Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint 2020: Latest Odds & Preview

The competitiveness of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint lies in the hands of trainer Charles Hills.

He is strongly considering sending his star gelding, Battaash, who many consider the top turf sprinter in the world, over from Europe for the race.

Battaash, who has won all three of his starts this year and five out of his last six, would be an overwhelming favorite over a field of primarily American runners that lacks a standout. 

Hills has been contemplating a start in the Turf Sprint since Battaash won the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1), a Breeders' Cup Win & You're In race, but he is even more likely to ship his star after scratching him from the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye due to soft ground.

As good as Battaash is, it is important to note that a European has yet to win the Turf Sprint.

If Battaash does not make an appearance in Kentucky, favoritism could go to Leinster. George Arnold's gelding has notched two Grade 2 wins in a row in the Shakertown and Woodford Stakes, with both wins coming over Keeneland's surface.

Related: See the latest preview & odds for Breeders' Cup races:

Classic, Distaff, Dirt Mile, Turf, Sprint, Juvenile, FM Sprint, FM Turf

Imprimis is another gelding who could take serious action. Last year's Shakertown winner regained his best form when crossing the finish line first in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga. He was disqualified to third that day, but had no such problems when winning the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3) in his most recent start.

Fillies and mares have had tremendous success in the Turf Sprint, including Belvoir Bay in last year's edition. Got Stormy, Oleksandra, Kimari, Glass Slippers and Jolie Olimpica are among the talented ladies who could look to continue this trend. 

2019 Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Got Stormy did not look like the same horse in 2020 that she was at the end of 2019 until Mark Casse decided to shorten her up to sprints. She dominated the Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (G3) and got up just in time to get a win over the track in last week's Franklin County (G3). 

Additional Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint updates

• Peter Miller, who has won three Breeders' Cup Turf Sprints in a row, confirmed to HRN that he will run Texas Wedge and Bulletproof One in this year's race.

• Oleksandra went over three months without a workout following her win in the Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, but appears back on track for the Turf Sprint with three works in the last ten days.

• Following Diamond Oops' win in the Phoenix (G2), trainer Patrick Biancone said he would "flip a coin" to determine if he would run his dual surface stakes winner in the Sprint or Turf Sprint.

• Prix de l'Abbaye (G1) winner Wooded seems unlikely to make the trip to America for the Turf Sprint, but runner up Glass Slippers is being considered according to trainer Kevin Ryan.

• John Sadler told HRN that Chaos Theory will remained stabled at Keeneland until the Breeders' Cup following his fourth-place finish in the Woodford (G2) and he is possible to run.

• Wesley Ward's Bound for Nowhere has not worked since Sep. 19, putting his status for the Turf Sprint in doubt.

Who's already going: Leinstar, Imprimis, Got Stormy, Oleksandra, Extravagrant Kid, Front Run the Fed, Texas Wedge, Bulletproof One

Who could be going: Battaash, Diamond Oops, Glass Slippers, Kimari, Jolie Olimpica, Wildman Jack, Chaos Theory, Guildsman, Big Runnuer