BREEDERS’ CUP PROFILES
SPRINT
| ATTILA’S STORM | Forest Wildcat–Sweet
Symmetry, by Magesterial |
|
| Owner: | Barry Schwartz, Wachtel
Stable, Double S Stable & Brous Stable |
|
| Breeder: | Lajos Kengye (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Richard Schosberg | |
| Rider: | Pat Valenzuela | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
109, 95, 98 | |
An allowance winner at Monmouth Park last out in early September, sophomore
colt faces a ridiculous class hike in his graded bow and appears unlikely.
| BATTLE WON | Honour and Glory–Call Her,
by Caller I.D. |
|
| Owner: | Jay and Gretchen Manoogian | |
| Breeder: | Glencrest Farm (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Charles Simon | |
| Rider: | Ramon Dominguez | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
97, 105, 104 | |
Five-year-old gelding turned in a terrific performance winning the Churchill
Downs H. (G2) in May and recorded a commendable runner-up finish in the Bing
Crosby H. (G1) at Del Mar. Battle Won didn’t run his best race when second to an
unheralded rival in the Forego S. (G1) two starts back, giving up a clear lead
on the far turn, and faltered when returning to turf with a fifth at 3-5 against
a questionable field in the Woodford S. last out at Keeneland. He needs to turn
things around off his last two efforts, but the dark bay has gone from turf to
dirt successfully before and has the speed to sit a good stalking trip close to
the pace in the Sprint (G1). Battle Won has never finished off the board in
seven starts at six furlongs (3-3-1) and is a threat to bounce back strong in
the Breeders’ Cup.
| ELUSIVE JAZZ | Elusive Quality–Time for
Jazz, by Kentucky Jazz |
|
| Owner: | Stony Oak Farm | |
| Breeder: | Richard Forbush and Richard
Lueck (Ky) |
|
| Trainer: | Bobby Barnett | |
| Rider: | Robby Albarado | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
109, 92, 106 | |
Four-year-old colt notched his first stakes win when making his graded bow in the
six-furlong Phoenix Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) last out, receiving a terrific 109 BRIS Speed rating for the three-length score, and will enter the Sprint (G1) on
the upswing for trainer Bobby Barnett. He’ll face tougher company and will be
making his New York debut in a much different atmosphere, but Elusive Jazz is an
intriguing prospect off his last performance.
| GYGISTAR | Prospector’s Music–Starr
County, by Ogygian |
|
| Owner: | Edward Evans | |
| Breeder: | Edward Evans (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Mark Hennig | |
| Rider: | Javier Castellano | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
102, 100, 109 | |
Five-time Belmont winner likes the track and exits a sharp four-length
tune-up over optional claiming/allowance rivals in late September, but Gygistar
has never been a true six-furlong horse and figures to be seriously tested
against proven sprinters on Saturday. Six-year-old gelding owns a terrific turn
of foot and could come charging late for a share, but Gygistar would be a huge
surprise on top.
| IMPERIALISM | Langfuhr–Bodhavista, by
Pass the Tab |
|
| Owner: | Steve Taub | |
| Breeder: | Farnsworth Farms (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Kristin Mulhall | |
| Rider: | Victor Espinoza | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
89, 103, 99 | |
Imperialism cut back to a sprint and rolled to a three-quarter-of-a-length
win in the Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) two starts back, and the decision
was made to go to the Sprint (G1) following a disappointing showing in the
Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) last out. Gray four-year-old is unplaced in one
previous start at six furlongs and may have too much to do in the stretch on
Saturday, but Imperialism owns a ferocious late kick and might factor into the
top three if the track is favoring closers.
| LIFESTYLE | Indian Charlie–Inlaw, by
Gold Seam |
|
| Owner: | R & R King Stables and
Wesley Ward |
|
| Breeder: | Dr. Robert Fishman (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Wesley Ward | |
| Rider: | Alex Solis | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
102, 99, 96 | |
Winless in three starts this year in entry-level allowance conditions,
the five-year-old is very quick and should boost the early pace for the late
runners. However, Lifestyle doesn’t appear to have any business running in the
Sprint (G1).
