Originally Posted by Kasept (Post 1079772)

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]."

Originally Posted by Kasept (Post 1080062)

LIVING THE LIFE & PAID UP SUBSCRIBER both out of F&M Sprint opening slots for ENCHANTING LADY & GOMO..

If CURALINA goes in Distaff, Leah Gyarmati says she would ship WONDER GAL in for race..

Originally Posted by Kasept (Post 1079201)

Zacney/Servis say Cathryn Sophia will pass on Cup after modest work. Goes through sales ring in November. Not sure yet if it's as broodmare only or racing/broodmare prospect.

Originally Posted by jms62 (Post 1080298)

Just a question. Would Santa Anita be able to configure a 5 or 5.5 fr Turf sprint course on their main turf course?

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up (Post 1080323)

Could they, sure, no reason to.

Originally Posted by Kasept (Post 1080367)

GUN RUNNER nearly certain for Dirt Mile..

Originally Posted by Kasept (Post 1079120)

Originally Posted by RHT2004 (Post 1080374)

Why is Mike Smith off Drefong?

Originally Posted by RHT2004 (Post 1080334)

Where else is it 6.5 anywhere that can goes 5 or 5.5

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up (Post 1080399)

not sure what to say, the 6.5 down the hill is a great race and gives a fair shot to all in my opinion.

Originally Posted by jms62 (Post 1080412)

Haven't most of the winners had prior experience running down the hill at 6.5 not sure I would consider that a fair shot. Unfortunately I don't think there is anything that Breeders Cup could do but in my Perfect World distances would be standard for all Breeders cup races and if a track couldn't meet those standards they would not be in the rotation. I know that is a pipe dream. Now after my saying this you can pretty much guarantee this Sat the winner will have no prior experience down the hill;).

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up (Post 1080419)

There is no "Turf Sprint Champion" so the only thing we are doing is putting on a great betting event and exciting race. You can overcome trouble at that trip, win on the lead, win from behind. Thats all I am looking for in this gimmick race.

It should not even be part of the rotation in my opinion. I am old like that, the 7 races until like 2007 are the ones that are BC races to me.

Originally Posted by -BT- (Post 1080496)

Am i the only one not sold on Drefong?
Kings Bishop Win

* restircted 3 YO race
* no pressure up front
* speed favoring track that day
* off since late August

Having said that, he's going against established older sprinters, and is 3rd choice over AP Indian? He's never EVER been this deep, and i think that baffert/speed is propping this one up.

-bt-

Originally Posted by -BT- (Post 1080496)

Am i the only one not sold on Drefong?
Kings Bishop Win

* restircted 3 YO race
* no pressure up front
* speed favoring track that day
* off since late August

Having said that, he's going against established older sprinters, and is 3rd choice over AP Indian? He's never EVER been this deep, and i think that baffert/speed is propping this one up.

-bt-