Sprint Diary - Brisnet

Last updated: 11/2/06 11:31 AM

SPRINT DIARY

NOVEMBER 2, 2006

by Jordan Strickler

It’s that time of the year again, where all of
our favorite horses get together and have themselves a little race to see who
gets all of the bragging rights back at the barn. In the sprinting portion of
the big day, HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy) should find himself as the likely favorite.

Henny Hughes is unbeaten at the six-furlong Sprint distance
(Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com)

The three-year-old Kiaran McLaughlin trainee has
come out running in his past three starts, winning the Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup S. (G3),
King’s Bishop S. (G1) and Vosburgh S. (G1). However, there is bad news for our speedy hero; almost
every other horse in this contest will be gunning for the early lead, leaving
the door open for a late runner to sneak up for the victory.

I still believe Henny Hughes will be tough to
displace from the winner’s circle, but I’m siding with a horse that has shown a good late kick
this year. SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) is most probable to kick open the back door.

A winner of his last three, Siren Lure came from
seventh to capture the Los Angeles H. (G3), Triple Bend H. (G1) and the Pat
O’Brien Breeders’ Cup H. (G2), earning BRIS Speed Ratings of 101, 104 and 109,
respectively. Forget the fact that he has never been East for a moment and
pay attention to the fact that he has put up good results against first-rate
horses, has been working thoroughly well during his break, and owns a very
formidable late
presence against a very speedy field.

Now that my recommendation for Siren Lure is out
there, let’s get back to Henny Hughes. A major player last year as a
two-year-old, the chestnut rounded out the year with a second-place finish in the
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). He then disappeared to the sands of Dubai, only to
reappear in the States to dominate the Jersey Shore by 10 lengths in July. Ever
since, he has made himself a force to be reckoned with and should be the
deserving favorite here.

BORDONARO (Memo [Chi]) has been supplemented to the Breeders’ Cup and will journey outside of the Golden State
in order to make an argument for sprint champion.
What Henny Hughes has managed to accomplish in the east, Bordonaro has been able
to equal in the West.

A winner of nine of 12 starts, the five-year-old
gelding comes off a score in the Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup S. (G1), capping
off a year where the Bill Spawr trainee emerged victorious in the Count Fleet
Sprint H. (G3) and Sunshine Millions Sprint S. and finished second in the Bing
Crosby H. (G1) after receiving a face full of whip in the final furlong by his
opponent’s jockey, who somehow survived a stewards’ inquiry.

Now is the time where I look through my past
performances and find a horse which might get you a good price, so here he is —
NIGHTMARE AFFAIR (Out of Place). Assuming that the track is fast and that
there are quick early splits as expected, look for the five-year-old gray
to close well. The Florida import was an upset
winner of the Smile Sprint H. (G2) two back and captured a trio of Florida
listed stakes prior to that. He has annexed seven of 10 at six furlongs and
should at least be considered for the exotics.

Selections:		1st-Siren Lure
		2nd-Henny Hughes
		3rd-Bordonaro

Longshot Special:		Nightmare Affair