SPRINT DIARY
JULY 8, 2005
by Jordan Strickler
The big event on the calendar for sprint fans is Saturday’s Summit of Speed program, which features eight
stakes races worth $1.9 million at Calder Race Course. The Princess Rooney H. (G2) for fillies and mares
highlights the event and is topped by Grade 1 winner MADCAP ESCAPADE (Hennessy), who is coming off a disappointing
fifth-place in the Humana Distaff H. (G1). The four-year-old earned victories in
both the Shirley Jones H. (G2) and Madison S. (G3) this year and is a very
credible threat for this one, winning both previous attempts at six furlongs.
Her rivals include SENSIBLY CHIC (Distorted Humor), who
comes off a decisive score in the Vagrancy H. (G2).
A lot of eyes, however, will be up on the undefeated
four-year-old HAPPY TICKET (Anet), who pretty much flew under the radar as the
female version of LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier). The Andrew Leggio trainee won
eight straight in her home state Louisiana before branching out of Cajun country and trying
the graded waters for the first time in the Chicago Breeders’ Cup H. (G3)
last out. The result was pretty much
the same as her previous outings as the Louisiana-bred won by 3 1/2 lengths.
The boys will come together to contest the six-furlong Smile
Sprint H. (G2), and SILVER WAGON’s (Wagon Limit) late-running style could
benefit the gray. He performed well in Metropolitan H.
(G1) last out, gamely closing in the stretch to be second to Horse of the Year Ghostzapper,
and at least six of his Smile rivals are confirmed speedballs. With fast fractions
likely, the four-year-old should have ideal conditions for his closing run. In order to have his picture taken,
Silver Wagon will have to overcome DON SIX (Wild Escapade) and WOKE UP DREAMIN
(Holy Bull), two accomplished sprinters who also have a good chance of taking
this one.
A lot of press has been given to Lost in the Fog in the
Carry Back S. (G2), and he avoided serious competition in the Smile to compete
against what appears to be overmatched three-year-old rivals. However, a good fight on the
front end is possible with stakes winner CRAWFISH KING (Just a Cat) present, and that
offers an opportunity for DAZZLING DR. CEVIN (Cutlass
Fax), who has shown some good late speed, to move in at the end and pull off the
upset. However, we’ll most likely be treated to another wire-to-wire treat from
the unbeaten Lost in the Fog.
In other sprinting news, KELLY’S LANDING (Patton) pulled off an
upset in the Aristides Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) at Churchill Downs. Not only did
the four-year-old dark bay manage to win the six-furlong affair as the longest
shot on the board, he also managed to set a new track record in the process. The
Eddie Kenneally trainee stopped the timer in 1:07.59, eclipsing the former
record of 1:07.77 set by 2000 sprint champion Kona Gold for his run in that
year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).