Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Clement, Miller, Servis well armed

Trainers Christophe Clement, Peter Miller, and Jason Servis could have multiple starters in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint when the 5 1/2-furlong race is held Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

Clement may start Disco Partner and Pure Sensation. He is pointing the duo for the $150,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational, a six-furlong race Oct. 6.

Miller and Servis could have three starters each.

Servis would like to run Vision Perfect, Rainbow Heir, and the 3-year-old World of Trouble. Vision Perfect and Rainbow Heir finished second and third to Pure Sensation in the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx on Sept. 3. World of Trouble has won back-to-back $100,000 stakes over his own age group since being switched to turf.

Miller has Stormy Liberal and Richard’s Boy, who finished first and second, separated by a head, in the BC Turf Sprint a year ago. He also is considering Conquest Tsunami.

Stormy Liberal and Conquest Tsunami are entered in the $100,000 Eddie D Stakes down the hill at Santa Anita on Friday. Richard’s Boy could tune up for the Breeders’ Cup the same way he did in 2017, by taking on statebreds in the $100,000 California Flag, a five-furlong turf sprint Oct. 20.

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Imprimis, Bucchero can improve

Imprimis and Bucchero had trouble when finishing fourth and fifth in the Turf Monster. Both are still possible for the BC Turf Sprint.

Imprimis is scheduled to run next in the Grade 2, $250,000 Nearctic at Woodbine on Oct. 13. Bucchero is being pointed to the Grade 2, $200,000 Woodford at Keeneland on Oct. 6.

Trainer Joe Orseno said Imprimis lost his left-front and left-hind shoes during the five-furlong Turf Monster.

“It explains to me why he didn’t appear to be handling the turn the way we needed,” Orseno said. “We were disappointed he didn’t win, but he only got beat three-quarters of a length by Pure Sensation, who may be the best five-furlong horse in the country.”

Bucchero, trained by Tim Glyshaw, was bumped between horses and checked nearing the far turn. He then was fanned wide into the stretch and ultimately beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

“He made up maybe six lengths and didn’t get beat that bad,” Glyshaw said. “I think his best distance is 5 1/2. We’ll move on to the race at Keeneland, and if he does well, we’ll keep going.”

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Long On Value not likely

Long On Value earned a Win and You’re In berth in the BC Turf Sprint with his neck victory in the Grade 1 Highlander at Woodbine, but he is unlikely for the race.

The 7-year-old worked three times in July, did not hit the work tab in August, then breezed twice in early September.

“He’s had a little setback,” trainer Brad Cox said. “If he runs again this year, it will be in the Turf Sprint, but I’m not sure he will make the race.”

Cox is pointing the 4-year-old Will Call to the Woodford. A good performance could earn him a start in the BC Turf Sprint. Will Call won the Grade 3, $200,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in May and an optional claimer there in late June.

“We are going to run him in the Woodford and see how he does,” Cox said. “He didn’t handle Keeneland in the spring, but we had a lot of wet weather and he just didn’t like the course.”

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