The Galloping Hat Rack

My weakest link in handicapping has been sprints and turf goings are harder to figure out than dirt, so I’m especially at a loss figuring out the Turf Sprint (I), which was the only race in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Saturday to be won by the favorite (Regally Ready). There isn’t much of a definitive favorite by my last check this year, so we’re all just going to have scramble to pick out a good one on our own. Contenders are:

• California Flag - The 8-year-old Avenue of Flags gelding was hard to catch in his only start of the year under the same conditions in a G3. He suffered a bad trip in last year’s Turf Sprint where he was checked out of contention early. Has been working super.
• Next Question* - The Stormy Atlantic gelding proved best in his duel in the Nearctic (I) to improve vastly and looks to get his 3rd straight win here.
• Mizdirection - The darling of the west, the gray Mizzen Mast filly will be right at home under her usual dominating conditions, losing for the first time this year by 1 ¼ lengths last out. No reason not to favor her with no lifetime off-the-board finishes in 11 starts.
• Corporate Jungle - The Giant’s Causeway colt takes a cutback from his usual mile fare and has won 3 times this year out of 7 tries. He comes off a pair of clunkers won by Wise Dan, one over yielding ground the other he got squeezed and tired.
• Bridgetown - Pletcher-trained Speightstown son has jumped in the improvement department recently winning a turf sprint at Saratoga then a G3 at Keeneland in a determined drive from the middle of the pack.
• Great Mills - The War Front colt and Asmussen trainee stretches out a bit from his usual 5 to 5 ½ furlong fare and likes to be near the front. A winner just once this year out of 6 starts, he looked willing last out losing a length to Bridgetown and hopes the turf here is fast.
• Unbridled’s Note - The Unbridled’s Song sophomore surged to win the Eddie Read (III) under the same conditions last out, proving he’s as good on the green as he is on dirt.
• Upgrade - 2-for-6 this year and a consistent runner, the Saint Liam gelding takes a cutback in distance. He improved nicely last out to just lose the head bob in the 7-furlong Rob N Gin Stakes at Belmont, but is often incapable when he encounters higher class horses.
• Great Attack - The son of Greatness gets a little more running room from his usual 5 furlong showings, which is good being that he’ll be closing into it. Consistent with one off-the-board run in 4 starts this year, he’ll be eyeing a closing move on a fast pace.
• Reneesgotzip - Likely to start here instead of the F&M Sprint, the City Zip daughter has been dominant this year as a Cali sprinter, winning 3 and placing in 2 races with a total of 6 starts. She got locked into a duel last out to be 7th. Despite this being her turf debut, she is undefeated on synthetic and at this distance.
• Camp Victory - The Forest Camp gelding broke through this year on synthetic with his first G1 at 7 furlongs. However, that was his only win this year and while his figures look good, he will need a good day and the right setup to get the win.
• Starspangledbanner [AUS] - Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Choisir [AUS] son is winless in 3 starts this year, missing by a half-length 2 starts back and was eased in the stretch last out in the Prix de la Foret [FR-I]. He has not shown his old form this year, but was a G1 winner last year sprinting on the turf overseas.
• Tale of a Champion - 4-for-7 this year, the Tale of the Cat colt is hit-or-miss but can run to win almost anywhere in the pack. He’s been working well, but class is a question as he was nowhere to be found in his two graded attempts.
• Chosen Miracle - He won once and placed 2nd twice in 3 starts this year, running close to some favorites in this race. He likes to be close to the front, and being by the red-hot Ghostzapper doesn’t hurt the Hollendorfer trainee’s chances.
• Boxeur des Rues - The Smart Strike colt is winless in 9 starts this year, his best being a place in a 1-mile January allowance at Santa Anita. He’s tried everything since there and is out of his league here.

I’ll give my top 3 picks and value pick for the Turf Sprint (I) next week.

Great Attack - The potential for a speed duel is likely, and this horse has been quick on his feet to close

California Flag - On a speed-biased Santa Anita, the gelding looks good for a wire-to-wire effort

Bridgetown - This Speightstown boy (whose sire has been kind to me winners-wise this year!) looks like he finally gets it and has been blossoming at the turf sprint

Chosen Miracle - He’s knocking on the door for a win

Mizdirection - Super filly has the home track advantage and talent to win here