TimeformUS pace analysis: Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

TimeformUS Past Performances include a Pace Projector for each race. This tool tries to predict the position of the field at the official first call of the race. The official first call is after a quarter-mile for races at less than one mile and after a half-mile for races longer than a mile. The Pace Projector also attempts to predict when the pace might be fast or slow based on the composition of the field along with the distance, surface, and field size of the race.

With those things in mind, the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint appears likely to be hotly contested and fast early. Closers usually take the worst of it in horse racing, but this race could be an exception.

Filly and Mare Sprint

The Filly and Mare Sprint is run at seven furlongs on dirt, a distance particularly more friendly to closers than other sprint distances. It has drawn a field of nine, well below the maximum of 14. Despite that, there is plenty of speed entered in the race and a fast pace is pretty much assured with the presence of speedy Serengeti Empress (No. 7). Including her, the field has a total of four horses assigned a TimeformUS Running Style designation of “Leader” or “Speed.” If any of these are able to challenge Serengeti Empress for the lead, it could very well set things up for a late-runner.

Top late threats: Speech, Sconsin, Sally’s Curlin

Click here to get more Breeders' Cup pace analysis as part of DRF's Breeders' Cup Player's Guide. The guide features analysis, selections, a closer look at European shippers, and more.