BC Sprint

A full field of 14 will gather for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill
Downs on Saturday. Highlighting the six-furlong event is HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy), who has
dominated his opponents this year. The three-year-old will face his toughest
test yet and his speed, which normally gets him ahead of the pack and in
the winner’s circle, could work to his disadvantage against this speedy field.
On that note, we will go with SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) and his late kick.

Conditioned by Art Sherman, the five-year-old gelding has annexed the Los
Angeles H. (G3), Triple Bend Invitational H. (G1) and Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) in his last three
while earning BRIS Speed Ratings of 101, 104 and 109, respectively. In his past
four outings, the bay garnered triple-digit BRIS Late Pace figures and should
be found running late if the foreseen quick splits materialize. Alex Solis will
attempt to ride the former turf horse to victory.

Henny Hughes was a major player last year as a juvenile, capturing the
Saratoga Special S. (G2) and running second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
After wintering in Dubai, the chestnut colt came back to prove his worth in the
Sprint division, with a 10-length score in the Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup S.
(G3) and then easily winning the King’s Bishop S. (G1) and Vosburgh S. (G1) last
out. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee should go off as the deserving favorite, but
he could fall prey to a fast pace. John Velazquez has the call.

BORDONARO (Memo [Chi]) is another front runner who could probably enjoy more
success without the other speed in this race. The five-year-old gelding is
coming off a good victory in the Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup S. (G1) most
recently. This came on the heels of a controversial
second in the Bing Crosby H. (G1), in which Bordonaro was inadvertently hit in the face
by an opponent’s whip. Despite that, his opponent was not
taken down after the stewards’ inquiry. Bordonaro has talent and should finish
up well under jockey Patrick Valenzuela.

NIGHTMARE AFFAIR (Out of Place) has a decent late kick. Sixth
in the Forego S. (G1) last out, the Manuel Azpurua trainee had scored four
straight wins prior to that one and has good late speed which should come in handy here. A
winner of seven of 10 outings at six furlongs, the five-year-old gray is
accomplished at three-quarters of a mile and could pay a decent price at 30-1 on
the morning line. Edgar Prado will ride Nightmare Affair off his two-month freshening.

WAR FRONT (Danzig) broke his maiden in this third career start in August 2005, destroying
his foes by 11 1/2 lengths. Since then, he has
finished in the top two in eight of nine starts. This year he posted a win in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) as well as runner-up finishes in the Vosburgh, Forego and Tom Fool H. (G2). The four-year-old bay possesses a wait-and-see style
of running that could put him in the money under rider Jose Santos.

KELLY’S LANDING (Patton) has experienced success at Churchill Downs in the
past, including an impressive, track record-setting victory in the Aristides Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) in
2005, a race in which he finished second earlier this year. The Eddie Kenneally
trainee comes off a good score in the Phoenix Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) over Keeneland’s Polytrack. He could finish up well to hit the board, but might be a
little out of his league for the top prize.

AREYOUTALKINTOME (Smokester) will be coming from off the pace and should
improve his position while passing tiring horses. At 30-1 on the
morning line, he is good to use in the gimmicks, but will be hard pressed to take
the trophy home here. TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano) is just a three-year-old, but has
proven successful this year and if jockey Garrett Gomez can keep him from tiring
early, the gray could surprise some people.

POMEROY (Boundary) was a decisive winner of the Forego at Saratoga.
Unfortunately, we don’t see his front-running style working to his benefit here.
FRIENDLY ISLAND (Crafty Friend) returns to the dirt after finishing a
disappointing seventh on the turf at Belmont. He owns a victory in the Maryland Breeders’
Cup Sprint H. (G3) in May, but looks a little outclassed here.

LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy) managed to earn a spot with the defections of
Commentator (Distorted Humor) and Dubai Escapade (Awesome Again). Trainer Wayne
Catalano has been searching for a place to put his horse in the Breeders’ Cup
and we don’t think the Sprint is the right division for him. THOR’S ECHO (Swiss
Yodeler) normally has to be on or near the lead to emerge victorious, and the
pace might be a little much for him to handle all the way through.

ATTILA’S STORM (Forest Wildcat) will be gunning for the early lead and will
most likely fall victim to the quick early fractions. MALIBU MINT (Malibu Moon)
is the only female here and despite her success this year, her recent numbers
aren’t competitive with those of her male counterparts. We will bet against.

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS:		1st-SIREN LURE
		2nd-HENNY HUGHES
		3rd-BORDONARO