Looking for Bomb in FanDuel Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs

A full field lines up in Saturday’s $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint (G1) at Kentucky Downs. (Photo credit: Kentucky Downs).

A field of 12 plus one also-eligible was entered for Saturday’s $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint (G3), one of five stakes on an outstanding card at Kentucky Downs.

The winner of the Turf Sprint earns a fee-expenses paid trip to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar this November. The race is one of two Breeders’ Cup Challenge races on the card.

The $1 million Calumet Turf Cup (G2) winner earns a starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The race drew a full field of a dozen along with four also-eligibles.

The other stakes on the card are the $600,000 Franklin Simpson (G2), the $750,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) and the $600,000 Mint Ladies Sprint (G3).

In the Turf Sprint, Got Stormy will take on the boys again after winning the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) against males in her last outing going a mile at Saratoga. In 2019 the Mark Casse trainee ran second against the boys in back to back races in the Woodbine Mile (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

“Obviously, she’s not afraid of colts,” Casse said. “I think we’re wanting to prove that she is one of the elite turf mares of this century. Maybe with her Fourstardave, another (win against males) might get her into the Hall of Fame.”

Got Stormy Wins Fourstardave ‘Cap

Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard the mare again and she is the 9-2 second choice on the morning line. Casa Creed, who was third in the Fourstardave was installed as the 7-2 morning line favorite.

There are plenty of options for value seekers. Among those is the speedy Bombard (10-1) from the Richard Mandella barn and Fast Boat (10-1) who is coming off a victory in the Troy (G3) at Saratoga in his last outing.

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Let’s head out to Kentucky Downs for Saturday’s featured race of the day:

Kentucky Downs Race 8 The FanDuel Turf Sprint G3 4:09 CT

3 Bombard 10-1

9 Got Stormy 9-2

2 Fast Boat 10-1

7 Casa Creed 7-2

Bombard

The Mandella trainee makes his first start since May where he took the field gate to wire to win the Daytona (G3) at Santa Anita going 6 ½ furlongs on turf. The runner up Majestic Eagle was second in the Wicker in his most recent start, the third-place finisher Commander was beaten a half-length when second in the Simon Lure in his next start and the fourth-place finisher Law Abiding Citizen won the Oak Tree Sprint in his next outing and then was fourth beaten ¾ of a length in the Bing Crosby (G1). Our top pick set the fractions in this race last year and was beaten just a neck when landing in a deadheat for second over soft ground. He is better on firmer ground which he is going to get today and he faces a group without a ton of early zip despite the large field. The gelding has been working well for his return off a 3 ½ month break for Mandella who is 29% winners (with a +ROI) with runners coming back off a 61–180-day break. If he can shake loose early, he could be tough to catch.

Got Stormy

She takes on the boys again and has run well in open company. Last out at a mile she tracked the early pace and finished gamely to win the Fourstardave ‘Cap (G1) at Saratoga. She won the Ladies Sprint (G3) here last year over soft ground at 6 ½ furlongs. Her fifth in the Jaipur (G1) two back was her lone trip at six furlongs but she has won graded stakes at both 5 ½ and 6 ½. Coming off an outstanding Spa meeting Gaffalione has had a rough start to this meet going 1 for 25 through the first three days. He needs to keep her a bit closer here and should be a threat in the stretch.

Fast Boat

This gelding is coming off a career top winning the Troy last out going 5 ½ furlongs at Saratoga. Last year Imprmis used the Troy as a prep coming back to win this race. The gelding has one trip over the turf here, winning a starter allowance race back in 2019. He seems to be best at 5 or 5 ½ furlongs but sure seems like he should appreciate the extra half furlong and the long stretch here. Sharp is sending out live runners winning three races over the first three days of the meet. Rosario picks up the call and the 10-1 morning line looks fair enough.