2021 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Strong European contingent looking for repeat win
Last year, Glass Slippers became the first European-based winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint when she scored at Keeneland. Perhaps emboldened by that success, this year’s European possibilities for the upcoming renewal on Nov. 6 at Del Mar look like a strong lot.
Kevin Ryan saddled Glass Slippers – who brought a well-suited skill set to America, having previously raced on a left-handed course – to the breakthrough score last year at Keeneland. This year, the trainer has been bullish on Emaraaty Ana. After finishing second in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes – a race in which Daily Racing Form’s early Turf Sprint favorite, Golden Pal, was a baffling seventh – Emaraaty Ana proceeded to win the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock.
“I think there’s a fair chance he’s the right horse for America,” Ryan told the British press. “He can travel, and fast ground wouldn’t worry him. . . . I think he’s tailor-made for the Breeders’ Cup this year.”
Ryan also is bringing Glass Slippers back to defend her victory. Glass Slippers is winless this year in a late-starting campaign, but is not that far off her form displayed before the 2020 Breeders’ Cup. After finishing third in the Group 2 King George in England, she was third in the Group 1 Flying Five in Ireland, and then third in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp in France. Last year, she was second in the King George, won the Flying Five, and finished second in the Abbaye before traveling to Kentucky.
A tilt at the Breeders’ Cup appears to await this year’s Abbaye winner and Flying Five runner-up, A Case Of You. The 3-year-old gave trainer Ado McGuinness his first Group 1 score in the Abbaye, a Win and You’re In event toward the Turf Sprint. The Abbaye is run at about five furlongs, and the BC Turf Sprint is run at five furlongs.
“We’re going to prepare him for Del Mar, so long as there are no mishaps or anything,” McGuinness told the European press.
“He’s going to be a fabulous horse next year. You could say put him away, but there’s only one Breeders’ Cup, he’s in the form of his life, and I think he’s getting better. If the horse is fit and healthy to travel, he will travel, and if he’s not fit and healthy, he won’t travel. But at this present moment, we’re looking at tickets anyhow.”