Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Undrafted, Dettori to pair up

Undrafted and jockey Frankie Dettori will be partnered for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, trainer Wesley Ward said. The Grade 1, $1 million race will be run Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

Dettori guided Undrafted to a half-length win in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes on June 20 at Ascot. Undrafted has started once since that six-furlong race, finishing second in the $300,000 More Than Ready Mile on Sept. 5 at Kentucky Downs. Ward said the horse’s next out will come in the Breeders’ Cup.

“He’s going to train into it,” said Ward.

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Undrafted stretched out in the More Than Ready Mile to see if it might open up options for the horse, but Ward said he has decided to turn him back in distance to 5 1/2 furlongs for the BC Turf Sprint.

“We’re going back to what we do best, be a come-from-behind sprinter,” said Ward.

Undrafted, who races for Wes Welker and Sol Kumin, was third by a half-length in last year’s BC Turf Sprint. The horse is one of three Ward has pointing for the race this year. He said The Great War and Green Mask, both of whom are stakes winners, also are targeting the BC Turf Sprint.

“We’re getting serious about the race,” said Ward.

Work to determine path of Pure Sensation

Pure Sensation’s path to the BC Turf Sprint was to be determined following a Wednesday workout and subsequent discussions with owner Patricia Generazio, according to trainer Christophe Clement. Clement said options for the Belmont Park-based winner of the Grade 3 Turf Monster Handicap are to either prep in the Grade 3 Woodford on Oct. 3 at Keeneland or train up to the Breeders’ Cup.

Class Racing Stable and trainer Jim Cassidy are debating the same question with Holy Lute, who was second by a neck in the Kentucky Downs Turf Dash on Sept. 14. Cassidy said Holy Lute is back home at Santa Anita, with the question now whether to return to Kentucky for the Woodford or just train into the BC Turf Sprint.

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Marchman now based in Kentucky

Marchman returned to the Midwest on Sept. 17 after being based in Southern California with the goal being the BC Turf Sprint, said trainer Bret Calhoun. Calhoun, who won the BC Turf Sprint in 2010 with Chamberlain Bridge, received Marchman at his barn at Churchill Downs.

“He looks well and will be pointed for the Woodford at Keeneland,” Calhoun said. “That’s the target right now.”

Marchman won last year’s Grade 3 Shakertown at Keeneland and the Grade 3 Turf Sprint at Churchill. Marchman recently has been racing at Del Mar. He is owned by Martin Racing Stable.

◗ Go Blue Or Go Home and Katie’s Eyes, who finished one-two in the Grade 2 Highlander at Woodbine, will miss the BC Turf Sprint, according to their respective trainers, Reade Baker and Michael Stidham.

◗ Sweet Luca, the winner of the Kentucky Downs Turf Dash, who is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, is a candidate instead for the Grade 2, $300,000 Nearctic on Oct. 18 at Woodbine, said trainer Chris Block.