The 2017 Breeders’ Cup is almost here. The best of the best are set to clash, and it won’t be long now before new Breeders’ Cup winners will be crowned .The quality of the fields in the Breeders’ Cup are unparalleled to any other racing event. Because of this, there are many horses in all of the races that could easily march to victory this weekend. But as we all know, there can only be one winner in each race. Today I want to take a look at the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint because there are a couple of horses in these races that I feel strongly about.
In the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint I really like Unique Bella’s chances, both as a fan and as a handicapper. I don’t like to bet the favorite, but I cannot play against this magnificent filly. I have expected big things from her ever since I saw her pedigree in the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and she has not disappointed. She has a near flawless record, having won five of her six career starts. The one blemish on this striking filly’s record was a runner up effort in her debut as a two year old. Since then, she has been untouchable.
Everything about Unique Bella screams greatness. She is built like an imposing beast, looking more like a robust stallion instead of a young filly. She has a long, commanding stride that she uses to strike fear in her competition. Her undeniable will to win has led her to smashing victory more often than not, and I see another win looming in her future.
Unfortunately, due to shin problems, Unique Bella missed out on some major races earlier in this year. Her layoff only recently ended when she sprang back onto the scene with a win in the L.A. Woman Stakes. In that race, she took on older competition for the first time and beat them all with style. It would be a superlative accomplishment for any horse to overcome shin problems, a layoff, a single prep race, and a win the Breeders’ Cup, but if any horse can pull it off, it’s Unique Bella. A competitive flame burns brightly inside of this majestic thoroughbred and I believe that she will rise to power once again on Saturday, becoming the first three year old in history to win the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
I feel strongly about Unique Bella going all the way in the Filly and Mare Sprint, and I feel strongly that Paulassilverlining will be the runner up. I really like this mare in here. She was on a roll, having won four races in a row, three of which were all from this year. It wasn’t until her last start when her luck ran out. She fell victim to the “Graveyard of Champions”, running a shocking fifth in the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga. I still believe in this horse despite her poor finish. The race was strangely run that day with slow fractions that likely threw Paulassilverlining off her game. It is an effort that I am going to toss because I don’t think it reflects her true ability. Aside from the Ballerina Stakes, Paulassilverlining is a horse with excellent form and a strong finishing kick. I expect this gutsy mare to crash the party in the stretch and get up in time for second.
After Mind Your Biscuits ran second in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Chad Summers declared that he wanted another shot at the victor, Drefong. They got that chance in the Forego Stakes at Saratoga this summer, but it was not the rematch that Summers had anticipated. Mind Your Biscuits ran a disappointing sixth and was never even a threat to Drefong, who obliterated the field. But despite the dull performance by Mind Your Biscuits, I am not ready to give up on him. He was not training well leading up to the Forego. In fact, his trainer almost didn’t enter him in the race because he wasn’t looking like himself at all. For whatever reason, the horse simply wasn’t right, and his easy defeat more than showed that. However, Mind Your Biscuits has since been looking like his old self again. He has been training very forwardly up to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint where he will get another crack at Drefong. This time around I am anticipating a fair rematch.
Mind Your Biscuits is a fun horse to root for. He has a catchy name, a thrilling come from behind racing style, and an impressive list of wins under his belt, including a sublime triumph in the Dubai Golden Shaheen earlier this year. Another endearing fact about this plucky copper colt is the fact that he likes to listen to rap music! It apparently has a calming effect on him, and he has been jamming out to it all week as he prepares for his showdown with Drefong. In a race that will be loaded with speed, I expect Mind Your Biscuits to come flying late in the end to confront Drefong, and they can settle things once and for all.
I am not going to lie, Drefong practically looks like a slam dunk to defend his title in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. This superior sprinter has devastating speed, flashing brilliance in nearly all of his races. The only thing keep this horse from having a perfect record is a fifth place finish in his first race ever, and the fact that he lost jockey Mike Smith in the Bing Crosby Stakes. Other than that, the brazen colt has an impressive collection of six victories. He has looked phenomenal training in the morning for the Breeders’ Cup and I know that he will show up with another giant effort.
It’s hard to say for certain who will emerge on top at the wire in this highly competitive sprint race. After all, these are some of the fastest horses in the world who will be burning down the track on Saturday. But part of me does think that Mind Your Biscuits may finally get the better of the speedy Drefong. However, if he does, it won’t come easily. Drefong is sharp and dangerous, and he will be running with the single thought of victory in mind. It’s no secret that Mind Your Biscuits will have to run the race of his life to catch Drefong on Saturday. His dazzling win in the Dubai Golden Shaheen showed what he is capable of when he’s right. If he can call upon the strength that carried him through that race, he has a live shot to finally get the better of his nemesis. And if Mind Your Biscuits can’t stop Drefong, I don’t think anyone else can either. Drefong is going to be one tough horse to beat come race day. I am anticipating a heart pounding finish that will be decided by Drefong and Mind Your Biscuits, with Takaful and Roy H picking up the pieces behind them.