HALLANDALE BEACH, FL — Shisospicy, last year’s champion female sprinter, is progressing well in training as preparations gather pace for a possible return to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland later this year.
The four-year-old, trained by Jose D’Angelo, has been pointed toward the October 30-31 championships after making just one start this season. Her intended campaign was interrupted by minor health issues, but recent work has offered encouragement as she prepares for another major assignment.
Shisospicy produced one of the biggest performances of her career last autumn when she defeated male rivals in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. That victory established her among the leading sprinting talents of her generation and gave D’Angelo his first Breeders’ Cup success.
Her only start this year came in the Unbridled Sidney (G2) at Churchill Downs on May 1, where she finished seventh. Plans for appearances in Dubai and New York were subsequently abandoned after minor setbacks, including a recent temperature that ruled her out of a scheduled six-furlong turf race at Belmont Park.
The daughter of champion sprinter Mitole has since returned to steady training at Saratoga. She has recorded six workouts, with her latest effort particularly encouraging. Shisospicy covered a half-mile in 46.93 seconds on Saturday, the fastest time among 133 horses working at the distance.
D’Angelo was pleased with the progress.
“She had a very good work at Saratoga,” D’Angelo said. “It was the first workout since she was out for a little bit with a little temperature. That’s why we skipped the race we were supposed to run at Belmont. Now we are pointing to the Breeders’ Cup. It’s the only race we have now going forward. She’s been training very good.”
Shisospicy has won six of her 10 career starts and has earned more than $2 million in prize money. Her record, combined with her previous Breeders’ Cup success, makes her return one of the more anticipated stories surrounding the sprinting division.
Shisospicy Leads D’Angelo’s Breeders’ Cup Plans
D’Angelo also provided an update on Bentornato, another major winner from his stable. The sprinter finished second in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) and the True North (G3) earlier this year before suffering a small sesamoid fracture following a workout in July.
The horse is currently recovering at the farm, with another examination planned before a possible return to training.
“He’s at the farm. I saw him when I went to Keeneland for the sale and he looks pretty good,” D’Angelo said. “We are waiting 30 more days to recheck him and probably back to training.”
Another horse attracting attention is four-year-old Spirited Boss, who worked three furlongs in 37.40 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday. The effort was her first since finishing sixth in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint (G1) on August 29.
Spirited Boss, winner of the Monrovia (G3) at Santa Anita in April, is being aimed at the Perfect Sting at Belmont on October 23. D’Angelo believes the seven-furlong distance should suit her better than either a short sprint or a mile.
“She’s doing great. She’s here,” D’Angelo said. “We are planning to run her in New York. She’s a horse that five furlongs is too short for her and a mile is too far. We have the seven furlongs over there so that is the plan.”
D’Angelo also outlined plans for Itza Boss, who is expected to return over five furlongs on turf on October 10, while Gabaldon is being prepared for another start following a runner-up finish at Del Mar on August 16.
For D’Angelo, however, the immediate focus remains on the Breeders’ Cup and the continued progress of Shisospicy. Her latest Saratoga work has provided a positive indication that the former champion is moving steadily toward a return to the highest level.
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