All turf sprints are not created equal. A quick-twitch horse who excels going 5 1/2 furlongs might fail to see out six. And the Grade 2 Ladies Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs asks even more of a filly. Carded for 6 1/2 furlongs, a long run-up makes this contest more like seven, taxing for those short sprinters but made to order for “tweeners” who occupy a space between true route racing and short sprints. Take Secret Money for example, winless in five starts this year, four of those at five or 5 1/2 furlongs. In the 6 1/2-furlong Royal North at Woodbine, Secret Money ran below her best, and to make matters worse was disqualified from second for fouling the seventh-place finisher. In May, she missed by a neck in the Unbridled Sidney at Churchill, and on July 25 lost by a half-length in the Caress at Saratoga. “She’s handling those 5 1/2s better, but this is more her distance,” said trainer Brendan Walsh. Secret Money’s last win came in the Music City Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs at Kentucky Downs, which won’t go unnoticed. Expect Secret Money to come down from her 8-1 morning line. :: Kentucky Downs Package Available Now - Get All Access PPs, Picks, Players Guide for just $20! She is one of 16 entrants in the Ladies Sprint, which can accommodate 12 runners and offers a base purse of $900,000, with another $600,000 available for Kentucky-breds. She’s one of six who raced in the Caress, though Run for the Hills and Zeitlos sit on the also-eligible list. Others exiting the Caress are top two finishers Dontlookbackatall and Danse Macabre and eighth-place Kaufymaker. Dontlookbackatall got a clean outside stalking run to win the Caress by a neck, a career best for a 4-year-old with a three-race winning streak. The six-furlong License Fee marked the start of that streak, but Saturday’s distance ventures into the unknown. “We’re trying it because she settled so well last time,” said trainer Christophe Clement. “I know it’s ambitious but she’s a filly who keeps getting better.” Danse Macabre, who won the Untapable Stakes during the 2022 Kentucky Downs meet, rallied up the rail in the Caress, narrowly besting Secret Money, who beat her one length in the Music City. Last of 10 around the turn in the Caress, Secret Money closed steadily and in the final furlong came through a tight spot between Kaufymaker and Danse Macabre as pacesetting Future Is Now mildly obstructed her path. “She got in a lot of traffic,” Walsh said. Two West Coast horses, Ruby Nell and Ag Bullet, meet for the first time since a Santa Anita maiden race in January 2023, when second-timer Ag Bullet beat debuting Ruby Nell by more than three lengths. Ruby Nell has raced around two turns in nine of her last 10 starts, the lone exception a win in the 6 1/2-furlong Mizdirection Stakes. Ag Bullet cuts back from a sharp one-mile score in a restricted Del Mar stakes and is 3 for 3 at this distance. “Even though she won last time at a mile, 6 1/2 is probably the better race for her,” said trainer Richard Baltas, who added Ag Bullet would be placed close to the pace but doesn’t need to lead. Leading isn’t the important part. It’s who can finish things off at this longer turf sprint distance. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.