BC Sprint: Fog fails to scare off competition

ELMONT, N.Y. - Lost in the Fog is expected to be the shortest-priced favorite on this year's Breeders' Cup program, but despite the presence of the undefeated 3-year-old sensation, a full contingent of 14 horses was pre-entered Monday for the $1 million Sprint. If all 14 make it into the starting gate, it will be the first time a full field has contested the six-furlong Sprint since the Breeders' Cup was last held at Belmont Park in 2001.

Lost in the Fog, who is perfect in 10 starts, tops the list of pre-entries, which also includes Pomeroy, Battle Won, Wildcat Heir, Silver Train, Taste of Paradise, Lion Tamer, Roman Ruler, Imperialism, Gygistar, High Fly, Elusive Jazz, Attila's Storm, and Lifestyle.

Attila's Storm and Lifestyle were the most surprising of the pre-entrants, and their presence could have a major impact on the race. Both horses have been on or with the pace in each of their seven career starts, and they should provide Lost in the Fog with his stiffest challenge for the lead in the Sprint.

Attila's Son has won his last two starts, both allowance races, for trainer Richard Schosberg, although those victories came 3 1/2 months apart. His most recent triumph was a 5 1/2-length victory in a second-level allowance at Monmouth Park on Sept. 8.

Lifestyle is winless since opening his career with a pair of one-sided victories during the spring of 2004. But trainer Wesley Ward said recent surgery to correct a breathing problem has Lifestyle, a speedy son of Indian Charlie, "sitting on the race of his life."

"This horse has been displacing his palate so badly he would almost fall down after his races," said Ward. "But he hasn't made any noise or had any problem since he had throat surgery after his last start at Del Mar."

Lifestyle worked five furlongs in 57.20 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:10.80 with jockey Alex Solis aboard at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

"I wanted Alex's opinion before going ahead and pre-entering for the Sprint, and he got off the horse just raving after his work," said Ward, who owns Lifestyle in partnership with Roger King. "I told Roger we could go in a two-other-than allowance race, but that he was sitting on the best race of his life and we might be wasting it by not taking a shot at the Breeders' Cup. And he said 'Let's go for it.' This horse is pretty fast, and I expect we'll be right there with the lead from the start."

Imperialism worked five furlongs at Belmont under trainer Kristin Mulhall at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Mulhall clocked the work in 58.40 seconds.