DRF/Nicole Russo: BC Turf Sprint: Add Celestine to the mix
Add another name to the hat for what is likely to be an overflow group of pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint when that deadline comes Monday. Grade 1 winner Celestine is now expected to cut back in distance for that event, her connections told the Keeneland communications staff after she worked this morning (more on that work, and other Kentucky Breeders' Cup contenders, from Marty McGee here).
In her two most recent starts, Celestine won the Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont, then was third (behind Photo Call and champion Tepin) in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland, both races at a mile. But in three starts at less than a mile on turf last year, she won twice (at seven furlongs and five furlongs) and was second once. The Turf Sprint is contested at 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita's idiosyncratic downhill course.
"She won a seven-furlong race at Belmont and she showed a lot of speed at Gulfstream when she broke her maiden and won a little overnight stakes," assistant trainer Rodolphe Brisset said. "We feel pretty comfortable shortening her up. She bounced back really, really good from [the First Lady]."
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