The race for a spot in next month’s Breeders’ Cup isn’t quite over, as the $350,000 Franklin (G2) at Keeneland, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares on Sunday, might yield a potential starter in the Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.
The three-year-old filly Star of Mystery is a logical candidate to win the Franklin and move on to the World Championships. Defying her relative inexperience, Star of Mystery held her own against world-class competition last winter in Dubai, capturing the Blue Point (G2) and placing in both the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3) and Al Quoz Sprint (G1) versus older males.
Star of Mystery’s two races in the U.S. have also been solid. After finishing a credible third to division heavyweight Cogburn in the Jaipur (G1) in June, Star of Mystery was back in the winner’s circle last out following the Quick Call (G3) against fellow three-year-olds.
Roses for Debra might also be in line for a return trip to the Turf Sprint, in which she ran a dull ninth last year. The gray opened her season account with a win in the Giant’s Causeway (G3) over the Franklin course and distance in April, and then dropped a pair of starts to Future Is Now at Saratoga. But she rebounded over a Tapeta surface last out, taking the Presque Isle Downs Masters (G2) by a neck over Pandora’s Gift.
In addition to Roses for Debra, trainer Christophe Clement also sends Dontlookbackatall, who landed the Caress (G3) at Saratoga prior to running second in the Ladies Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs. European raider Frost At Dawn defeated Star of Mystery in March, while fellow three-year-old Pipsy has never run worse than second sprinting.
