6.37 Churchill Downs
Sentient Jet Breeders´ Cup Sprint (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Dirt)
(3yo+)
Winner: £519,231 Runners: 9 Distance: 6f
Advice: 1 pt win Big Drama (7/2 general)
Euroears: Found new lease of life since being moved to Bob
Baffert, winning the Palo Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita, finishing second to
the Singapore star Rocket Man in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, and romping home in
the Bing Crosby Stakes, never seeing another horse (with his main rival missing
the break); Had his race wrecked at the start when hampered in the Vosburgh and
will do better. 
Giant Ryan: Won his sixth straight race of a remarkable year
when keeping Force Freeze at home in a very good renewal of the Vosbrugh
Stakes, a key trial for this race; Any rain would be a godsend (won all three
times on sloppy or muddy tracks) but massive chance in any case.
Aikenite: Didn’t quite live up to promise shown early on in
juvenile season but had a better time dropped to sprinting, taking back to back
to back Grade 2’s before being well beaten by Jackson Bend twice; Lost out to
an improver giving 4lbs and others preferred. 
Hamazing Destiny: Only had 4 runs since his second to Big
Drama last year, not impressing particularly in any of them (beaten convcingly
twice by Jackson Bend); Great record here (twice second in top class events and
then won conditions even with ease) but doesn’t quite seem in in same form for
this bid.
Jackson Bend: Is now 6 from 6 in sprinting races, including
the Grade 1 Forego over 7 furlongs with plenty to spared from off the pace, a
tactic he should be able to pull off again here; Always at a disadvantage trying
to give weight to Uncle Mo in the Kelso and should go very well here.
Force Freeze: Couldn’t land a blow behind Euroears in the
Shaheen (he was ninth, Euroears second) but back to his best with a comfortable
win at Momeouth and a half length second to Giant Ryan in the Vosbrugh; Needs more.
Amazombie: Deserved win considering consistency of his
sprinting efforts in the Anicent Title, benefitting from freakishly fast
fractions early on; Could have same thing happen here so a contender but others
preferred. 
Big Drama: Deeply impressive when winning this last year
from front and unbeaten in his next two runs since, clocking a ridiculous time
on return in the Mr Prospector Stakes, before winning easily in his prep at
Calder; Not reason why he shouldn’t go close again and despite his ill health
forcing him to miss the Vosburgh, he looks the divisional leader.
Aprority: Runner up in pair of strong Graded races before
missing intended assignment with a sore foot; Well held in Vosbrugh last time
and others readily preferred over him.
VERDICT: I see no reason to desert BIG DRAMA following his
win in this last year – His 2 wins since are of the same speed – and while he
missed his prep in the Vosbrugh, his works suggest everything’s fine and he won
last year off a big break. The clear second choice from this point of view
would be Jackson Bend although any one of 5 could be a serious consideration –
Euroears and Giant Ryan might have more to offer.
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