Ward may test Kimari vs. boys in Breeders' Cup Sprint

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Trainer Wesley Ward’s original thought after watching Kimari rally to a half-length victory, despite a bit of a slow start, over Frank’s Rockette in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss here last week was to put her on a path that would lead to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

But after assessing the situation a bit further, Ward may have more ambitious plans on Breeders’ Cup weekend for the daughter of Munnings, who far and away earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105 for her performance in the six-furlong Honorable Miss.

“Right now the plan is to probably bring her back in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes [Oct. 8 at Keeneland] and if all were to go well there, I’m going to push to run her against the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint,” said Ward.

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“Look, I know Jackie’s Warrior is great. But her numbers the other day, both her Beyer and on the sheets, were phenomenal. They put her right in the game, and I’d really prefer to run her six furlongs rather than seven in the Filly and Mare Sprint. And the race will be on my home court [Keeneland].”