Sprint Diary

SPRINT DIARY

JULY 8, 2005

by Jordan Strickler

The big event on the calendar for sprint fans is Saturday's Summit of Speed program, which features eight

stakes races worth $1.9 million at Calder Race Course. The Princess Rooney H. (G2) for fillies and mares

highlights the event and is topped by Grade 1 winner MADCAP ESCAPADE (Hennessy), who is coming off a disappointing

fifth-place in the Humana Distaff H. (G1). The four-year-old earned victories in

both the Shirley Jones H. (G2) and Madison S. (G3) this year and is a very

credible threat for this one, winning both previous attempts at six furlongs.

Her rivals include SENSIBLY CHIC (Distorted Humor), who

comes off a decisive score in the Vagrancy H. (G2).

A lot of eyes, however, will be up on the undefeated

four-year-old HAPPY TICKET (Anet), who pretty much flew under the radar as the

female version of LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier). The Andrew Leggio trainee won

eight straight in her home state Louisiana before branching out of Cajun country and trying

the graded waters for the first time in the Chicago Breeders' Cup H. (G3)

last out. The result was pretty much

the same as her previous outings as the Louisiana-bred won by 3 1/2 lengths.

The boys will come together to contest the six-furlong Smile

Sprint H. (G2), and SILVER WAGON's (Wagon Limit) late-running style could

benefit the gray. He performed well in Metropolitan H.

(G1) last out, gamely closing in the stretch to be second to Horse of the Year Ghostzapper,

and at least six of his Smile rivals are confirmed speedballs. With fast fractions

likely, the four-year-old should have ideal conditions for his closing run. In order to have his picture taken,

Silver Wagon will have to overcome DON SIX (Wild Escapade) and WOKE UP DREAMIN

(Holy Bull), two accomplished sprinters who also have a good chance of taking

this one.

A lot of press has been given to Lost in the Fog in the

Carry Back S. (G2), and he avoided serious competition in the Smile to compete

against what appears to be overmatched three-year-old rivals. However, a good fight on the

front end is possible with stakes winner CRAWFISH KING (Just a Cat) present, and that

offers an opportunity for DAZZLING DR. CEVIN (Cutlass

Fax), who has shown some good late speed, to move in at the end and pull off the

upset. However, we'll most likely be treated to another wire-to-wire treat from

the unbeaten Lost in the Fog.

In other sprinting news, KELLY'S LANDING (Patton) pulled off an

upset in the Aristides Breeders' Cup H. (G3) at Churchill Downs. Not only did

the four-year-old dark bay manage to win the six-furlong affair as the longest

shot on the board, he also managed to set a new track record in the process. The

Eddie Kenneally trainee stopped the timer in 1:07.59, eclipsing the former

record of 1:07.77 set by 2000 sprint champion Kona Gold for his run in that

year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).