2012 Breeders’ Cup: Filly & Mare Sprint preview

Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
7 Furlongs, Dirt
Three-years-old and up, fillies & mares
$1,000,000

Day: Saturday, Nov. 3^rd
Post Time: 3:35pm ET
TV: NBCSN

A quick perusal through the past performances for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint illuminates the fact that there is very little “need to lead” speed in this year’s Filly & Mare Sprint field. Dust and Diamonds (I’m guessing the owners are Saved by the Bell fans) is the only filly in the field that consistently runs and wins while racing on the lead. All of the other fillies and mares tend to run to their best when sitting just off of the early speed, including the even money favorite Groupie Doll.

Groupie Doll has simply dominated all of her rivals during 2012, winning her last four races (all at the graded stakes level) by 6 ½, 3 ¾, 7 ¼ and 3 lengths, respectively. She’s not only winning, she’s running away from her competition each and every time she step on the track. Three of her last four races have come over synthetic surfaces but her lone dirt effort in the sequence might be the strongest race of her entire career (Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs). Simply put, Groupie Doll is the best female sprinter on the continent.

If you’re playing the Pick 3, 4 or 6, Groupie Doll is the logical single in the sequence and will be covered by 99% of all players. If you’re trying to cash a light exacta, trifecta or superfecta, and you’re willing to take a risk, there are some long shots that might make sense to play above and below Groupie Doll. Other than that, it’s tough to get away from the clear class of the field.

9-Groupie Doll (EVEN)
6-Turbulent Descent (5/1)
2-Belle of the Hall (20/1)