BC Turf Sprint: Favorites draw rail, far-outside posts

ARCADIA, Calif. – Tightend Touchdown may not be the same horse who finished second in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

Trainer Jason Servis expressed concern Monday about whether the 5-year-old gelding can be as effective when he makes a return trip to California from New York for Saturday’s $1 million BC Turf Sprint.

“I think he was keener last year,” Servis said. “He got a real bad virus in March. I don’t know if he’s gotten over that.”

Owned by Mr. Amore Stable, Tightend Touchdown has one win in four starts this year, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup over five furlongs on turf at Penn National in May. In two subsequent starts over five furlongs on turf at Parx Racing, Tightend Touchdown was second by a nose in the Parx Dash Handicap in July and third in the Turf Monster Handicap on Sept. 1.

In 2013, Tightend Touchdown was beaten a half-length by Mizdirection in the BC Turf Sprint over about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course, finishing in a dead heat with Reneesgotzip.

Mizdirection has been retired, but Reneesgotzip is one of the leading contenders for this year’s race.
The 2013 BC Turf Sprint was Tightend Touchdown’s first start on the hillside turf course. The experience could pay off if Tightend Touchdown runs a top race, Servis said.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2014: Post positions and odds

“The one thing I have going for him is he handled the downhill,” Servis said. “I do have a race over the course.”

A former claimer, Tightend Touchdown has won 10 of 26 starts and earned $727,045.

Post positions were drawn Monday afternoon, and the two leading contenders drew opposite sides of the gate.

Reneesgotzip drew post 1, while the 3-year-old No Nay Never drew post 14. The race has 16 entries, with Ageless and Za Approval on the also-eligible list.

While Reneesgotzip and No Nay Never start far apart, they are likely to be near each other after the first furlong. Both have impressive speed and could contribute to a rapid pace.

Such a scenario would help Tightend Touchdown, who is expected to race just off the pace for jockey Javier Castellano.