How to bet the 2021 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
Gamine winning the Test S. (G1) at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photography/NYRA)
November 3rd, 2021
As Breeders' Cup races go, the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) is an odd duck wagering-wise. It drew a small field of six (with one expected to scratch) and will have the shortest-priced favorite of the weekend: #5 Gamine (3-5), who may start at an even shorter price come post time.
Even if you like to bend over backwards to beat chalk, sometimes you have to admit the favorite is the goods and build around them. That looks like the case with Gamine.
Gamine will have more speed to deal with up front than she does in most races, with #6 Bella Sofia (5-2) drawn outside of her. If Bella Sofia hits the gas hard, or if Gamine's break isn't perfect, perhaps someone can try to pick them up.
The most likely suspect for such a trip is #4 Ce Ce (4-1), who has rounded into better form than ever since focusing specifically on extended sprints instead of bouncing between those and routes.
However, think back to last year. Gamine did not get away perfectly in the Filly & Mare Sprint, but she still stalked Serengeti Empress, took over, and won with absolute confidence.
Gamine remains sharp this year. Last out in the Ballerina S. (G1), she finished well clear of Ce Ce despite being accompanied early by #2 Estilo Talentoso (12-1), who is expected to scratch from the Filly & Mare Sprint.
Two back in the Great Lady M S. (G2), Gamine was accompanied early by another one in the Filly & Mare Sprint field, #3 Edgeway (12-1). Gamine still drew off late like it was no matter. Edgeway could improve with a better start, and her last-out victory at Del Mar bodes well for her returning to this footing, but Edgeway has yet to prove she can stay for more than a minor award while having to go Gamine-fast early.
#1 Proud Emma (20-1) rounds out the field. It's difficult to see her improving enough to win this, though she does tend to find her best at Del Mar. Trainer Peter Miller came so loaded to the 2017 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, it will be no surprise if he hits just as hard in 2021. Proud Emma should bounce back, but she'll have more than anyone else to do late.
In short, what is the best way to bet the Filly & Mare Sprint? Lean hard on Gamine as a single in multi-race wagers where you have longshots in others legs. If you insist on playing exactas or trifectas in this race, use in-form Ce Ce and Del Mar-loving longshot Proud Emma under Gamine.
But first and foremost, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
The video below contains all available race replays for Breeders' Cup contenders' last racing effort, for your handicapping ease. TwinSpires has your back!
ADVERTISEMENT
