Breeders' Cup 2012 - Turf Sprint

8.57 Santa Anita

Breeders´ Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £348,387

Advice: 1 pt win Unbridled’s Note (5/1 general), 1 pt win Mizdirection (9/1 general)

California Flag: Course specialist if ever there was one, having won 5 of his seven starts over this course and distance, including the 2009 renewal when staged here; Retains his ablity judged on Grade 3 win here in April but off since and surely going to have head put to the gun too early to last home.

Camp Victory: Second to Regally Ready in April 2011, showing that he’s effective over this C&D; Was getting 6lbs that day though and no turf wins in anything but minor company; Grade 1 Polytrack win gives hope, but not enough despite being a hold up horse.

Great Mills: One of many horses who will chase what’s sure to be a furious early pace here, but -0-8 in Graded races, unplaced all the times he’s tackled fields of 11 or more, and beaten fair and square by Bridgetown when last seen; This his course debut, so doesn’t make obvious appeal.

Tale Of A Champion: First time blinkers for late blooming four year old who gave a couple of these first run when behind Unbridled’s Note and Chosen Miracle latest; Should enjoy this pace, but exposed already and others make more appeal.

Next Question: Turned around wayward streak to win 7f Optional Belmont claimer and then found more and more to win the Nearctic Stakes at Woobdine latest; Very weak race for the level though and will be taken on for the lead hard here, so others make much more appeal.

Upgrade: Winner of the Grade 3 Jaipur Stakes (got 4lbs from runner up, who has bits and pieces of solid form since coming over from France); Needs much more here but closing style makes him of interest.

Reneesgotzip: Unable to go the pace when pushing hot early fractions in Grade 1 trial for the Sprint here and this first Turf start on race which is chock full of early speed; Others preffered.

Great Attack: Of major interest strictly based on his come from behind style win when giving 2lbs to Bridgetown and beating him in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint back in May; Only worry is that he’s never won above 5.5f f and this will certainly stretch his stamina.

Bridgetown: Second in the 2009 Juvenile Turf, so wouldn’t point to trip being an immediate issue despite the fact that he’s got all of his recent form at 5 furlongs, although he did weaken badly in Neartic Stakes of last year; If getting towed into the race, will be right there, but needs to have everything drop right for him.

Corporate Jungle: Good winner of the Grade 2 Appleton Stakes back in March and excellent second to Wise Dan (clear best of the rest) in Grade 2 handicap at Saratoga; Dam was sprinter, and while he may be outpaced early, could come flying late if others fold; Not out of it.

Mizdirection: 2-2 over this course and distance (both Graded contests for fillies and mares) and excellent record fresh too, having won 4-5 over sprint trips with a break of 6 weeks+; Form stacks up fairly well for the Grade but crucially can be a closer as well and expected to sit back off advantageous draw also; Has to be taken seriously.

Chosen Miracle: Made the top two in three of her C&D starts and lost no caste when second to Unbridled’s Note latest, going 22.15 and 44 secs before holding onto second by a neck; Will have too much pace on for the lead to last home if calculations are right.

Unbridled’s Note: Third in Saratoga 7f events (Grade 2 Amsterdam and Grade 1 King’s Bishop) hinted at big engine and used that to great effect when winning on C&D debut despite taking keen hold; Should go very close here to say the least.

Starspangledbanner: Would be a clear favourite for this had it been run 2 years ago, when he was clearly Europe’s top turf sprinter after wins in the Golden Jubillee and July Cup; Since gone to sutd and comeback, but seems to retain only some of his ability after four stars, although can’t judge him on soft/heavy ground runs; Only fourth at Dundalk in prep for this but that over 5f (never his best trip, and drawn out wide) and does have the firm ground he wants; Interesting for all that others preffered.

VERDICT: As with the other occasions it’s been run here, this looks set to be a pace burnout and should really be going for a closer. UBRIDLED’S NOTE’S Grade 2 and 1 thirds are amongst the best form in this race, so to see her win so well over C&D here was a hugely encouraging sign and she looks a worthy favourite if sitting off the pace early here. MIZDIRECTION doesn’t have quite the same form, but her excellent record fresh along with two wins over C&D make her very attractive, while Coporate Jungle has to be respected here as a potential late closer.