D'Angelo: Shisospicy will have 2026 debut at Churchill Downs

Trainer Jose D'Angelo said champion female sprinter Shisospicy will make her 2026 debut in the Grade 2 Unbridled Sidney on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

The 4-year-old Mitole filly won five of seven starts last year, capped by the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, her most recent start. But she missed a planned trip to Saudi Arabia for the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) because of an infection. She also was nominated for Sunday's Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland.

Shisospicy has been firing bullets at Palm Meadows, most recently breezing four furlongs from the gate Saturday in 46.7 seconds, fastest of 70 at the distance.

D'Angelo's Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Bentornato is headed to Churchill for training, D'Angelo said, with a goal of starting in the True North (G3) at Saratoga on June 6.

Bentornato opened his 2026 campaign with a runner-up finish March 28 in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).

D'Angelo does have one runner in a stakes at Keeneland this weekend, as Twirling Queen is entered in the Giant's Causeway.

After five wins from seven starts in 2024, Twirling Queen managed only an allowance win last year. But in her most recent start, she led at every call in winning the black-type Captiva Island on March 14 at Gulfstream Park.

“She is doing very well,” D’Angelo said via text Wednesday morning. “That is why we decided to go to Keeneland for this race.”

Luis Saez, who has been aboard for Twirling Queen’s past two victories, has the mount from post 3.

“I really like the post,” D’Angelo said. “I think we will be all right.”