2009.09.29 The 43rd Sprinters Stakes - Handicapper's Report on the Japanese Contenders - News

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September 29, 2009

The 43rd Sprinters Stakes - Handicapper's Report on the Japanese Contenders

The Sprinters Stakes which is in its fifth year as the sixth leg of the Global Sprint Challenge series welcomes Scenic Blast (AUS, g5, by Scenic) from Australia. The winner of both the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (G1, AUS, 1,000m) and the King's Stand Stakes (G1, GBR, 1,000m), the Daniel Morton-trained gelding has a record of three G1 wins and eager to pick up his US$1 million bonus in this race while the following Japanese runners are expected to contribute in making this a tough race to win.

Ultima Thule

Ultima Thule (JPN, m5, by Fuji Kiseki, Rating: 108S) who is coming off her win in the Centaur Stakes which was her first grade-race victory, was already recognized for her high potential even before joining open class company. Her latest victory in which she held off the rest of the field by 2-1/2 lengths justifies how competitive she will be in her next start and her suitablity to the distance is well proven in her four wins and a second out of five career starts over 1,200 meters.

B B Guldan

B B Guldan (JPN, h5, by Chief Bearhart, Rating: 113S/M) was a surprise third-pace finisher in last year's Sprinters Stakes, but his performances during this season proves how well he has progressed since with two grade-race titles in the Hankyu Hai (G3, 1,400m) and the Keeneland Cup (1,200m) and he is now counted among the key runners in the coming race. Although beaten to 16th in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen following a disadvantage on the stretch, his effortless two-length victory in his last start was impressive. Not as consistent as Ultima Thule, but has the potential to beat her.

Laurel Guerreiro

Other possible candidates include champion sprinter of the 2009 spring season, Laurel Guerreiro (JPN, h5, by King Halo, Rating: 115S), who claimed the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March. A frontrunner whose results can depend heavily on how the race develops, the black bay can either fade away as he did when 14th in the Centaur Stakes or rise to the occasion when things turn his way.

Kinshasa no Kiseki

Last year's runner-up, Kinshasa no Kiseki (AUS, h6, by Fuji Kiseki, Rating: 114S) has not had much luck in his two starts this spring, but is a considerably talented runner nonetheless and has only to bounce back into shape.

* Sprinters Stakes (G1) - Nominated Horse International Ratings (PDF)

* The defending Champion, Sleepless Night, has been withdrawn from 2009 Sprinters Stakes due to a Tendon injury