Ag Bullet, Bear River blaze to victory at Kentucky Downs

Although an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) was awarded to the longshot winner of the Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2) on Saturday, the more meaningful prep for the Breeders' Cup race perhaps occurred some 35 minutes before, when Ag Bullet made a successful title defense in the $1,994,300 Ladies Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs.

Ag Bullet's victory under Luis Saez was not as decisive this time around -- three-quarters of a length compared to 5 1/4 lengths last year -- but the five-year-old gray is already a proven commodity on some of racing's biggest stages. Beaten only a neck in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last fall, she's come back better than ever this season.

The Ladies Turf Sprint was Ag Bullet's second consecutive stakes win, following a two-length triumph over the boys in the June 8 Jaipur (G1) at Saratoga.

"She likes it here. She gallops good over the track. She likes going out and grazing. She likes the open air. She loves Kentucky Downs," trainer Richard Baltas said.

Over a course playing very fast through two cards of racing, Ag Bullet ran the 6 1/2-furlong distance in 1:14.38 over the firm ground.

"I think this is her distance," Baltas added. "She's gone 5 1/2 and won a Grade 1. She's so effective with her early speed that she can carry it. A mile might be a little too far for her, but this 6 1/2 (furlongs) hits her right in the nose."

Owned in partnership by Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran, Ag Bullet returned $5.34 as the favorite in the field of 12.

Simply in Front rallied for second, a half-length ahead of Jody's Pride. Time to Dazzle, Zeitlos, Ocean Club, Kehoe Beach, Danse Macabre, Oujda, Asternia, Irish Maxima, and Lunar Impact completed the order of finish.

Now a seven-time stakes winner, Ag Bullet has won eight of 15 starts and bankrolled more than $2.77 million. Baltas said the Kentucky-bred daughter of Twirling Candy would likely go to auction after the Breeders' Cup.

The aforementioned $1.87 million Kentucky Turf Sprint was won by 19-1 longshot Bear River, who led gate-to-wire to post a half-length victory over even-money favorite Howard Wolowitz. Khaadem, runner-up to Cogburn in last year's Kentucky Turf Sprint, finished third this time.

The order of finish was rounded out by Arrest Me Red, Pipsy, Arzak, Nobals, Implementation, Durante, Axthelm, Charcoal, and Air Force Red.

Ridden by James Graham for owner Charles Marquis and trainer Keith Desormeaux, Bear River ran six furlongs in 1:07.71 and paid $40.30.

In contrast to last season, when Bear River was kept active, posting five wins from 13 starts, the son of Flameaway has been campaigned more judiciously this term. The Turf Sprint was his second win in only three outings, and followed a neck triumph in the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint at Ellis Park.

"He's just got this other dimension of speed and finishing power as a four-year-old," Desormeaux said. "Maybe I ran him too much as a three-year-old. We gave him the time, and he just came back a monster."

The Turf Sprint was the fourth career stakes win for Bear River, who has now won seven of 22 starts with earnings of close to $1.7 million.

Dropping in class off a third-place finish in the June 6 Just a Game (G1), Special Wan rallied to claim victory in the $1,316,000 Ladies Turf (G3) under Joel Rosario.

The margin was a half-length over Segesta, with pacesetter In Our Time a fading third. The order of finish was rounded out by Cheshire Dancer, Charlene's Dream, Pin Up Betty, Lady Ilze, Sacred Wish, Movin' On Up, and Neom Beach.

Owned in partnership by Team Valor and Steven Rocco, the Brendan Walsh-trained Special Wan ran one mile in 1:32.40. She paid $6.44 as the favorite.

Group 3-placed in her native Ireland, the daughter of Belardo has now won three of five starts since her importation last year. Two of those wins have come at Kentucky Downs, the other in the Honey Fox (G3) at Gulfstream Park in March.