La Traviata opted for the new Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Oct. 26 rather than the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) the following day, making that race much more intriguing than it would have been had she opted to run against males.Still, she was made the second choice behind Dream Rush, the filly that enters of consecutive grade I scores.
A field of 10 was entered for the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, which will be the first Breeders' Cup race Oct. 26 at Monmouth Park and carry a purse of $1 million.
Dream Rush was installed the 2-1 favorite and La Traviata was made the 5-2 second choice. They are two of the three 3-year-olds in the race, the other being Baroness Thatcher.
Dream Rush, by Wild Rush, is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Lewis Lakin, and John Sikura. She has never been worse than second in six starts and has not been headed at any call in her last five starts. Trained by Rick Violette, she will be ridden by Eibar Coa and break from the three post.
La Traviata has been headed but has not been beaten in her three starts, all this year. The Johannesburg filly will be saddled by Francois Parisel, having been transferred to his care by trainer Patrick Biancone, who has begun serving a suspension.
Owned by Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, La Traviata made her debut in June and in just three starts, all impressive and by a combined 28½ lengths, she has become the second choice in a Breeders’ Cup race.
Miss Macy Sue, by Trippi, another with speed and a winner of five of six this year for trainer Kelly Von Hemel, drew the rail and was made the co-third choice at 6-1 with Oprah Winney, who has not been worse than third in six starts in 2007.
"I’m just anxious to watch the race," Terry Finley of West Point said following the draw. "We know they like La Traviata and we like our filly. In fact, the whole field looks very competitive to me."