| LION TAMER | Will’s Way–Tippecanoe, by
Olympio |
|
| Owner: | Michael Tabor | |
| Breeder: | Paul Smith (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Todd Pletcher | |
| Rider: | John
Velazquez |
|
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
106, 101, 102 | |
Last year’s Cigar Mile H. (G1) winner owns a respectable 3-2-1-0 mark at six
furlongs and came flying through the stretch to finish a close third in the
Vosburgh S. (G1) last time, his first start in five months. Lion Tamer may move
forward off that tightener in the Sprint (G1) and has worked forwardly since
then for Todd Pletcher. A five-time stakes winner, Lion Tamer has won at Belmont
before and has a shot to pull off an upset from off the pace.
| LOST IN THE FOG | Lost Soldier–Cloud Break,
by Dr. Carter |
|
| Owner: | Harry Aleo | |
| Breeder: | Susan Seper (Fl) | |
| Trainer: | Creg Gilchrist | |
| Rider: | Russell Baze | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
109, 109, 114 | |
There’s much to praise about America’s best sprinter. Undefeated from 10
lifetime starts, Lost in the Fog enters the Sprint (G1) with plenty of steam,
winning his last three starts in extremely impressive fashion, and will be a
dominant presence from the start of Saturday’s race. His BRIS Speed ratings are
outstanding, and he’s a proven shipper. The Northern California-based sophomore
hasn’t faced overwhelming competition this year, but he’s accomplished each task
with remarkable flair and appears very special. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him
keep on shining.
| POMEROY | Boundary–Questress, by
Seeking the Gold |
|
| Owner: | Michael Tabor and Derrick
Smith |
|
| Breeder: | Cherry Valley Farm (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Patrick Biancone | |
| Rider: | Gary Stevens | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
97, 117, 99 | |
Loved his front-running score in the A.G. Vanderbilt H. (G2) two starts back,
but Pomeroy missed a scheduled appearance in the Forego S. (G1) a few weeks
later and performed poorly when returning to action in the Vosburgh S. (G1),
never getting into the running and struggling home eighth. Unplaced from his
last two starts at Belmont, the four-year-old has run his best races at Saratoga
and won’t enter the Sprint (G1) on a good note.
| SILVER TRAIN | Old Tieste–Ridden in
Thestars, by Cormorant |
|
| Owner: | Buckram Oak Farm | |
| Breeder: | Joe Mulholland Sr., Joe
Mulholland Jr., et al (Ky) |
|
| Trainer: | Richard Dutrow Jr. | |
| Rider: | Edgar Prado | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
110, 104, 106 | |
Three-year-old disappointed at 6-5 in the Amsterdam S. (G2) two starts back
but bounced back to win the one-mile Jerome H. (G2) in authoritative style last
out, smoking his rivals on the front end and receiving a 110 BRIS Speed rating.
He’s owns a respectable mark at the six-furlong distance (5-1-2-2) and has been
working fast in preparation for the Sprint (G1), but Silver Train will have to
sustain his speed against extreme pace pressure in the Breeders’ Cup.
| TASTE OF PARADISE | Conquistador
Cielo–Tastetheteardrops, by What Luck |
|
| Owner: | David Bloom | |
| Breeder: | Abrahams, Snukai and Bloom
(Ky) |
|
| Trainer: | Gary Mandella | |
| Rider: | Garrett Gomez | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
109, 99, 101 | |
Taste of Paradise earned his first win this year in the Vosburgh S. (G1) last
out, closing from the back of the pack to win by two lengths in his first start
at Belmont, and he’s shown marked improvement in last three races over his first
four starts of the season. Six-year-old has a chance to make an impact from off
the pace again on Saturday, but we have to question whether he can duplicate his
last performance against a much deeper field of sprinters.
| WILDCAT HEIR | Forest Wildcat–Penniless
Heiress, by Pentelicus |
|
| Owner: | New Farm | |
| Breeder: | New Farm (Fl) | |
| Trainer: | Ben Perkins Jr. | |
| Rider: | Stewart Elliott | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
114, 109, 108 | |
Winner of November’s DeFrancis Memorial Dash S. (G1) in his final 2004
appearance, the talented five-year-old has made only one start in 2005, winning the
Teddy Drone S. in early August at Monmouth Park. He earned an excellent BRIS
Speed rating (114) last time and the six-furlong specialist (10-5-4-0 at the
distance) owns a 1-1-0 mark from two attempts at Belmont. Wildcat Heir will
likely be overlooked in the wagering, but he’s won three of his last four starts
and appears to have the ability to challenge for it all with his best effort.
Will he be fit enough off only one start this year?