BC Filly & Mare Sprint

BREEDERS’ CUP
PREVIEWS

The $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) attracted defending champ VENTURA
(Chester House), who dusted her foes a year ago for trainer Bobby Frankel from
post 11 and figures to relish her outermost post here. Fresh off a win in the
Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) on September 20, the talented five-year-old looks as
strong as she did in 2008, and while she might have a tougher foe to knock off
this season, she’s still the top choice. The Juddmonte homebred has a potent
turn of foot, registering a scintillating 126 BRIS Late Pace rating last year,
and should be rolling in the final furlongs under Garrett Gomez.

INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) is our 1A pick in here for Jonathan Sheppard,
as she’s perfect in six tries over synthetic surfaces, including a win over
Ventura in the seven-furlong Madison (G1). The gray four-year-old reminds us
some of Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the way that it seems that there will
never be too much ground for her to make up in the stretch, and her BRIS numbers
are outstanding. The Kentucky-bred filly has had a perfect pair of shorter preps
to ready her for this grand stage, and if the likely favorite slips even a
little, Julien Leparoux and this miss will be waiting.

SEVENTH STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) is a candidate to buck the growing trend
and win a race of this caliber in her all-weather debut. A classy, multiple
Grade 1 winner from the connections of Godolphin, the well-bred chestnut seems
perfectly suited to this seven-furlong trip and should get first run on the
closers with her best, but we’re just not sure if that will be enough to hold
off the big two. We loved her win last time over a muddy track (108 BRIS Speed
rating), and Rajiv Maragh will be back to guide the ultra-talented
four-year-old. We will definitely spread with her on our tickets.

Unknown import ONLY GREEN (Ire) (Green Desert) is a multiple stakes queen who
looks in deep against these, but we’ve learned over the years not to take horses
of this caliber lightly on the biggest days. The bay filly has already put in
nine starts in 2009 and looks a bit out of sorts in this field, but she won her
last and gets Lasix for this. The sophomore hails from expert connections, and
we’ll use on the bottom of the gimmicks with Olivier Peslier.

Likely pace presence FREE FLYING SOUL (Quiet American) drew the rail and
could lead the way early for Bruce Headley. The Kentucky-bred bay crushed a nice
one last out and is perfect in three tries over this oval, so we don’t agree
with her 50-1 morning line. The four-year-old has a chance to round out some
gimmicks with her best.

SARA LOUISE (Malibu Moon) has never run poorly and comes in off a pair of
superb efforts, posting BRIS Speed figures of 105 on each occasion.
The Godolphin colorbearer is undoubtedly a talent and could challenge the top
pair late if she takes to the Pro-Ride, but that’s too much of an if for us.
Frankie Dettori will guide the obvious exotics contender.

Grade1 heroine GAME FACE (Menifee) was a useful fourth in the
ultra-competitive Presque Isle Masters S. (G3) last out in her synthetic debut,
which gave some hope to those in her corner. The accomplished chestnut will
probably be a big overlay in this one, but we still can’t see her being a
serious factor. Edgar Prado has the call. Standout sophomore EVITA ARGENTINA
(Candy Ride [Arg]) took the San Vicente S. (G2) against the boys on this surface
but is stepping up severely in class. It’s hard for us to endorse her with the
likely lack of pace signed on. SILVER SWALLOW (Alphabet Soup) is commendable in
the fact that she always packs a punch late for Headley, but she may be too slow
to challenge against these rivals.