Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: American Gal will rest instead of run

Five weeks out, the field for $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar still may need a few tweaks. The two final preps are set for the weekend of Oct. 7-8, and the first major defection was announced this week.

The likely Filly and Mare Sprint favorite Unique Bella continues to train forwardly to the Oct. 8 L.A. Woman at Santa Anita. Likewise for Finley’sluckycharm, who will look to further entrench herself as one of the top Filly and Mare Sprint contenders by prepping in the Oct. 7 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland.

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In the meantime, trainer Simon Callaghan said from Santa Anita that American Gal, the top 3-year-old in this niche, is finished for the year. American Gal, owned by Kaleem Shah, had worked twice since winning the Grade 1 Test in early August before Callaghan stopped on her.

“We have decided to give her 60 days at the farm,” he said. “We are looking forward to a big year next year. The first major target will be the Humana Distaff” on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Also from Santa Anita, trainer Bill Spawr said Skye Diamonds was to have her first serious workout Wednesday since the California-bred standout won the Aug. 13 Rancho Bernardo.

“She’s doing very well,” Spawr said.

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Other Filly and Mare Sprint possiblities at Santa Anita include the Bob Baffert trio of Constellation, Faypien, and Vale Dori, with perhaps one or more to oppose Unique Bella in the 6 1/2-furlong L.A. Woman.

From New York, trainer Michelle Nevin said that By the Moon, winner of the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 26, returned to serious training this week at Belmont Park.

“We just backed off, gave her a little breather,” said Nevin, adding that because Del Mar does not open for training until Oct. 23 she is unlikely to send her to California a few weeks early, as she did last year.

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The last New York prep for the Filly and Mare Sprint, the Gallant Bloom last Sunday at Belmont, produced formful results, as the one-two finishers, Highway Star and Carina Mia, will proceed to Del Mar.

From Canada, trainer Josie Carroll said owner Ivan Dalos is “on the fence” in regard to the Filly and Mare Sprint for Ami’s Mesa. The 4-year-old homebred has won 6 of 9 career starts, including a track-record victory in the Presque Isle Masters earlier this month. She has never raced on dirt.

From Florida, owner-trainer Happy Alter said he considered the TCA and Filly and Mare Sprint for Curlin’s Approval, but “we lost quite a bit of training time to the hurricane.”

“As of now, I’m not going to Kentucky with her,” he said. “It wouldn’t be fair to her – not against that kind of competition.”

From Maryland, trainer Michael Matz said the Filly and Mare Sprint is not a target for Tequilita, winner of the Charles Town Oaks for 3-year-old fillies last weekend. Matz said he instead will point the filly to the Oct. 21 Raven Run at Keeneland.

Vertical Oak, another 3-year-old, is among the probable challengers to Finley’sluckycharm in the six-furlong TCA, but trainer Steve Asmussen said her Breeders’ Cup status is doubtful. Trainer John Kimmel said that Bar of Gold, second behind Ami’s Mesa in the Masters at Presque Isle, is possible for the TCA and perhaps the Filly and Mare Sprint.