The complexion of both Breeders’ Cup sprint divisions changed drastically last week when the star filly Echo Zulu was injured during a morning workout at Santa Anita. Echo Zulu, expected to be pre-entered in both the Sprint and Filly and Mare Sprint, was breezing in company with stablemate Gunite when she suffered sesamoid fractures. She underwent surgery, is currently resting in California, and the hope is that she will become a broodmare once healthy. Echo Zulu’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, still has a strong confirmed Filly and Mare Sprint contender in Society, a winner of her last two starts with Beyer Speed Figures of 105 and 107, respectively. :: BREEDERS’ CUP 2023: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more for each division A Grade 1 winner around two turns last year before finishing seventh of eight in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Society has seemingly found her true calling as a seven-furlong specialist. She breezed a solo half-mile in 49.80 at Santa Anita on Oct. 13. Echo Zulu’s injury leaves last year’s Filly and Mare Sprint winner, Goodnight Olive, as the 8-5 favorite on Brad Free’s preliminary morning line. Second to Echo Zulu in Saratoga’s Ballerina on Aug. 26, Goodnight Olive has never finished off the board in 11 starts. Trained by Chad Brown, Goodnight Olive breezed an easy half-mile in 49.44 seconds last Saturday at Belmont Park. Caramel Swirl, elevated from third to first in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom on Oct. 1, drilled a half-mile in a bullet 47.66 seconds over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track on Oct. 13. The California contingent is still somewhat unsettled, but may be led by stretch-running Kirstenbosch, upset winner of the Grade 3 Chillingworth at Santa Anita on Sept. 29. Kirstenbosch breezed a half-mile in company on Oct. 13 with 4-year-old Bright Leaf, a two-time winner who most recently finished sixth in a $40,000 claimer at Del Mar on Aug. 26. It was a bit of a lackluster work for Kirstenbosch, who finished about a head behind her mate before galloping out several lengths behind. :: DRF Breeders' Cup Packages on sale now! Get everything you need to win and save up to 32% off the retail price.  Eda, whose seven-race win streak was snapped by Kirstenbosch in the Chillingworth, is questionable for the race, according to trainer Bob Baffert. Chillingworth runner-up Clearly Unhinged breezed a half-mile in 47.80 on Oct. 14 for trainer Michael McCarthy. A 3-year-old filly, Clearly Unhinged might target the Filly and Mare Sprint or wait for a race like the Grade 1 La Brea in December Desert Dawn will likely be pre-entered in the Filly and Mare Sprint but it appears her most probable destination is the Distaff. Japan’s Meikei Yell is likely to be pre-entered in both the Filly and Mare Sprint and Turf Sprint. Trained in Japan by Hidenori Taka, Meikei Yell has never raced on dirt but her second dam was a three-time listed stakes winner over the surface. Meikei Yell finished fifth, beaten two lengths, in her most recent appearance, the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes on Oct. 1. There have been two notable defections from the Filly and Mare Sprint. Sterling Silver, who finished first, but was placed second by disqualification in the Gallant Bloom, will remain in New York for a local stakes opportunity. Hoosier Philly is considered unlikely for the Filly and Mare Sprint, according to trainer Tom Amoss. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.