Last year was the inaugural running of the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. Desert Code came charging down the lane late to take the race from Diabolical. I still have a bad taste in my mouth over this race, because I bet Diabolical pretty heavy at odds of 10-1. I wish I had back wheeled him, because Desert Code was around 36-1. This year’s running should be just as exciting. Let’s take a glance at some of the horses that may be in the race.

2008 and 2009 Morvich Handicap winner California Flag is expected to give the Turf Sprint another try after finishing 10th last year. He has raced only twice this year and should be very fresh according to trainer Brian Koriner. The gray gelding has excellent early zip, but will need things to be less hectic on the front end this time around. He has an advantage over many in the race because he has won several times over this unique down hill turf course. Jockey Joe Talamo could get his first Breeders Cup victory on California Flag if things play out right for him.

Silver Timber is expected to compete in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint after winning the Woodford last out over Mr Nightlinger. The gelding was claimed for $25k earlier this year by owner Michael Dubb and trainer Chad Brown. The trainer was quoted saying that Silver Timber has never looked as good as he did in his last work. Brown won the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last year with Maram.

Cannonball will certainly be a force for trainer Wes Ward. The four-year-old gelded son of Catienus was runner up in a Group 1 race at Royal Ascot this summer. His last trip to the track was a victory in a NY bred stakes race. He is a consistent horse and lightly raced this year. If he brings the race that earned him second in England he will have a huge shot at becoming a Breeders Cup winner.

Defending champ Desert Code will probably get plenty of support at the windows despite finishing poorly in the Morvich Handicap last out. He had a brutally fast pace to run at when he won last year, and unless something like that happens again I don’t know if he can win this race. It seems like he has lost a step in his last few races.

Other interesting contenders include Strike the Deal, Diamondrella, Get Funky, Gotta Have Her, and Square Eddie. A full list of pre entries can be found by clicking here.