on the race if he ships from across the pond.

I can’t make a clear choice without seeing past performances, but Diabolical will be my top choice if he races. I love his breeding and his form has been sharp lately.  He was dominant here before leaving the United States. I also like First Defence. He is very tough on the front end, and can also rate if he is forced to. He has been racing exceptionally well minus his last start in the Vosburgh, which was loaded with speed. Good luck, and check back once the official entries are in for more information.