BC Fillies & Mares Sprint – (Grade l)

Purse $1,000.00 – For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward

7 Furlongs – Dirt – Keeneland – October 31, 2026

The 20th edition of the BC Fillies & Mares Sprint draws an exceptional cast, with proven seven-furlong ability running deep throughout the fourteen runners. History shows just how much is at stake, as 15 of the past 19 winners went on to earn the Best HRP Female Sprinter award—a trend this year’s contenders will be eager to continue. You can’t talk about the BC Fillies & Mares Sprint without mentioning Lady Sammyantha, who returns for her fourth straight appearance. The back-to-back winner in 2023 and 2024 enters with 19 graded stakes victories and more than $5,500.00 in lifetime earnings! The owners’ leaderboard features a four-way tie at the top, including Dynark Stables, Mb Stables, The Sidley Stud, and D J C Racing Stables who each have reached the winner’s circle twice since the first running in 2007. With three entries for Mb Stables and two for The Sidley Stud, both have multiple opportunities to emerge as the race’s winningest owner. Mo Mentum Farm, meanwhile, will try to go back-to-back in this race after Lille scored by a head last year. The stakes record was set back in 2012 when Avery Island closed impressively from off the pace at Santa Anita, stopping the clock in 1:20.78. That time still stands as the fastest any female has completed the seven furlongs at The Great Race Place. Enough history—let’s go through this stacked field to see who will make their way to the winner’s circle on Saturday!

1. Exciting – (Maxmillion Farm, S X. Bridgmohan) Exciting arrives off consecutive seven-furlong victories in the CT Oaks (G2) and Dogwood (G3). She rallied from just off the pace to take the CT Oaks by a quarter length before adding a half-length victory in the Dogwood last time out. Earlier this season, this homebred daughter of Blaze Ahead won the Fantasy (G2) and finished second in both the DEL Oaks (G3) and IND Oaks (G3). Her ninth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) is her only finish outside the top two in seven starts this year. A five-furlong work in 58.12 earlier this week suggests Exciting remains sharp heading into this assignment. Proven at the distance and consistently competitive in graded company, this three-year-old will certainly be a serious contender in here.

2. So Beautiful – (Temulac Farm, F. Pennington) Remains winless in five starts this season but enters off three consecutive graded placings at seven furlongs. So Beautiful missed by three-quarters of a length in the Derby City Distaff (G1) before finishing third in both the Chicago (G2) and Ballerina (G1). Her latest effort saw her rally from last to finish just a length behind the winner. Last year’s victories in the Chillingworth (G3) and Bessarabian (G3) further establish her credentials against graded company. This California-bred’s closing style should benefit from a contested pace, although she will need a clear passage when making her run. So Beautiful has the class and distance credentials to contend but must find a little more closing punch to end her winless season.

3. Belong To Me – (TwinTowersRacing, M. Franco) Belong To Me looks to rebound from a seventh in the Princess Rooney (G3), where she finished three lengths behind the winner over this distance. She had previously shown her ability against top company when closing for third in the Test (G1) just half a length off the winner. The TwinTowersRacing homebred also owns a seven-furlong graded victory after springing a 129-1 upset in the Beaumont (G2) in April. Consistency remains a concern as she has finished outside the top three in three of her last four starts. This filly generally settles toward the rear and would appreciate a strong pace to help bring her late run into play. Seven furlongs clearly suits her, but Belong To Me will need to reproduce her Test performance to be a serious factor here.

4. Acapulco Gray – (Maxmillion Farm, A. Jimenez) This three-year-old filly has been a model of consistency this season with three wins and four seconds from seven starts. Acapulco Gray secured her first graded victory last time out when rallying to take the six-furlong Prioress (G3) by half a length as the favorite. That breakthrough followed narrow runner-up finishes in the Beaumont (G2), Eight Belles (G2), Victory Ride (G3) and Test (G1). Her three seven-furlong starts have all produced seconds and she missed the Test by only a neck. She continued her preparations with a seven-furlong dirt work in 1:23.30 at KEE on October 21. Acapulco Gray’s reliable closing kick and consistently strong graded efforts make her a strong contender as she seeks her first victory at this distance.

