Breeders' Cup Sprint: Full Field Analysis

Leading up to the Breeders’ Cup, the sprint division has been searching for a definitive leader. 2013 has lacked the star power of previous years but that doesn't mean we can't make some serious money in this race!

The field for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint is loaded with horses that want the lead or want to be forwardly placed. The Santa Anita “Super Highway” has been speed favoring all week and pretty much all year for that matter but with literally 6 or 7 horses vying for the lead I could see a serious pace melt down which could set up for a long shot closing from the clouds.

Let’s meet the field for the 2013 Breeders' Cup Sprint.

#1. Justin Phillip ML – 4/1.The Zayat Stable owned 5 year old son of First Samurai is in the best form of his life.  The Steve Asmussen charge has won 3 races in 9 starts in 2013 and over $600,000 in purse money.  His win in the Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga was ultra-impressive. He followed it up with two strong finishes in a pair of grade I (Forego, Vosburgh) races in his last two starts.  The main obstacle for Justin Phillip will be the rail. He could get shuffled back early on with a lot of dirt hitting him the face. He is also winless in 3 starts at Santa Anita. I would beware of taking a short price come Saturday.

#2. The Lumber Guy ML - 12/1. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up has been anything but stellar this year, in fact, he’s been down- right disappointing.  The Michael Hushion trainee seemed to show signs of life at Saratoga when he finished second to the talented NY Bred Palace in an overnight stake. Jockey Mike Luzzi will have his hands full keeping The Lumber Guy close early with all the speed to his outside.

#3. Gentlemen’s Bet ML – 8/1. Gentlemen’s Bet is a horse that gives it his all every time he pops the gate. He’s very quick out of the gate but has shown the ability to rate.  The 4 year old son of Half Ours has only finished off the trifecta once in his career and that was in his last start where he finished 4^th to fellow Breeders’ Cup Sprint contenders Sum of the Parts and Laugh Track in the Phoenix stakes (G3) at Keeneland.  He has a puncher’s chance here!

#4. Majestic Stride ML – 20/1. The lightly raced son of Trippi will be making only his 3^rd start in 2013. The Jeff Bonde charge has only lost once sprinting but has yet to win a stake. He finished 5^th in the 2012 Southwest stakes (G3) to Castaway in his only stakes try. He has a shot with the speed favoring track but I’ll take my bet elsewhere.

#5. Sum of the Parts ML – 12/1. 2013 has been an off year to say the least for Sum of the Parts. His win in the Phoenix stakes (G3) was his first victory in 4 starts this year. He was very consistent in 2012 and even finished a good 4^th in last year Breeders’ Cup Sprint but you can’t get past the fact he’s just not the quickest horse in the race.

#6. Bahamian Squall ML – 10/1. Trainer David Fawkes and jockey Louis Saez team up with Bahamian Squall. He has a nice tactical running style and gets a decent post. He’s been beaten by others in this race but I think he’s sitting on a good run. He could hit the board at a square price.

#7. Private Zone ML – 3/1. Private Zone is lightning in a bottle for trainer Doug O’Neill. He gets top jockey Joel Rosario in the irons. His speed is his best asset and he’s used it well in his last two races with victories in the Pirates Bounty and the Vosburgh (G1). Private Zone will take a lot of money and deservedly so, but I will be taking a stand against him. He’s yet to close the deal at Santa Anita. No short price favorite for me!

#8. Fast Bullet ML – 6/1. The “Coach” sends out another Breeders’ Cup competitor in Fast Bullet. Just like his name the “Bullet” is very fast. He’s 4 for 6 in his career and 1 for 2 at Santa Anita.  He will need to break well and maybe even rate to have a chance at beating this field. His 1 win at Santa Anita was very impressive so if he could relax he could be very dangerous.

#9. Secret Circle ML – 4/1. Secret Circle might be the most talented horse in the race.  He’s making only his second start since his second place finish to Bodemeister in last year’s Arkansas Derby (G1). Secret Circle is undefeated sprinting and he has a great running style for this race. He gets a perfect post position just outside of the serious speed threats. Bob Baffert and Martin Garcia could find themselves in the winner’s circle if Secret Circle comes to play Saturday.

#10. Wine Police ML – 30/1. Henry Dominguez sends out this 30-1 bomb. The son of Speightstown is not without a shot. He’s 5 for 11 in his career with a good running style. He will definitely need to run the race of his career but if he does he could hit the board at huge odds. I will be using him in the exotics!

#11. Trinniberg ML – 8/1. Last year’s Sprint Champion has been border line embarrassing since his victory last year. He’s coming into this race off a 22 length defeat in the Santa Anita Sprint Challenge (G1). He will need to wake up big time to compete in this race and prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. 

#12. Laugh Track ML – 20/1. The Mark Cassee trainee had a troubled trip while finishing second to Sum of the Parts in the Phoenix. He was squeezed and bumped at the start but still showed a strong closing kick. All of his wins have come north of the border. He will need to prove he can win on regular dirt.