International Flavor in Sprint Pre-Entries

With 21 pre-entries, the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) is oversubscribed and has attracted an international field. Hong Kong has its first-ever Breeders' Cup entry in Rich Tapestry, who will face the best sprinters from the U.S.  as well as Wind Fire, a filly from Europe.

Four are listing the Sprint as second preference.

Last year's winner, Secret Circle, will return for trainer Bob Baffert, who also conditions undefeated 3-year-old Sprint hopeful Indianapolis. Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman own 5-year-old Secret Circle (Eddington  —Ragtime Hope, by Dixieland Band). Secret Circle has started only twice since last year's Sprint win, finishing second in the Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. I) and third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (gr. I).

Rich Tapestry won the Sprint Championship in his first U.S. start, beating last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) winner Goldencents   (pre-entered in the Dirt Mile) by a nose. Michael Chang trains the 6-year-old son of Holy Roman Emperor—Genuine Charm, by Sadler's Wells, for owners Silas Yang Siu Shun, Won Tai Wai, Ho Chi Keung, and Cheung Yuk Tak.

Coming from the East Coast, 5-year-old Palace won this year's Forego Stakes (gr. I) and Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, after an earlier victory at Belmont Park in the True North Stakes (gr. II). Trained by Linda Rice for owner Antonino Miuccio, the son of City Zip  —Receivership, by End Sweep, most recently finished third in the Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont.

Good Friends Stable's Private Zone defeated Palace in the Vosburgh, winning the race by a neck over Dads Caps, who was not pre-entered in the Sprint. It was Private Zone's second Vosburgh victory. Last year he won the race when trained by Doug O'Neill. But because of O'Neill's suspension, Alfredo Velazquez now trains the 5-year-old son of Macho Uno  —Auburn Beauty, by Siphon.