Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: Amoss prepping Serengeti Empress to use speed
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The likely favorites for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint all had their final prep races on the first weekend of September, but the final spots for a fringe player or two could still be earned Saturday in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland.
The Raven Run is restricted to 3-year-old fillies, whereas all other open preps toward the Filly and Mare Sprint already have been held. Venetian Harbor, in from California for Richard Baltas, is among the Raven Run entries, along with Four Graces and several other Filly and Mare Sprint hopefuls.
The pecking order of favoritism toward the Nov. 7 Filly and Mare Sprint remains the same, with Gamine the 8-5 choice on the early line compiled by Daily Racing Form handicapper Brad Free. Serengeti Empress is next at 4-1, followed closely at 5-1 by Bell’s the One, who beat Serengeti Empress a nose in their epic clash in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff on Kentucky Derby Day.
Gamine, trained by Bob Baffert, had her second breeze since finishing third as the odds-on favorite in the Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks, going a half-mile in 47.20 seconds last Saturday at Santa Anita.
Serengeti Empress breezed a half-mile Tuesday at Churchill in 48.80 in her third work since the Sept. 5 Derby City Distaff. Serengeti Empress will be retired following the Breeders’ Cup.
“She went very well,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “This is it for us. This is the last time I get to run her, and from my point of view, she’s been so important to the stable in so many ways that maybe I’m paying attention to every detail a bit too much.
“I’m trying to make sure this is the best race she ever runs. She’ll move over to Keeneland early Breeders’ Cup week, probably Monday, and get settled in there with my assistant. There’s no secret to our game plan. She’s a fast, fast filly from the gate, and we’re going to try to capitalize on those tactics, even recognizing that there could be a big field and a lot of other speed in the race. She’ll do what she does best.”
A sizable field appears possible for the 14th Filly and Mare Sprint, with as many as 14 being allowed to start.
Bell’s the One, trained by Neil Pessin, also has been active in the mornings at Churchill. A Thursday breeze was to be her fourth since the Derby City Distaff.
Meanwhile, Venetian Harbor was flown Tuesday to Lexington following a half-mile breeze in 47 seconds the preceding day at San Luis Rey Downs in California. The Munnings filly came to prominence in February with a 9 1/4-length romp in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes prior to three straight runner-up finishes in the Fantasy, Ashland, and Test.