Wavell Avenue fires bullet for Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

ELMONT, N.Y. – Though Wavell Avenue was a 10-1 shot entering last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, trainer Chad Brown had a good feeling about her chances because of the way she was training heading into the race.

His feeling was correct, as Wavell Avenue got up in late stretch to win the race by 1 3/4 lengths over the New York-bred La Verdad, who had defeated her five weeks earlier in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom.

Wavell Avenue is only 1 for 6 this year entering the Filly and Mare Sprint next Saturday at Santa Anita, but she is giving Brown a good feeling about her chances after working a half-mile in 47.19 seconds Saturday morning over the Belmont main track. It was the fastest of 40 breezes at the distance.

“That was a very easy work for her,” Brown said. “I think she’s coming into this race the way she came into last year’s – getting good at the right time.”

Wavell Avenue, working by herself following the 8:45 a.m. renovation break, went off in a quick 23.46 seconds. Brown, via two-way radio, told his rider that the move was going too fast and asked him to sit on her to the wire.

“She did it with her ears up and easy as she could,” Brown said. “I was thrilled with the work. She’s sitting on a big one a week out.”

Brown will also run Irish Jasper in the Filly and Mare Sprint. Irish Jasper, the winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes in her most recent outing, worked four furlongs Saturday in 49.56 seconds in company with the 2-year-old You’re to Blame, a recent maiden-race winner.

“She’s not quite as good a work horse,” Brown said of Irish Jasper. “She’s doing well, maintained her form well since her last race.”

• A Lot, Brown’s horse for the Turf Sprint, went a half-mile in 49.55 seconds over the Belmont main track Saturday. Green Mask, another contender for the Turf Sprint, went a half-mile in 50.50 seconds over the Belmont turf course.