Breeders' Cup Sprint analysis

Mike Watchmaker

With a cluster of speed horses breaking from posts 10-13, there could be some serious shuffling back toward the inside when those speed horses move over down the backstretch. I’m taking a shot with BOURBON COURAGE, who can draft in behind those speeds and remain clear outside. Bourbon Courage impressed in winning his recent comeback at Keeneland and was competitive with good company early in his career. SECRET CIRCLE won this race last year and will improve off a third in his return from an eight-month layoff that was a total prep; the one to beat. RICH TAPESTRY beat Secret Circle when he won his U.S. debut off a layoff, but it was a demanding effort; must avoid a form regression. PRIVATE ZONE won the Vosburgh for a second straight year the second start off a layoff and with the return to dirt. His 10th in this race last year was not a true bill.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2014: Post positions, comments, and odds

Dave Litfin

Hard not to be impressed by RICH TAPESTRY, who was eased back out of a high-pressure spot between the early leaders and shot through inside Goldencents with a last quarter in 23.06 seconds and a big gallop-out; no stranger to bulky fields, has a history of putting two good races together off layoffs. Defending titlist SECRET CIRCLE had a good conditioner against the choice first out in eight months, when out of the exacta for the first time; screws tightened with three more signature Baffert works that included a big six furlongs from the gate. BIG MACHER (12-1) and BOURBON COURAGE (30-1) may fall through the cracks. The former has run well twice at Santa Anita coming off synthetic races. The latter won his first two starts at six furlongs by a combined 11 lengths, with eventual Grade 2 winner Macho Macho among those in the 2012 Super Derby winner’s wake.

:: Speed rules the BC Sprint, but there is no standout

Brad Free

The Sprint is among the most difficult races of Breeders' Cup 2014. RICH TAPESTRY fired in his U.S. debut, a nose win over BC Dirt Mile favorite Goldencents. 'TAPESTRY is an Irish-bred gelding that travelled the world including a runner-up finish in March in the Golden Shaheen in Dubai. His recent comeback win was his first start since April, but he had training races going in and therefore is not likely to bounce. He has enough speed to be positioned midpack, and might collar them late. Might. PALACE is among the top sprinters in New York, and he has looked good in mornings since arriving in California. A two-time Grade 1 winner in summer, he has won half his 22 starts. BIG MACHER must answer the class question, but there is no doubt he will run his "A" race first off the bench. He fires fresh, finished one-two all five starts at Santa Anita, and is a G1 winner in summer. SALUTOS AMIGOS wheels back in a week after a big win at Belmont. PRIVATE ZONE won a G1 last out at Belmont and is another that has trained well here. Tough, deep race. Not sure if the winner is among those five listed above.

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