Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Deep home team awaits invaders
Those seeking to capitalize on a home-course advantage in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint will face a far-flung class of challengers from various jurisdictions.
The Turf Sprint has drawn 22 pre-entries, of which 14 will be allowed to start in the Nov. 7 at Keeneland. Eight made their most recent start at Keeneland – Chaos Theory, Diamond Oops, Got Stormy, Leinster, Extravagant Kid, Into Mystic, Just Might, and Manny Wah. Oleksandra and Imprimis also are graded stakes winners on this course.
An affinity for the course will certainly play a factor in the wagering. Imprimis, winner of the Grade 2 Shakertown in 2019, has crossed the line first in both his starts this year and is the 4-1 favorite on Daily Racing Form’s early line, established by Brad Free. Got Stormy, coming off a local win in the Grade 3 Franklin County, is the 9-2 second choice. Leinster, winner of the Shakertown and the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland this season, is 5-1. Leinster also is based at Keeneland with Rusty Arnold.
“Here he gets to run out of his own barn, and I think that means more than the course,” Arnold said of Leinster, who established a course record at 5 1/2 furlongs, the Turf Sprint distance, while winning the Shakertown.
The home team also includes 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Four Wheel Drive, who has never started at Keeneland but is based here with Wesley Ward. He has not started since May and returned to the work tab Oct. 13 after a long hiatus. He is far down the preference list and needs several defections to make the field. He will get at least one, as Diamond Oops, a graded stakes winner on both turf and dirt, has first preference in the Sprint and is expected for that race.
The shippers are led by a solid contingent from California, including Grade 2 Eddie D winner Big Runnuer and Grade 3 Green Flash winner Chaos Theory. Bulletproof One and Texas Wedge come in for Peter Miller, who has won three consecutive editions of the Turf Sprint – in 2017 and 2018 with Stormy Liberal, and last year with Belvoir Bay.
Wet Your Whistle, who earned a berth winning the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint, flies the flag for New York. Glass Slippers earned a berth winning the Group 1 Flying Five at The Curragh in September. She was most recently second by a neck in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp.