Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: A few prep winners taking a pass
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While the connections of the winners of several recent prep races for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint have indicated they don’t plan to travel to Del Mar, the races are still likely to factor into handicapping the five-furlong turf stakes.
One horse who certainly appears primed to move forward off his final prep is Bradsell, Europe’s top Turf Sprint hope. The multiple Group 1 winner incurred his first loss in four starts this season on Sunday when Marakova, in her final career start, reeled him in late on soft ground to win the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp. Trainer Archie Watson was proud of Bradsell’s effort and is keen to get his charge onto the firm turf course at Del Mar.
“He’s run a huge race and did nothing wrong,” Watson told the European press. Jockey “Hollie [Doyle] felt that, while he went on the ground, he was just a little bit vulnerable late to a closer. I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s run a massive race. I’ve always thought that the turning five furlongs over there in the U.S. would really suit. . . . That’ll be the plan as long as everyone’s happy.”
Stateside, Our Shot appears to be coming into his best form off a win in the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland. However, he is not Breeders’ Cup eligible, so trainer and co-owner John Terranova said it’s “more than likely” he won’t go to Del Mar.
Owner Ron Dowdy said he would like to go to the Breeders’ Cup with Charcoal, who edged multiple graded stakes winner Arzak by a neck for second in the Woodford. Trainer Mike Trombetta said that if Arzak – beaten only two lengths when sixth in the 2023 Turf Sprint at Santa Anita – trains well, he will pre-enter him for this year’s edition.
Another prep winner not going on is Grade 2 Eddie D winner First Peace, who is not Breeders’ Cup nominated and isn’t suited by the five-furlong distance of the Turf Sprint. Eddie D runner-up Air Force Red is one of several from that race still under consideration.
Senbei won the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint on Saturday at Aqueduct for trainer Christophe Clement and owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Darlene Bilinski. Clement also trains 2023 Turf Sprint runner-up Big Invasion, fourth in the Eddie D, for Reeves.
“I have to decide if they both stay here or do we ship one of them,” Clement told New York Racing Association publicity. “I don’t know if we can get in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint or if either of them has done enough to get there. I’ll need to think about it and make a plan.”
Clement could wind up with another candidate if Roses for Debra, owned by Cheyenne Stable and John O’Meara, runs well in the Grade 2 Franklin County on Sunday at Keeneland. The mare faces Future Is Now, trained by Trombetta, who bested her twice earlier this year.
Godolphin’s Star of Mystery has a strong record against male runners, making her a prime candidate to use the Franklin County as a springboard. She was third in the Grade 1 Jaipur to divisional leader Cogburn and Arzak, then won the Grade 3 Quick Call.
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