Final Frontier, Shekky Shebaz likely to see rematch in BC Turf Sprint

ELMONT, N.Y. – Final Frontier and Shekky Shebaz, who have traded decisions in the Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational and Lucky Coin Stakes, are likely to meet again in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Final Frontier finished second to Shekky Shebaz in the Lucky Coin, and flipped the script in the Belmont Turf Sprint, beating that rival by three-quarters of a length. Final Frontier earned a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure.

Tom Albertrani, trainer of Final Frontier, is concerned about cutting back to five furlongs in the Turf Sprint, but said it is likely Final Frontier would run.

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Part-owner Michael Dubb said Shekky Shebaz would definitely start in the Turf Sprint.

“It’s five furlongs,” Dubb said. “We had a six-pound weight shift [with Final Frontier]. Assuming the horse gets in, we’ll go on.”

Neptune’s Storm to Hollywood Derby

Neptune’s Storm, the upset winner of Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Hill Prince Stakes, will most likely make his next start in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Nov. 30, trainer Richard Baltas said.

“I want to space his races a little bit,” Baltas said.

Neptune’s Storm, who ran down A Thread of Blue to win the Hill Prince by three-quarters of a length, earned a career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

– additional reporting by Steve Andersen