Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Stubborn but talented, Believing has put together a fine season
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DEL MAR, Calif. - There are some mornings Believing does not feel like being a racehorse. There are other afternoons when Believing is among Europe’s best sprinters.
Believing, the winner of two stakes in Britain this year, starts in one of the richest races of her career in Saturday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at five furlongs.
Trained by George Boughey for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, Believing starts from the inside in a full field of 12. From that draw on a firm turf course, Boughey hopes Believing can be a factor as a stalker.
“I hope the firmer turf will allow her to grab the ground,” Boughey said. “I think the draw is key and it looks like we’ll press forward. If we were wide, I’d be worried.”
Believing has won 2 of 9 starts this year, racing in many of Europe’s leading sprints. She won the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at five furlongs on turf at the Curragh in Ireland in July, then was second and third in major stakes at Goodwood and York racecourse in England. She finished second in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sept. 15 and was third after encountering slight trouble in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp in France on Oct. 6.
In her last three starts, Believing has finished behind Bradsell, who runs in the BC Turf Sprint, but drew a tough post on the outside.
Remarkably, Believing has not had a workout since March, Boughey said, a far cry from an American-trained horse that would work on a regular basis in advance of a race.
“I’d rather her do it on the track,” he said.
In her training, there are times when Believing is set for exercise and refuses.
“Somedays she won’t go out to train,” Boughey said.
The absence of workouts, and occasional bouts of stubbornness, does not show in her record.
“You have to leave her to it,” Boughey said.
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