Sweet Azteca will skip BC Filly and Mare Sprint, trainer says
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Sweet Azteca, the Grade 1 winner recently ranked among the favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, will not be pre-entered, trainer Michael McCarthy said Sunday.
A five-time winner from seven starts, Sweet Azteca finished last as the odds-on favorite in the Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes on Oct. 5 at Santa Anita, the first misfire of her career. McCarthy and owner-breeder Pam Ziebarth postponed a Breeders’ Cup decision until Sweet Azteca resumed training. Sunday morning, it was made official.
“She’s been quiet for the last five or six days,” McCarthy said via text early Sunday morning. “Going to skip BC.”
Sweet Azteca’s midseason form suggested she would be a major player in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. After she defeated Adare Manor in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile, Sweet Azteca backed up to one turn and delivered two of the highest-rated performances by a female sprinter this year.
She scored a five-length victory in the Grade 2 Great Lady M on July 6 at Los Alamitos, earning a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. Sweet Azteca followed with a seven-length romp in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap on Aug. 25 at Del Mar, earning a 101 Beyer.
Future plans for Sweet Azteca are to be determined. Sired by Sharp Azteca, the 4-year-old Sweet Azteca has won five races and $487,200 from seven starts.
The defection of Sweet Azteca from the BC Filly and Mare Sprint softens the pace scenario, which benefits leading FMS contenders Ways and Means and Society.
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