How to bet the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

An overflow field of 14 has been entered to take part in Saturday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). The incredibly well-matched field will go five furlongs on the lawn and features shippers from the East and Midwest, as well as a strong local contingent. Trainer Peter Miller has taken the last two editions of the race, and he will enter a trio of contenders in hopes of making it three in succession.

Turf Sprint Analysis

Eight-year-old #2 Pure Sensation (5-1) and #4 Shekky Shebaz (12-1) are the swiftest runners in the field and will vie early on. A slew of runners will be within range tracking that duo from the opening bell, including two-time defending champ #6 Stormy Liberal (8-1), #8 Legends of War (20-1), #9 Final Frontier (6-1) and #12 Belvoir Bay (12-1).

I think that both of the speedsters have a chance at the abbreviated five-furlong distance, but my top pick is out of the mare that has produced the winner of this race in the past two seasons at attractive odds.

Turf Sprint Wagers

• $30 Win #7 Leinster = $30
• $1 Exacta Box 1,2,4,5,7,9 = $30

Here is the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint entries and morning line odds:

#1 TOTALLY BOSS (5-1) -- One of two from the Rusty Arnold shedrow is a nose shy of five wins in succession as a prime candidate today. Peaking Street Boss gelding has a fine turn of foot but must overcome the tricky rail post in the field. Jose Ortiz taking the reins adds to the confidence level.

#2 PURE SENSATION (5-1) -- Old timer from the Clement barn might be best on turf with some give to it, but he is still a gem and looks to be the inside speed of the race. Zensational eight-year-old has won four of five in 2019, and he will be stubborn if he gets the edge in the early going on Saturday. Paco Lopez will be in the stirrups.

#3 IMPRIMIS (8-1) -- Gelded son of Broken Vow had a troubled trip when third at Keeneland most recently. The excellent dark bay could pop a big one in his third race since coming back from Royal Ascot. Frankie Dettori has the mount.

#4 SHEKKY SHEBAZ (12-1) -- Jason Servis charge has found his niche as a turf sprinter following a trio of sharp performances in succession. Cape Blanco gelding is very fast and will challenge for the lead at the start with Irad Ortiz Jr. up.

#5 STUBBINS (12-1) -- Win contender from the O’Neill barn impressed with his rallying win in the Woodford (G2) at Keeneland most recently. Talented sophomore is two-for-two at Santa Anita and has room for improvement as a three-year-old. Flavien Prat will guide the versatile Morning Line colt.

#6 STORMY LIBERAL (6-1) -- Two-time defending champ has not been as sharp as seasons past with an 0-for-6 mark in 2019. Miller pupil is still among the best at his trade, however, and acquiring John Velazquez is always a positive.

#7 LEINSTER (8-1) -- Half-brother to Stormy Liberal draws directly outside of his sibling for trainer Rusty Arnold. Majestic Warrior colt has shown big improvement since adding blinkers in February, and he had a perfect prep for this assignment when second at Keeneland last time out. Tyler Gaffalione stays in the silks.

#8 LEGENDS OF WAR (20-1) -- Grade 3 winner from the O’Neill barn comes in fresh but will need a career best to make the frame against this deep field. Scat Daddy three-year-old will be forwardly placed beneath Rafael Bejarano.

#9 FINAL FRONTIER (6-1) -- Ghostzapper colt has won or placed in six of his seven races on the turf, led by a win in the Belmont Turf Sprint in his latest venture. Godolphin homebred has run three big ones since August and will be a major factor with his best in his Golden State bow.

#10 EDDIE HASKELL (9-2) -- Consistently very good one from the barn of Mark Glatt is a graded winner on the course, and he comes in finishing first or second in nine of his last 10 races. Square Eddie gelding is also 9-for-14 at five furlongs, and he had a fine prep run on the course last time out. Joel Rosario sticks with the six-year-old.

#11 OM (15-1) -- Jaipur (G1) second has transformed his game to top turf sprinter since coming to the Miller barn. Munnings seven-year-old has good experience at Santa Anita, and he was sharp in a deep allowance win at Churchill in June. Chestnut will enter off of a pair of recent bullet drills.

#12 BELVOIR BAY (12-1) -- Classy mare was a going-away victress the last time she ran five panels on this lawn. The third of the Miller trio has beaten the boys in the past and could be especially dangerous if able to overcome the widest draw.

Also Eligibles:

#13 GIRLS KNOW BEST (20-1) -- Fleet mare will add a lot of pace to the race if she gets in. Kenneally pupil has led at the first and second call in each of her last eight turf dashes, and she would be a contender at a price if one of her foes drops out of the race.

#14 DOUBLE TOUCH (30-1) -- Sadler trainee closed to be a willing fourth in the Eddie D. (G3) last out, but the chestnut would be a surprise from this draw against a fine field.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Entries