5. Lady Sammyantha – (The Sidley Stud, J R. Velazquez) Lady Sammyantha returns for her fourth straight appearance in this race after winning back-to-back editions in 2023 and 2024. She comes off an eighth in the TC of America (G2) but finished only a length behind the winner. That followed a victory by a half length in the Seaway (G3) over seven furlongs on a sloppy WO track. Her other win this season came at this distance in the Vinery Madison (G1) alongside third-place finishes in the Inside Information (G2) and Chicago (G2). Her results have been mixed this year but this eight-year-old will go down as one of the best sprinting females HRP has ever seen. 22 wins from 60 career starts and 19 of those coming in graded company is simply amazing. What a story it would be to win another.

6. Chase The Money – (Avenue Z, A A. Gallardo) Finished third in the PID Masters Stakes (G2) last time out after closing from near the rear to miss by a length. Her lone victory this season came in the Hendrie (G3), where she scored by three-quarters of a length over six and a half furlongs. Chase The Money also placed in the Winning Colors (G3) and missed by a neck in the seven-furlong Distaff Handicap (G3). Her two most recent attempts at this distance were less productive with a fifth in the Chicago (G2) and sixth in the Ballerina (G1). This daughter of Chase My Tail generally does her best work late and should appreciate a strong early pace. She is capable of picking up a share but will need to improve on those recent seven-furlong efforts to challenge for the win.

7. Sitting Bulls Champ – (Mb Stables, L. Saez) Sitting Bulls Champ finished fifth in the TC of America (G2) last time out, but was beaten only three-quarters of a length. That followed a third in the KD Ladies Sprint (G1) on turf where she set the pace and missed by half a length. This Florida-bred had previously led throughout to win the Great Lady M (G2) by a length over six and a half furlongs. The five-year-old mare has won five of eight starts this season and also finished second in the Whimsical (G3) back in May. She typically races on or near the lead and should be a prominent part of the early pace. Her current form commands respect, but Sitting Bulls Champ must carry her speed an extra half-furlong to hold off this field’s proven seven-furlong runners.

8. Honey – (Martyparty, G, Corrales) Secured her berth with a neck victory in the TC of America (G2) last time out, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier. The Martyparty homebred has won four of six starts this season with additional graded victories in the Whimsical (G3) and Honorable Miss Handicap (G2). Her seven-furlong efforts this year produced a second in the Bed o’ Roses (G2) and fifth in the Ballerina (G1). A runner-up finish in last year’s Bessarabian (G3) provides further evidence that she handles this distance just fine. Honey has won both on the lead and from a stalking position, which gives her options depending on how the pace develops. Her latest victory certainly makes her a contender, although she must reproduce that finishing punch over an additional half-furlong.

9. Dreambits – (Mb Stables, P. Lopez) Dreambits returns to seven furlongs after setting the pace and finishing fourth in the Cotillion (G1) over a mile and a sixteenth. She was beaten only a length there after previously defeating Acapulco Gray by a neck in the Test (G1). This filly is unbeaten in three starts at seven furlongs with victories in the Forward Gal (G3) and last year’s Golden State Juvenile Fillies. Her route form also includes a GP Oaks (G2) victory, plus a third in the Acorn (G1). The Mb Stables filly generally races prominently and has shown she can carry her speed effectively over this trip. The cutback to her most productive distance makes this California-bred particularly appealing as she ranks among the leading contenders. Don’t let Dreambits get away on the front end.

10. Reflex Action – (The Sidley Stud, E. Equivel) Returns to seven furlongs following a ninth in the six-furlong ONT Fashion (G3) last time out. Her previous second in the PID Masters Stakes (G2) was more encouraging as she led into the stretch before yielding late. Reflex Action also finished just half a length behind the winner when fourth in the Bernardo Stakes (G3). Her lone win from nine starts this season came in the Inside Information (G2) where she led throughout at this distance to spring a 55-1 upset. A front-running victory in last year’s Pumpkin Pie provides another example of this mare’s effectiveness over seven furlongs. The distance is a positive, but Reflex Action needs to reproduce her better graded efforts and conserve enough early pace to withstand the late challenges.

