Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Highfield Princess riding a Group 1 three-peat
When Glass Slippers won the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland she became the first European-based horse to win the race, which was added to the BC program in 2008. Highfield Princess will try to step into those shoes while leading this year’s European contingent for the $1 million race.
Highfield Princess, who has long had an eye on the Breeders’ Cup for trainer John Quinn, is a solid 3-1 second choice on Brad Free’s Daily Racing Form early line for the Turf Sprint. The favorite, at 2-1, is defending winner Golden Pal, who is based at Keeneland.
Highfield Princess will make a long journey to face Golden Pal on his home turf, but will come to the Breeders’ Cup off three straight wins in prestigious European sprints in three different countries – the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in France, the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes in England, and the Group 1 Flying Five in Ireland.
A common problem of European candidates in the Turf Sprint is they struggle with the sharp left-handed turns of American racing, as many of the top international sprint races – including the Maurice de Gheest, Nunthorpe, and Flying Five – are contested on a straightaway.
Highfield Princess, however, is a stakes winner around a left-handed bend, albeit at a slightly longer distance and against much softer competition. She won the Queen Charlotte Stakes in September 2021 on a synthetic surface at Chemsford, going seven furlongs. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is 5 1/2 furlongs, and successfully negotiating the turn will be of greater importance.
Another confirmed member of the European contingent will be Creative Force, who won last year’s Group 1 British Champions Sprint as a 3-year-old. This year, he is winless in four starts for Charlie Appleby, who enjoyed a breakout event at the 2021 Breeders’ Cup. However, Creative Force has turned in some good efforts, as he was bested just a neck when second in the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot and was third in this year’s renewal of the Champions Sprint. He is wheeling back relatively quickly following that Oct. 15 race.
The Breeders’ Cup also lists Emaraaty Ana – fourth to Golden Pal in last year’s Turf Sprint – Flotus, Go Bears Go, Ladies Church, Romantic Proposal, and White Lavender as possible European-based runners in the Turf Sprint.
Pre-entries for all Breeders’ Cup races close Monday with entrants, and crucially, cross-entries and preferences, revealed two days later. The Turf Sprint, which is limited to 14 starters, is virtually guaranteed to draw an overflow cast.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.