BC NOTEBOOK: Sprint, F&M Sprint, Turf Sprint, Dirt Mile -- FIELDS SET

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by jms62

Does anyone know what the distance will be this year for the Turf Sprint? Also can someone explain to me why Filly and Mare Sprint is 7.0 Fr and the Sprint is 6.0? Isn't 6.0 kind of universal distance for sprint

Turf Sprint will be 5.5.

I think the distances were meant to differentiate the two a bit. All of the biggest F&M Sprint races during the year are at 7fs (Madison, Humana Distaff, Ballerina, La Brea) with the Princess Rooney (now a G2) being the only exception. I think the F&M sprint distance rationale just followed that lead.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I think the distances were meant to differentiate the two a bit. All of the biggest F&M Sprint races during the year are at 7fs (Madison, Humana Distaff, Ballerina, La Brea) with the Princess Rooney (now a G2) being the only exception. I think the F&M sprint distance rationale just followed that lead.

It will be interesting, with some notable defections from the Sprint, to see if any female sprinters will opt for that race. To me, there is a huge chasm between 6f and 7f when it comes to sprinting.

For example, would horses like Meafara, Xtra Heat, Very Subtle, Safely Kept, and Soviet Problem have stuck with their own sex going 7f had there been a FM Sprint back in the 80s and 90s?

Considering she ran off (supposedly anyways) in her last start, wouldn't Taris possibly take a long look at the Sprint?

[Kasept]

Limousine Liberal looks sharp after the break at Keeneland
By Mike Welsch

LIMOUSINE LIBERAL, runner-up behind the sensational 3-year-old sprinter Runhappy in the Grade 1 King's Bishop at Saratoga, topped a group of seven potential Breeders' Cup starters who worked after the harrows on a cool, clear Friday morning at Keeneland.

Limousine Liberal broke off at the 5/8's pole, ran past the Todd Pletcher team of RACE DAY and CURALINA as they began their drill at the half-mile pole and readily pulled away down the stretch, completing his final four furlongs in 47.40 for trainer Ben Colebrook.

Curalina was one of three Pletcher B Cup hopefuls to work after the break, going an easy half-mile in 48.47 while a head better than Race Day. Pletcher also sent out 2-year-old turfers THRILLED and AZAR to work a half-mile on the main track in 49.33 with a strong gallop out.

Hopeful winner RALIS went a solo 5/8's in 1:00.19, going out an opening 3/8's in 35.39 before tiring some to the wire while chasing an Eoin Harty team much of the way. STICKSTATELYDUDE(four furlongs in 48.23) and FRIVOLOUS also worked after the break.

[Kasept]

DAVE GRENING: Palace and La Verdad, both pre-entered in Breeders' Cup races, have been entered in NY-bred stakes Sat. Rice said she has decisions to make..