Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing's Shisospicy has shown no shortage of speed in her eight lifetime starts, and that speed could carry her to history Nov. 1 should she win the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar.
It is not uncommon to see a female horse beat the boys in the event—an occurrence that has happened five times since its induction in 2008. However, no 3-year-old filly has ever taken home the winning prize.
That's a challenge that the owners, trainer Jose D'Angelo, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. are ready to take on after the filly breezed an easy three furlongs in :37 over the Keeneland dirt Oct. 23.
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Ortiz was aboard for the work, stating that the daughter of 2019 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Mitole was in "great condition." According to Ortiz, the race's five-furlong distance could play as the great equalizer to any age or sex disadvantages.
"It's not easy, but five furlongs makes it a lot easier," Ortiz Jr. said. "If you have speed earlier in the race, that helps. Hopefully, she can show what she can do because she's quick, can give you a good turn of foot, and she can stay on. That's what we need. I think she can do it, she's got the ability."
D'Angelo said that the two-time graded stakes winner has shown significant growth since her 2-year-old season and continues to improve.
"She's getting better. More mature, more focused," D'Angelo said. "Running against older horses is tough for the 3-year-olds, especially first time out, but she's ready. I'm very confident in her."
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Gin Gin Bounced Back Strong After Tough Spinster Battle
Joining Shisospicy on the Keeneland work tab Thursday morning was Calumet Farm's Gin Gin, who breezed an easy half-mile in :49 2/5 in her first breeze back from a gutsy victory in the Oct. 5 Spinster Stakes (G1).
The move was designed to be a simple "pipe opener" by Brendan Walsh as she remains fit and ready for a date with the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Despite outbattling top-class Nitrogen after putting away the reigning Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna, in the Spinster, the homebred daughter of Hightail has emerged no worse for wear.
"You're always afraid—she put in such an effort in the Spinster—you're afraid that she might not come back as good," Walsh said. "But she's been eating and drinking and training great since. She'll go out there and we'll take our chance."
