Battaash to sit out Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

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Battaash, undefeated in England this year, will not ship to Keeneland for the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

The Racing Post reports that trainer Charlie Hills confirmed the decision, saying, "he's finishing the year on a high, and we'll keep him safe and sound for next season, which we're already looking forward to."

One factor in the decision, he said, is the uncertainty of the track condition for the Turf Sprint.

Considered by many to be the top turf sprinter in the world, Battaash is a 6-year-old gelded son of Dark Angel and likely would have been the heavy favorite for the Turf Sprint. He won the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at Ascot in June, the King George Qatar Stakes (G2) in July and the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York in August.

Owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rishid Al Maktoum, he has a career record of 23: 13-2-3 and career winnings of $2.3 million.

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