Kopion works quickly ahead of Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Kopion, the winner of three graded stakes for female sprinters from last December to early May, is on schedule for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1 after a quick five-furlong workout in 59.40 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday.
“She wasn’t meant to have a fast work, but she did,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “She’s just going good.”
Rapid workouts have become customary for Kopion in recent weeks. She went a half-mile in 46.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Sept. 24, the quickest of 22 works at the distance that day.
Kopion is best known for an attractive win in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff at seven furlongs at Churchill Downs on May 3. She has been second by 1 1/2 lengths in her last two starts, both against top-class company. She lost to Sweet Azteca in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos on July 5 and to Seismic Beauty in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Aug. 2.
Sweet Azteca is a leading contender for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint, while Seismic Beauty is bound for the BC Distaff the same day.
Kopion, owned by Spendthrift Farm, has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $1,144,700.
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