Key contenders in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Sprint

Key contenders in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Drefong, by Gio Ponti
Last 3 Beyers: 107-103-103

* Has had only two starts all year, but has been working lights out for the defense of his title, prompting trainer Bob Baffert to say “he couldn’t be doing any better” going into the race.

* Jockey Mike Smith, like Baffert, said he would have preferred an outside post but added “a lot of times a bad post can turn into a good post, especially with a real good horse.”

Roy H, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 106-98-111

* The 111 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his easy win at Belmont Park in the Grade 2 True North in June is the best in the field.

* Trainer Peter Miller expects Roy H to be placed “in fourth or fifth position about two to three lengths off the lead” during the early going of the Sprint.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2017: Fields, odds, comments, and more

Imperial Hint, by Imperialism
Last 3 Beyers: 109-101-105

* Had to miss a scheduled start in the Dubai Golden Shaheen after taking ill the week of the race, preventing him from returning to the United States for another month.

* Has been handled with kid gloves purposefully by trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. after earning an all-expenses-paid berth into the race by virtue of his easy victory in the Smile Sprint early last summer at Gulfstream Park.

Mind Your Biscuits, by Posse
Last 3 Beyers 91-106-101

* Was considered the division leader following back-to-back victories in the Dubai Golden Shaheen and Belmont Sprint, before falling out of favor with many experts following a disappointing performance in the Forego this summer at Saratoga.

* Projects to receive a very favorable pace setup with plenty of speed types – including Drefong, Takaful, and Imperial Hint – signed on for the race.

:: Breeders' Cup PPs, Clocker Reports, and more

Takaful, by Bernardini
Last 3 Beyers 107-101-105

* One of only two 3-year-olds in the field along with American Pastime, he exits a career-best performance when defeating the older, odds-on favorite El Deal in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont.

Whitmore, by Pleasantly Perfect
Last 3 Beyers 96-95-97

* Seems to be cycling back to the form that had him among the division leaders earlier this season after overcoming a tough trip to capture the Win and You’re In Phoenix last month at Keeneland.