Totally Boss speeds into Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint contention

Jim and Susan Hill's TOTALLY BOSS took a short lead nearing the mid-stretch marker and drove home a 1 1/4-length winner of the $684,640 Turf Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Saturday. The bay gelding endured six panels on the firm lawn in 1:09.21 in earning an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita on November 2.

Totally Boss has evolved into a consistently very good horse in 2019 with four wins and a second from five seasonal assignments. The Rusty Arnold trainee earned a hefty 101 BRIS Speed number in picking up his second consecutive stakes trophy, and he defeated an excellent field along the way.

Pacesetter Smart Remark held the place spot at whopping 69-1 odds, and he was followed by 7-2 second choice Leinster.

At Belmont Park on Sunday, another talented one stormed home in impressive fashion while dashing on the green. Beach Haven Thoroughbreds's UNCLE BENNY blew his rivals away late in the $100,200 Allied Forces, posting a 1 3/4-length triumph in the process. The three-year-old colt stopped the teletimer in 1:08.57 for six furlongs over firm turf.

The talented and versatile son of Declaration of War is a Grade 2 winner on the dirt and now a stakes star on the weeds. A superb second in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), the Jason Servis pupil is full of ability and has a very high ceiling with just two races under his belt this campaign.

Chilly in Charge finished second and was followed by Pulsate.

Here is my current top six contenders for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (North America only):

1. World of Trouble -- Multiple Grade 1 victor is the one to beat if he makes the race
2. Leinster -- 'Little Liberal' shattered course mark in Troy (G3) victory at The Spa
3. Totally Boss -- Peaking four-year-old continues to shine in 2019
4. Uncle Benny -- Under-the-radar sophomore has room to grow
5. Stormy Liberal -- Two-time defending champ is winless this year
6. Pure Sensation -- Eight-year-old aiming for fourth try in the Turf Sprint for Clement

(c) Coady Photography/Kentucky Downs