by Steve Myrick

A field of nine is set to contest the $1-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) over seven furlongs on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park.

Ventura, last year’s Filly and Mare Sprint winner, leads the top flight group of sprinters. The five-year-old Juddmonte Farms homebred turned in a scintillating performance last year, winning by four lengths. and has been nothing short of brilliant this year. Ventura won the Santa Monica Handicap (G1) and Woodbine Mile Stakes (Can-G1) and finished second int eh Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (G1) and Vinery Madison Stakes (G1) in four starts this season.

Garret Gomez returns to ride, and will start from the outside post.

“It doesn't matter,” said Ruben Loza, assistant to trainer Bobby Frankel, of the post. “She deserves to be the favorite.”

Informed Decision will have plenty to say about the outcome. The Filly and Mare Sprint probably will be the last race for the four-year old Monarchos filly owned by Augustin Stable, according to trainer Jonathan Sheppard.

“She's been a big part of my life, the last three years,” Sheppard said.

Julian Leparoux will ride Informed Decision, who has five wins from six starts this year and beat Ventura by a head in the Vinery Madison on April 9.

Sara Louise, Godolphin Racing's lightly raced three-year old Malibu Moon filly enters off a second-place finish to Indian Blessing by a head in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) on September 26 at Belmont Park.

Seventh Street, a Godolphin Racing filly by Street Cry (Ire), won the Go For Wand Handicap (G1) and was second in the Ruffian Handicap (G1) in her two most recent starts.

“We're a little apprehensive with these fillies,” said Rick Mettee, assistant to Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, “because they have no form on synthetics and their two main rivals, Ventura and Informed Decision, have very good form on synthetics.”

Todd Pletcher will saddle Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) winner Game Face in the Filly and Mare Sprint. Edgar Prado gets the call to ride.

“She's been a very consistent, hard-trying filly,” Pletcher said. “Certainly on her best day she should be competitive in this field. She's going to have to run the best race of her life to win it, but her best race puts her right there.”

Steve Myrick is a Massachusetts-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times