kings of speed

By David John

British racegoers may be unfamiliar with the entries for the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs so David John takes a looks at some of the leading contenders:

Henny Hughes:

Finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile behind Stevie Wonderboy 12 months ago and is unbeaten in three runs this season. Those victories have been by a combined total of 18 lengths. His latest success came over six furlongs in the Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont at the start of October, showing no respect for his elders when he beat War Front in good style by two and three quarter lengths. "What he did today was impressive and we'll move on to November 4 full of confidence," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Bordonaro:

Boasts a record of three wins and a second from four runs in 2006, including in Grade 1 company at Santa Anita on October 7 by a length from Thor's Echo. Needs to be supplemented for the Breeders' Cup and connections are worried that four weeks will not be enough time to recover from his exertions as he prefers to have his races nicely spaced out.

Siren Lure:

Sidestepped a crack at the Ancient Title won by Bordonaro to use track work as his preparation for Churchill Downs. Previously won Grade 2 and Grade 1 handicaps over seven furlongs and has been described as an 'outstanding little horse' by trainer Art Sherman since being claimed for $50,000 at Bay Medows in May 2005. Has form on turf also and could be a possible for the Mile.

Silver Train:

Won the Breeders' Cup Sprint in 2005 at his favourite hunting ground of Belmont from Taste of Paradise. Ran no sort of race on his latest start in the Vosburgh when second favourite behind Henny Hughes and looks unlikely to take his chance at defending the title.

Too Much Bling:

Three year old grey gelding who will be taking on the older generation for the first time. Thrashed his peers last time in the Grade 3 Carry Back Stakes at Calder and is reported to be a 'neat, very professional and extremely talented horse' by trainer Bob Baffert. His handler also predicted he will improve with age and has been freshened up with the Breeders' Cup as his primary aim.

Dubai Escapade:

Carries the maroon and white colours of Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Eoin Harty. Flopped at Calder when 1/4 in mid-July but bounced back in the Ballerina Breeders' Cup Stakes over seven furlongs at Saratoga when dishing out an eight and a half length drubbing of Nothing But Fun. That was her first Grade 1 triumph and drew plenty of praise from jockey Edgar Prado, who said: "She was doing it super. As soon as she got her feet under her coming out of the gate I knew she was going to be very tough to beat."

Behaving Badly:

Stablemate of Too Much Bling who notched her ninth victory from 12 starts in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar. Had previously made hard work of justifying 1/4 favouritism at Belmont Park following an awkward start.

Pomeroy:

Beat War front over seven furlongs at Saratoga at the start of September in the Grade 1 Forego. "He runs so well fresh I don't think it will be a problem not to have another race between now and the Breeders' Cup," said trainer Marty Wolfson, who has done a remarkable job with the horse following surgery on an ankle problem last winter.

Attila's Storm:

Fourth behind the Silver Train in the Sprint 12 months ago. Finished third to Henny Hughes and War Front in the Vosburgh Stakes on his first run since the end of January and trainer Richard Schosberg is far from doom and gloom about the re-match on November 4. "The winner certainly deserves to be the heavy favourite. Obviously he ran a great race, but I think we'll have a little more for him down at Louisville."

Commentator:

Sent off 9/10 favourite in the Grade 1 Forego but could not recover from a slow break and beat just one horse home. A winner of eight of his 11 starts he has been given time to recover after what was a rough passage in that event and is reported to be 'training like a bear now' by trainer Nick Zito.

War Front:

Claimed second to both Henny Hughes and Pomeroy on most recent starts, rallying well to finish runner-up to the former in the Vosburgh. Can be relied on to run his race and pushed Silver Train all the way in the Tom Fool at Belmont in July - form which puts him right in the shake-up.