2011 Breeders Cup Sprint Could be “Big Drama”

An interesting short-distance contest is really unfolding in the build-up to the 2011 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs. It looks weighted towards the American contenders as the 6f dirt specialists assemble from all corners of the globe. The bulk of the competition will be gunning for the likes of Big Drama – who has come back onto the track with as much verve as he showed before his previous lay-off.

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The one really complicating things is hotshot three-year-old The Factor. He looks like Bob Baffert's best shot at capturing at least one Breeders' Cup trophy. Baffert has a high-quality line-up shipping in from his home base of California but, having campaigned several on the east coast on the Grade circuit, he has more dirt performers than he has been known for in the past – Baffert has a genuine chance to win several trophies this year.

The Factor captured the Grade 1 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar on Pacific Classic day but was a beaten fourth to the impressive Amazombie in a rollicking performance in the Grade 1 Ancient Title Stakes. The Factor was sent off as a slim 2/5 on the day and that's likely why he's trading as a tepid secon-favourite with a 5/1 listing instead of high-rolling the market as the outright choice.

Amazombie, a five-year-old gelding by Northern Afleet, has had a lengthy campaign this year having kicked off 2011 with a score in the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Santa Anita over the impressive Apriority. A half-length second to Quick Enough in an ungraded stakes a month later paved the way to back to back victories in a Grade 2 and an ungraded at Hollywood Park. He was then notably DQ'd at Hollywood and then finished third twice in a row to Euroears and Irrefutable in the summer. His score at Santa Anita came off the back of a a two-month freshening that he likely needed. Amazombie sits just behind The Factor at 6/1.

Smiling Tiger trades at 7/1 alongside Trappe Shot and both of them certainly look in the mix though some may wonder about the length of Smiling Tiger's season. He's been laid off since finishing fourth to The Factor in the Pat O'Brien at Del Mar. Jeff Bonde's chestnut finished third in this race last year and that came after a lengthy campaign as well so he is certainly capable of springing a surprise.

Euroears looked very sharp earlier in the year but has cooled off slightly, he trades at 8/1 ahead of 10/1 Camp Victory. Aikenite is the other notable longshot with a 20/1 listing.