FanDuel Turf Sprint Preview: Wide-Open Race Part Of Massive Day At Kentucky Downs

FRANKLIN, KY – A full field of 12, plus 1 also-eligible, will run this Saturday at Kentucky Downs in the $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint Stakes (G3), which serves as a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” for the Turf Sprint.

Set for race 8, it shares the spotlight with 6 other stakes on one of the biggest race days of the year in the state of Kentucky. Post time for the race is set for 5:09 PM Eastern.

Leading the charge in this race is Got Stormy, who is coming off a major victory at Saratoga in the Fourstardave Stakes (G1). Last year, she won the the Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes (G3) over this track in her only start over this track. She’ll break from post 9 with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons once again.

Bill Mott holds a strong hand in this race, shipping in Casa Creed and Chewing Gum from New York. Casa Creed was third to Got Stormy in his last start; however, 2 races back, he won the Jaipur Stakes (G1) at this distance at Belmont Park. Chewing Gum was second to Casa Creed in the Jaipur but finished a poor eighth last time out in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga. Casa Creed will break from post 7 with Junior Alvarado aboard, while Chewing Gum will break from post 10 with Jose Ortiz in the saddle.

Another hot horse in the race is Fast Boat, who has won 3 of his last 4 starts. Last time out, he defeated a tough field at Saratoga in the Troy Stakes (G3), winning by a 1/2-length. He gets a new rider with the red-hot Joel Rosario jumping aboard, breaking from post 2.

The full field from the rail out: Diamond Oops, Fast Boat, Bombard, Gear Jockey, Born Great, Front Run the Fed, Casa Creed, Siem Riep, Got Stormy, Chewing Gum, Stubbins, and Imprimis. Also Eligible: Johnny Unleashed.

Top Choice

#12 Imprimis – He won this race last season, and when he’s on top of his game, he is very difficult to beat when sprinting on the turf. He didn’t run well at all in the Troy Stakes (G3) last time out, though, which explains why we’re getting a decent price on him here. This outside post draw should really benefit him and he should improve in his second start off the layoff. If he can get back to his top form, he might just be a little better than the rest of this field.

Horses to Use in Multi-Race Wagers

#9 Got Stormy – The filly takes on the boys once again here, commonplace for Got Stormy, who has become one of the most popular horses in training. She cuts back to 6 furlongs, which should be no problem, as she had plenty of success going short last year. She also won over this race track last season, so we know she likes it here as well. All systems seem to be set on go for her to run very well once again.

#7 Casa Creed – It’s hard not to use this horse, even though favorites tend to struggle at this track. If he can run back to his Jaipur Stakes (G1) victory last time out, then he’ll be hard-pressed to beat here. Last time out, he stretched out to a mile and still ran well, finishing third in the Fourstardave Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. He’s a classic horse who always shows up with a shot, no matter where he enters.

#6 Front Run the Fed – Keep an eye on this longshot, even though he’s no longer with Chad Brown. Last year, this horse came running late in this very same race and finished only a neck back in second. He can do it again here at a big price, especially if the pace starts to back up. Ricardo Santana Jr. jumps aboard, which is a good sign.

Exotic Plays

#2 Fast Boat – He comes in to this race hot, winning the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga in his last start, and even though he loses Tyler Gaffalione, he does get a great replacement in Joel Rosario. He might be just a small cut below our top few picks here, but he’s in great form, so it would be no surprise to see him win.

#10 Chewing Gum – If he can run back to his race 2 starts back, where he was second in the Jaipur Stakes (G1), then he can win this race. Unfortunately, he was a no-show last time out in the Troy Stakes (G3), which is causing a little bit of doubt. The bottom line is he does have trouble winning races, but his best effort can hit the board here.

Party Crashers

#1 Diamond Oops – There is no doubt this horse exudes class. He can run on both turf and dirt, and he’s also been in some of the tougher races on each surface as well. This year, we haven’t seen him jump up and run a huge race just yet, and 3 starts back he was defeated easily over the turf at Churchill Downs. However, we know this horse has a big race left in him, and at this price, he could sneak up on this field and make some noise.

#4 Gear Jockey – This horse comes into the race after 7 consistent efforts in a row, including a solid third-place effort last time out in the Troy. He hasn’t been able to take home a stakes race despite a few tries at it, but he’s in great form coming into this one, and this sprint distance is where he excels. He’s worth a shot at a big price.

Throw Outs

#3 Bombard – He comes into this race after a solid stakes victory at Santa Anita, but he hasn’t been seen in 105 days, which is a little concerning. Also, this race seems to be much tougher than what he’s been facing.

#11 Stubbins – At one time, this horse was one of the better sprinters in the country, but he’s had trouble staying on the track in the last couple of years because of injuries. He’s got the back class to get the job done here, but he’ll need to prove he can still run at this level.

#8 Siem Riep – He ran well in both of his last starts, but the waters get deeper here, which is likely to be a problem. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen this horse win a race.

#5 Born Great – This horse won on Kentucky Downs Preview Day at Ellis Park; however, the competition here is much different than what he saw last time out. He’s in with a chance, but he must improve off of that effort to have a chance here.

Also Eligible: Johnny Unleashed