Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: Groupie Doll remains sharp

Groupie Doll, the likely favorite when defending her title this coming Saturday in the Filly and Mare Sprint, had her final work for the seven-furlong race when going a half-mile in 47.79 seconds shortly after the Santa Anita track was cleared in the aftermath of the Points Offthebench tragedy.

“Last year, I watched her train here all of one day,” said trainer Buff Bradley, who will be here for an entire week this time around. “When she had her last work here last year, I was watching on TV back home [in Kentucky].”

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Groupie Doll, with regular exercise rider Jada Schlenk up, went her final quarter-mile in 23.70 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch, with a five-furlong gallop-out time of 1:00.03. The 5-year-old Groupie Doll will be sold at auction at Keeneland just a few days after the Breeders’ Cup.

“I thought it was a very good work,” Bradley said. “Jada used the word ‘amazing.’ The gallop-out was really strong, and Jada had a tough time pulling her up. I love seeing her energy level the way it is and how much she likes this racetrack.”

Bradley, who happened to be nearby when waiting for Groupie Doll to work, was among those first on the scene in caring for Points Offthebench on the track.

“Just a really sad situation,” he said.