Turf Sprint
51⁄2 furlongs turf, 3YO and up, $1 million (12:38 p.m.)
Since the inception of this race a decade ago, it seems that every Breeders’ Cup venue has had its own unique turf sprint course and Churchill Downs, with its long stretch, is no exception. That should make this a very wide open contest worthy of a deep spread in the multi-race wagers. The top three finishers from last year’s race all return: Defending champ Stormy Liberal confounded us last year because we thought he was a Santa Anita downhill specialist shifting to a flat 5F at Del Mar. But he won twice more at that distance at Del Mar this summer before taking the Eddie D on the downhill. However, he could be a California homer; although he ran a good second at Dubai, he did nothing in two trips to New York. Last year’s runnerup, Cal-bred Richard’s Boy, is winless in six starts since then. But the 2017 third-place finisher, Disco Partner, really fits well here. He’s in top form after a dominating win in the Belmont Turf Sprint and he’ll in a perfect spot to kick home when the early leaders start to tire. But he loses points if the ground is soft. Two horses of the female persuasion could make their presence felt in their first attempts against males – 6YO mare Chanteline, who’s in the best form of her career and posted a 104 Beyer figure in the Smart and Fancy at Saratoga, and Ruby Notion, a pace stalker who has won two straight. She would appreciate soft going. Bucchero, winner of Keeneland’s Woodford at this distance, is a capable veteran turf sprinter who finished a close-up fourth at generous odds in this last year. Late running Will Call, who just missed catching Bucchero in the Woodford, is 2-for-2 on the Churchill turf and quite capable of turning the tables here if he can catch a fast early pace. So who supplies that early speed? Start with 3YO World of Trouble, a frontrunning fool who has won twice since being switched to turf sprints. He has won on yielding turf. Conquest Tsunami does his best running on Santa Anita’s downhill course and could have trouble getting the lead breaking from the far outside. Richard’s Call is also capable of pace pressure. Former claimer Hembree may find the distance too short. Besides World of Trouble, Jason Servis sends out a pair of turf sprint veterans in 8YO stretchrunner Rainbow Heir and the pace stalking Vision Perfect. Only two Europeans are signed up in a race that doesn’t suit their style – Havana Gray, who won a Group 1 5-furlong event in Ireland, and Aidan O’Brien’s 3YO Lost Treasure who raced an incredible seven times in eight weeks from August 26 to October 19. Insta Erma is an also-eligible.
Turf Sprint Selections
1st– DISCO PARTNER
2nd– CHANTELINE
3rd – RUBY NOTION
Longshot – WILL CALL
51⁄2 furlongs turf, 3YO and up, $1 million (12:38 p.m.)
Since the inception of this race a decade ago, it seems that every Breeders’ Cup venue has had its own unique turf sprint course and Churchill Downs, with its long stretch, is no exception. That should make this a very wide open contest worthy of a deep spread in the multi-race wagers. The top three finishers from last year’s race all return: Defending champ Stormy Liberal confounded us last year because we thought he was a Santa Anita downhill specialist shifting to a flat 5F at Del Mar. But he won twice more at that distance at Del Mar this summer before taking the Eddie D on the downhill. However, he could be a California homer; although he ran a good second at Dubai, he did nothing in two trips to New York. Last year’s runnerup, Cal-bred Richard’s Boy, is winless in six starts since then. But the 2017 third-place finisher, Disco Partner, really fits well here. He’s in top form after a dominating win in the Belmont Turf Sprint and he’ll in a perfect spot to kick home when the early leaders start to tire. But he loses points if the ground is soft. Two horses of the female persuasion could make their presence felt in their first attempts against males – 6YO mare Chanteline, who’s in the best form of her career and posted a 104 Beyer figure in the Smart and Fancy at Saratoga, and Ruby Notion, a pace stalker who has won two straight. She would appreciate soft going. Bucchero, winner of Keeneland’s Woodford at this distance, is a capable veteran turf sprinter who finished a close-up fourth at generous odds in this last year. Late running Will Call, who just missed catching Bucchero in the Woodford, is 2-for-2 on the Churchill turf and quite capable of turning the tables here if he can catch a fast early pace. So who supplies that early speed? Start with 3YO World of Trouble, a frontrunning fool who has won twice since being switched to turf sprints. He has won on yielding turf. Conquest Tsunami does his best running on Santa Anita’s downhill course and could have trouble getting the lead breaking from the far outside. Richard’s Call is also capable of pace pressure. Former claimer Hembree may find the distance too short. Besides World of Trouble, Jason Servis sends out a pair of turf sprint veterans in 8YO stretchrunner Rainbow Heir and the pace stalking Vision Perfect. Only two Europeans are signed up in a race that doesn’t suit their style – Havana Gray, who won a Group 1 5-furlong event in Ireland, and Aidan O’Brien’s 3YO Lost Treasure who raced an incredible seven times in eight weeks from August 26 to October 19. Insta Erma is an also-eligible.
Turf Sprint Selections
1st– DISCO PARTNER
2nd– CHANTELINE
3rd – RUBY NOTION
Longshot – WILL CALL
