2021 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: Competition for Gamine getting more scarce
As the connections of several would-be opponents ponder whether or not to try Gamine in the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint, it has become abundantly clear that the field will be one of the shortest of the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.
Confirmed as rivals for heavily favored Gamine in the Nov. 6 race are Bella Sofia, Ce Ce, Edgeway, and Estilo Talentoso, but beyond that, things get a little iffy. As one horseman joked last weekend when withdrawing a potential longshot from consideration from the Filly and Mare Sprint, “Does it come back as an extra for Sunday if it doesn’t fill Saturday?”
Trainer Neil Pessin said a decision on whether or not Bell’s the One will run in the seven-furlong race is due no earlier than this weekend, when the 5-year-old mare will have her first work at Churchill Downs since she earned an expenses-paid berth with a victory in the Thoroughbred Club of America on Oct. 9. Pessin added he might even wait until after a subsequent workout the following weekend to make a firm decision.
Billy Koch, whose Little Red Feather syndicate is one of five partners in Estilo Talentoso, confirmed this week the group will pay $130,000 to supplement the 4-year-old filly to the Filly and Mare Sprint. Estilo Talentoso was a close third behind Bell’s the One in the TCA.
From California, Jonathan Wong, trainer of On Deck, said Monday, “There is a possibility we do run in the BC.”
Also from California, Scotish Star is out, while Stellar Sound is “doubtful” to run, said trainer Michael McCarthy, who already has Ce Ce in the race.
Meanwhile, at Santa Anita, Gamine continues on a regular work schedule designed by trainer Bob Baffert to have her in peak condition for the Filly and Mare Sprint, which she won last year with a 110 Beyer Speed Figure. Gamine went six furlongs last Friday in 1:12 in her fourth timed work since winning the Ballerina on Aug. 28 at Saratoga. The 4-year-old Into Mischief filly is scheduled to work again this week.
Bella Sofia, trained by Rudy Rodriguez, had her second work since earning a career-high 102 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Gallant Bloom on Sept. 26, going five furlongs last Friday in 1:01.40 at Belmont Park.
In regard to facing Gamine, Rodriguez said “You got to respect her, that’s for sure, but we’re not afraid.”
In other recent works at Santa Anita, Ce Ce went a half-mile in 47.80 seconds on Friday, while Edgeway went a bullet five furlongs in a minute flat Sunday.