2013 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Weekly News & Notes
The connections of Phil’s Dream, winner of the “Win and You’re In” Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine on 10/13, have decided to pass on a trip to California next month, since he is not Breeders’ Cup nominated. This is rather disappointing considering none of the other 3 automatic qualifiers (Black Caviar, Jwala and Pointsoffthebench) will be contesting the Turf Sprint, though Pointsoffthebench will be in the Sprint.
Boat Trip, 2nd last out in Santa Anita’s Eddie D Stakes, worked 4 furlongs handily in 48.40 seconds over the Santa Anita main track on 10/13.
The winner of the Grade 1 King’s Bishop, Capo Bastone, will make his first grass start in the Turf Sprint. The 3-year-old son of Street Boss has been working every 7 days with his last drill being a 5-furlong breeze in 1:00.67 over the Belmont dirt training track on 10/19.
Caracortado was a close fourth last out in the Eddie D off a 20-month layoff. He’s been working steadily, with his last being 6 furlongs in 1:12.20 handily over the Santa Anita main track on 10/19.
Eddie D winner, Chips All In, was last seen working 5 furlongs over the Santa Anita turf on 10/19 in 1:00.60.
Great Mills is still being considered for the Turf Sprint after a 10th place finish in Keeneland’s Woodford Stakes on 10/5. He bounced back from that disappointing effort with 2 works this week: a 4-furlong breeze in 51.40 on 10/14 & a 5-furlong breeze in 1:02 on 10/21, both over Churchill Downs main track.
Havelock returned from his European vacation last summer with a resounding win in the Woodford Stakes. Since that effort, Havelock got back to work with a 4-furlong breeze over the Churchill Downs training track in 50 seconds on 10/20.
Jeranimo has not raced down the hill, but is a multiple graded stakes winner over the Santa Anita lawn. In preparation for his return to racing's biggest stage, the 7-year-old veteran worked 4 furlongs in 48.40 on the Santa Anita main track on 10/13.
Last year’s champion, Mizdirection, has not been to the races since June, but has been working like a machine the last few months in preparation of a title defense. Her last work was a sizzling 7-furlongs in 1:24.00 over the Santa Anita lawn.
East Coast contender, Tightend Touchdown, last worked 3 furlongs in 38.16 breezing over the Belmont training track.
Tour Guide, 3rd to Havelock last out, is being considered for the Turf Sprint and had 2 breezes in the last week at Churchill Downs (4 fur. 50.40 on 10/13 & 5 fur. 1:01.00 on 10/21).
Unbridled’s Note, runner up to Mizdirection in 2012, is tuning up at Santa Anita with a 5-furlong work in 1:00.20 handily over the main track on 10/14.