11. Houseofidentity – (Noblepark, J. NavMarin) This homebred daughter of Houseoffun returns from a layoff after finishing fifth in the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) in July. She had previously won a five-furlong allowance at ALB following a runner-up finish on a muddy track at MTH. Her strongest form comes from earlier in the year with consecutive victories in the Las Flores (G3) and Lukas Stakes (G2). Both of those efforts came at double-digit odds closing from off the pace. This four-year-old’s only subsequent start at this distance resulted in a last-place in the Distaff Handicap (G3). A return to her early-season form would make her competitive, but the layoff and mixed recent results leave her with something to prove. I’m going to look elsewhere.

12. Gigafemme – (Big Guns Stables, M E. Smith) Gigafemme comes into this race off a one-length victory in the Ballerina (G1), which was a “Win and You’re In” qualifier. That followed a win by the same margin in the Chicago (G2) and gave her consecutive graded victories at seven furlongs. The Big Guns Stables homebred also won last year’s CT Oaks (G2) and La Brea (G1) over this distance. Her recent wins have come from off the pace and she should have several forwardly placed runners to target here. A bullet six-furlong work in 1:10.21 at KEE on October 12 suggests this filly remains sharp following her Ballerina success. Her combination of proven class, quick works and repeated success at seven furlongs makes her my top pick in here.

13. Zifi – (Mb Stables, R. Santana Jr.) Comes off a nose victory in the Raven Run (G2) after leading throughout over seven furlongs. This three-year-old filly had previously finished half a length behind Exciting in the Dogwood (G3) after setting the early pace. A third in the CT Oaks (G2) and fourth in the Eight Belles (G2) add depth to her record at this distance. Zifi has won twice and finished in the top three seven times from nine starts this season. This New York-bred consistently races on or near the lead and should be prominent leaving the gate. She faces stronger opposition here, but Zifi’s improving seven-furlong form gives her a chance if she can avoid an early duel. The thirteen-post will also be hard to overcome as she will need to clear the field heading down the backside.

14. Barossa Valley – (Mo Mentum Farm, B. Curtis) Barossa Valley arrives off a nose victory in the Bloom Handicap (G2) going six and a half furlongs. That ended a run of near misses during a season that has produced one win and five seconds from eight starts. Her recent sprint form also includes runner-up finishes in the Twin Bridges and seven-furlong Seaway (G3). The daughter of Cross Of Lorraine brings considerable route experience with placings in the Royal Delta (G3), Shawnee (G2) and last year’s Spinster (G1). Her stamina should serve her well at this trip, although her preference for racing prominently could draw her into a contested early pace. Barossa Valley looks competitive on her recent sprint form as Mo Mentum Farm seeks consecutive victories in this race.

————— Also Eligibles —————

15. Viking Cat – (Bigchief Stables) Viking Cat comes in here off a close third in the Chillingworth (G3) last time out. She won the seven-furlong Distaff Handicap (G3) in April and also placed in the Bed o’ Roses (G2). Her proven graded form at this distance makes her a credible contender if she draws in.

16. Cold At Knight – (Our Athletes) This homebred for Our Athletes won the seven-furlong Eight Belles (G2) in May. She has struggled in three subsequent at this same distance and was last in the TC of America (G2) last time out. Cold At Knight needs a significant return to form if she makes the race.

17. Complicated Crazy – (TwinTowersRacing) Complicated Crazy won two straight at PID later in the summer, including the PID Masters Stakes (G2). She then finished ninth in the TC of America (G2) most recently. This New York-bred’s best form has come over shorter trips and she needs to make a huge rebound in here.

18. Dolphin Bay – (TwinTowersRacing) Finished second in the seven-furlong Chicago (G2) and third in the Shuvee (G2) this summer. She has since finished seventh in the Ballerina (G1) and eighth in the Zenyatta (G2). Dolphin Bay will need to rediscover her earlier graded form if she gets lucky enough to draw in.

– AJM

Categories: BC 2026, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP