2021 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: Defections keep coming as field dwindles
The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint was run last year at Keeneland with a field of eight. The Nov. 6 renewal at Del Mar might not even get that many.
With numerous would-be prospects dropping out in recent days, including Sconsin, the prospective lineup for the $1 million BC Filly and Mare Sprint has distilled into no more than five horses with realistic chances. It’s topped by Gamine, the 2020 winner, who once again figures as a heavy favorite for the seven-furlong race, with her confirmed challengers being Bella Sofia, Ce Ce, Edgeway, and possibly Bell’s the One.
A few more fillies and mares range anywhere from possible to highly doubtful for the race, including Estilo Talentoso and the Santa Anita-based trio of Stellar Sound, Scotish Star, and On Deck.
Bell’s the One, a distant third last year to Gamine, earned the final Win and You’re In berth into the 2021 edition by earning a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes as the favorite last Saturday at Keeneland. However, Neil Pessin said Tuesday that no firm decision will be made on her BC status until she works back at Churchill Downs on Oct. 22 or 23.
Sconsin, who defeated Bell’s the One by a half-length in the Sept. 18 Open Mind at Churchill, is the most notable of the recent defections. Through his stable’s Twitter account, trainer Greg Foley announced the decision Tuesday, adding that the 4-year-old filly could race next in the Nov. 13 Dream Supreme at Churchill.
Also out are Venetian Harbor, whose retirement was announced Monday; Pacific Gale, who runs Sunday in the Floral Park on the Belmont turf; TCA also-rans Inthemidstofbiz and Frank’s Rockette; Lady Rocket; Bella Vita; and the Bill Mott pair of Obligatory and Lake Avenue.
As for Estilo Talentoso, who was third by a neck behind Bell’s the One in the TCA, she is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup and therefore would have to be supplemented for $130,000. Billy Koch of Little Red Feather, one of her five owners, expressed doubt that will happen, adding the 4-year-old filly is entered to be sold Nov. 9 at Fasig-Tipton.
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. Gamine went a half-mile last Wednesday at Santa Anita in 49.80 seconds, handily, her third work since she won the Aug. 28 Ballerina at Saratoga. The 4-year-old Into Mischief filly is scheduled to work again this week.
Bella Sofia, trained by Rudy Rodriguez, had her first work since earning a career-high 102 Beyer in winning the Sept. 26 Gallant Bloom, going an easy half-mile last Friday in 50.80 seconds at Belmont Park.